Model Practices & Innovations

LSC's Model Practices & Innovations page offers numerous resources on providing and managing legal services, legal aid technology, and strategic planning.

Section Dropdown
Impact Advocacy Case Study: Legal Services NYC

This Model Practices & Innovations case study highlights the dedicated work of Legal Services NYC’s impact advocacy through its strategic litigation. Click below to read more.

Image
Pro Bono Info Sheet: Neighborhood Advocacy Program

This info sheet highlights Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s Neighborhood Advocacy Program! The Neighborhood Advocacy Program leveraged a Pro Bono Innovation Funding grant to expand its place-based pro bono partnerships, focusing on reducing neighborhood property vacancies in St. Louis, MO. Click below to learn more.

Image
helping hand
Grantee Fundraising Tips Video

This Model Practices & Innovations video highlights tips, strategies, and tools LSC grantees can utilize to enhance their fundraising efforts. The information in this video comes from the “LSC Technology Baselines: Technologies that Should Be in Place in a Legal Aid Office Today" report.

Tribal Advocacy Incubator Project: Montana Legal Services Association

Learn how the Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) established, piloted, and sustained its Tribal Advocacy Incubator Project to expand legal services in tribal communities by training tribal lay advocates. Click below to learn more!

Image
tribal advocacy in courts
Image
lsc.org_-_icons_-_content_type_-_publications_and_reports
Sign up for the new MPI Quarterly Newsletter here.
MPI Resources and Articles

Explore new MPI resources and articles on legal aid topics like technology, management, bridging the digital divide, evictions, and more!

Learn More about Model Practices and Innovations

  • Plan Strategically
  • Provide Legal Services
  • Management
  • Technology
  • MPI Newsletters
  • MPI Resource Archive

Strategic planning is especially critical in times of limited resources when the demand for service continues to rise. Strategic planning starts with an assessment of the most pressing legal needs and covers internal management, organization mission growth, and relations with your local community.

Learn how to: 

  • Conduct needs assessments and set priorities
  • Develop and implement strategic plans
  • Evaluate your organization's effectiveness and make adjustments

Legal aid organizations should treat those seeking assistance and clients accepted for services with dignity and compassion. Effective representation begins with a relationship of mutual trust and respect. Everyone at your legal aid organization should continually strive to maximize the effectiveness of legal services and achieve meaningful and lasting results on behalf of clients.

Learn how to:

  • Provide client access and conduct intake
  • Engage diverse populations
  • Provide language access
  • Represent clients effectively
  • Manage and supervise legal work
  • Engage volunteers
  • Assist unrepresented people in your community

A well-run legal aid organization is governed by a committed and involved board of directors that exercises independent judgment in carrying out its fiduciary responsibility to the organization. Key leadership, starting with the executive director, sets the tone for excellence by establishing a shared vision and mission and managing efficiently and effectively so that resources are preserved and allocated to achieve the greatest impact in the community.

Learn how to:

  • Achieve effective board governance
  • Lead effectively
  • Manage and administer the organization
  • Use technology
  • Establish responsible financial management
  • Communicate effectively internally and externally
  • Continue to grow resources

The use of technology in legal aid programs is constantly evolving in ways that increase efficiency and enhance service delivery for LSC grantees. The Best Practices Corner’s technology resources are designed to help grantees understand the current state of technology in legal aid offices, plan for future developments, and review successful projects and systems.

Find previously released editions of the MPI Quarterly Newsletter here.

Visit this webpage to access resources shared by LSC grantees on topics such as needs assessments, strategic plans, technology solutions, and more.

Contact MPI

Ask us questions and submit suggestions for new model practices and innovations.

Training & Technical Assistance Team
The Office of Program Performance