Congressional Briefing to Highlight Legal Aid’s Importance to American Business

WASHINGTON – General counsel from leading American companies will gather April 26 to brief the Senate on the value of a fair and accessible justice system to the business community.

The briefing, “Why Is Legal Aid Important to American Business?” will explore the reasons businesses depend on a justice system that allows consumers, employees, and employers to access their rights and protections. The panelists will discuss the challenges of working in countries where people do not have confidence in the legal system, their own involvement in civil legal aid, and their partnerships with law firms and legal services providers in delivering quality legal services to low-income Americans.

“Access to equal justice brings predictability and stability to the lives of both employees and customers,” explained Teresa Wynn Roseborough, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, The Home Depot.

In addition to Roseborough, the panelists include John F. Schultz, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, Hewlett Packard Enterprise; and Max W. Laun, Vice President and General Counsel, Arconic, Inc. Legal Services Corporation (LSC) President James J. Sandman will moderate the discussion, and LSC Chair John G. Levi will provide opening remarks.

“Business depends on social cohesion and public trust,” said Laun. “Without equal access to justice, that trust is eroded.”

"We hear the argument that this is a states' rights issue, that the federal government should not be involved with the funding for legal aid services," explained Schultz. "In order to ensure equal access to justice across all 50 states, however, we need resources and coordination at the federal level. As chief legal officers at American corporations, we understand and believe in the necessity of continued funding for LSC."

The briefing will take place at 907 Hart Senate Office Building on April 26, 12–1:00 p.m. EDT. Members of the press are invited to attend.

The briefing will also be live-streamed via Facebook Live. To view the briefing, visit LSC’s Facebook page.

Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974. For 50 years, LSC has provided financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 130 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.  