For many rural Louisianans, accessing civil legal assistance can mean long drives, missed work, and added family challenges. To help remove these barriers, we partnered with the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Access to Justice Commission and Lagniappe Law Lab to launch Justice on the Geaux, bringing legal resources directly into underserved communities.

In January 2025, we hosted four free civil legal fairs in Beauregard, East Carroll, LaSalle, and Concordia parishes, near existing Legal Help Access Points. Community members were able to apply for legal services, attend educational workshops, and meet one-on-one with attorneys.

Sessions covered family law, custody, veterans’ benefits, successions, estate planning, and self-help legal resources. Local organizations and community partners also participated, connecting residents with services and support.

The events highlighted Louisiana’s Legal Help Access Points, technology-enabled kiosks located in libraries and community agencies that provide access to legal aid applications, court forms, self-help materials, virtual attorney consultations, and remote court proceedings.

Across the four events, 74 residents connected with legal professionals and community partners. Participant feedback revealed a strong demand for wills, successions, and estate planning assistance, helping us better understand and respond to the legal needs of rural communities.

As the civil legal aid provider for 42 Louisiana parishes, we continue to expand access to justice through innovative outreach efforts and strong community partnerships, ensuring more residents can obtain the legal help they need, closer to home.