March 18,24

Development of Task Forces

LSC launches task forces on natural disasters and the opioid epidemic. Task force members work to identify access-to-justice barriers and best practices in these areas to help low-income Americans. Other LSC task forces soon follow, focusing on veterans, housing issues and rural communities. 

March 18,24

Leaders Council is formed

LSC’s Leaders Council is formed to help raise public awareness of the current crisis in legal aid. It consists of high-profile and influential leaders from different industries. Three years later, LSC creates the Emerging Leaders Council, which includes some of the country’s rising leaders.

March 18,24

LSC provides disaster relief

The Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief bill includes $1 million for LSC to provide assistance to low-income people in areas significantly affected by the super storm. Over the next decade, LSC receives increased supplemental funding to support disaster recovery, about $120 million in the past few years including COVID-19 funding.

March 18,24

Start of Pro Bono Task Force

LSC convenes the Pro Bono Task Force to consider how to effectively increase pro bono involvement by all lawyers. A key recommendation from its final report is the creation of a fund to encourage new ideas for engaging pro bono assistance.  A few years later, President Obama signs the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014, which includes $2.5 million for LSC to establish the Pro Bono Innovation Fund. By 2023, the fund had awarded 139 pro bono grants totaling more than $40 million. Other LSC task forces follow, starting in 2018.