SLLS 50th Anniversary Justice is Golden Exhibit Program Book

Birth of the
Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
By 1971, the idea of an independent national legal services entity began to take root. A bill to create the
Legal Services Corporation (LSC) “immune to political pressures and a permanent part of our system of
justice” was proposed. The bill was vetoed. In 1973, the Nixon Administration proposed a new bill. In the
end, 24 restrictions were added limiting the types of cases that could be taken, restricting lobbying and
rulemaking, limiting class actions, and eliminating funding for training centers. After extensive wrangling,
the bill became law on July 25, 1974 as the Legal Services Corporation Act of 1974. It was one of the last
bills Nixon signed before resigning.
The LSC Act created a private, nonprofit corporation controlled by an independent bipartisan Board
appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. It received federal funding from Congress to
make grants to local programs throughout the country under an organized national framework. It also
had responsibility to ensure its grantees were complying with restrictions. Distinguished Louisiana jurist
Justice Revius Ortique, Jr., one of NOLAC’s founding Board members, was appointed to the first LSC Board.
LSC funding provided resources to support the opening of nine different civil legal aid providers across
Louisiana. A “minimum access” plan was developed with the goal of two lawyers for every 10,000 poor
people based on federal poverty guidelines. For the first time ever, all 64 Louisiana parishes were served
by a legal aid office, though legal needs continued to outpace available resources and program capacity.
By 1981, LSC was funding 325 programs in the states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, Micronesia, and Guam.
Acadiana Legal Service Corp.
Lafayette, LA
Kisatchie Legal Services Corp.
Natchitoches, LA
. .
Northwest LA Legal Services
Shreveport, LA
Capital Area Legal Services Corp.
Baton Rouge, LA
New Orleans Legal Asst. Corp.
New Orleans, LA
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Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
Hammond, LA
Legal Services of Central LA
Alexandria, LA
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North LA Legal Services
Monroe, LA
Southwest LA Legal Services,
Lake Charles, LA