The Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission was created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court at the request of the State Bar of Wisconsin to aid the courts in improving the administration of justice. Our mission is to develop and encourage means of expanding access to the civil justice system for unrepresented low-income Wisconsin residents.
Who are we?
We are volunteers who encourage innovation, collaboration, and coordination to help improve the civil legal aid system in Wisconsin. We help ensure that good ideas get the consideration and support that they deserve.
What is civil legal aid?
It is the network of public and private resources that ensure fairness for all in the justice system, regardless of how much money you have. It includes online self-help resources and forms, volunteers, and staffed legal services offices. Together, they help build stronger communities. Watch this short explainer video below to learn more.
Civil Legal Aid Animated Video Explainer – Produced by Illinois Equal Justice Foundation and The Kresge Foundation from Voices for Civil Justice on Vimeo.
WISATJ News
Notes From The bench
Hon. Carolina Maria Stark, Milwaukee County Circuit Court / WisTAF Board of Directors Lack of civil legal representation impacts the quality of judicial decisions, the confidence of litigants in the legal process, and the efficiency of the courts. As a
In praise of volunteers
Volunteer attorneys are a critical part of how we deliver access to justice in Wisconsin. There are not enough staff attorneys in our legal aid offices and public defender program to represent or advise everyone who qualifies for their help.
Free Legal Answers 2021 in Review
Wisconsin Free Legal Answers continues to provide a convenient way for qualifying Wisconsin residents to request free legal advice from volunteer lawyers. Throughout the pandemic, pro bono lawyers have volunteered their time to answer basic legal questions about civil law
2021 Pro Bono Honor Society Nominations Sought
Attorneys who have provided at least 50 hours of qualifying pro bono services in 2021 are eligible for the 2021 Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society. Honorees will be recognized on the Access to Justice Commission website and in the June
Measuring Justice in Wisconsin
Wisconsin received its annual report card in the latest Justice Index, an assessment tool developed by the National Center for Access to Justice.
Civil legal aid Moves Wisconsin forward
The Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission has a longstanding commitment to increasing funding for civil legal aid from all sources, public and private. Civil legal aid has a history of bipartisan support in Wisconsin. So, we are pleased to see
