<strong>Justice</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>Golden</strong> Th<strong>is</strong> law-related education exhibit was made possible by the generous support of the Lou<strong>is</strong>iana Bar Foundation.
WELCOME TO THE “<strong>Justice</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>Golden</strong>” EXHIBIT Legal aid programs provide ass<strong>is</strong>tance that keeps faith with one of America’s core values, equal access to justice, changing the lives of low-income people and improving communities. Locally, Acadiana Legal Services and Southeast Lou<strong>is</strong>iana Legal Services (<strong>SLLS</strong>) deliver civil legal help to thousands of our most vulnerable community members. On a daily bas<strong>is</strong>, legal aid lawyers prevent the loss of shelter, income, personal safety, medical care, family stability, and other human rights. An Economic Impact Study released by the Lou<strong>is</strong>iana Bar Foundation in 2017 found that for every $1 invested in civil legal aid, there <strong>is</strong> $8.73 of social return on investment through immediate and long-term benefits as well as taxpayer savings. Providing civil legal aid <strong>is</strong> not just the right thing to do, it simply makes sense. – Chief <strong>Justice</strong> Bernette Joshua Johnson I am especially honored to welcome you to the “<strong>Justice</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>Golden</strong>” <strong>Exhibit</strong> as I was a legal aid attorney early in my career managing the Lower Ninth Ward office of the New Orleans Legal Ass<strong>is</strong>tance Corporation (NOLAC), <strong>SLLS</strong>’ predecessor in the New Orleans area. Back then, NOLAC was dubbed “an experiment” in a 1970 Times Picayune news article attracting legal minds “all motivated by a desire to ass<strong>is</strong>t the poor.” Despite a difficult start, constant funding challenges, efforts to d<strong>is</strong>mantle the program, and the overwhelming legal needs of Lou<strong>is</strong>iana’s high poverty population, civil legal aid has helped ensure a more just society. Th<strong>is</strong> <strong>Exhibit</strong> commemorates <strong>SLLS</strong>’ <strong>50th</strong> <strong>Anniversary</strong> and its impact over the past five decades. Key to that success <strong>is</strong> <strong>SLLS</strong>’ dedicated staff, volunteers, board, and partners. Strong support from the judiciary, practicing lawyers, bar associations, elected officials, law schools, the philanthropic community, and other stakeholders has been critical to its achievements. Though much remains to be done, we can all be proud of advancements in justice through the work of Lou<strong>is</strong>iana civil legal aid programs. I hope you enjoy th<strong>is</strong> <strong>Exhibit</strong> reflecting on <strong>SLLS</strong>’ h<strong>is</strong>tory, as we focus together on laying a strong foundation to increase access to justice for the next fifty years.
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