A Vision for Justice and Leadership

For nearly 40 years, Equal Justice Works has led the charge in building a future where all people—regardless of income or zip code—can access the legal help they need.

At the heart of our mission is a simple belief: equal justice under law should be a reality, not a privilege.

We cultivate the next generation of public interest lawyers and community advocates, equipping them to respond to pressing legal needs across the country—from disaster recovery and housing instability to healthcare access and economic empowerment.

Why Now?

More than 100 million Americans face civil legal issues every year without representation. In nearly 75% of civil court cases, one side appears without a lawyer—often in life-altering matters like eviction, custody, or medical care. Despite this crisis, fewer than 1% of attorneys work in legal aid, and philanthropic support for this sector remains under 1% of all U.S. giving.

The result: Too little justice. Not enough help.

Our Solution

Equal Justice Works funds more than individual legal projects—we build the infrastructure for a stronger, more diverse, and more sustainable public interest law sector to ensure that people get the help they need. Our approach includes:

• Fellowship Programs that provide legal talent and leadership to underserved communities
• Pathways for New Advocates, from pre-law to law school and beyond
• Community Justice Innovations, like training non-lawyer advocates to meet critical local needs
• Public Awareness Campaigns that highlight the human toll of our civil justice gap and mobilize change

A Proven Model with a National Footprint

Our Fellows and alumni—over 2,700 strong—serve on the front lines of change, delivering direct services, influencing policy, and strengthening capacity at community organizations. After completing their Fellowships, 85% remain in public interest roles, sustaining impact for years to come.