i4J Develops New Tool for Leaders Interested in Developing Community-Based Justice Worker Programs

Community-based justice worker (CBJW) programs—programs that train and certify individuals working at community-based organizations to offer legal advice and services in certain case types—are sprouting up across the U.S. to help address the seismic gap in legal services. These models largely target low-income individuals and require modification of, exemption from, or waivers to unauthorized practice of law restrictions. In this February 2024 expert opinion, Innovation for Justice (i4J) provides an overview of the diverse landscape of CBJWs and offers a menu of design choices for regulatory innovation leaders to consider as they are developing CBJW programs, such as:

• What are the unmet community needs that the community-based justice worker model would be addressing? 
• Who in the community is trusted and positioned to meet those needs? 
• Will the service model require UPL reform? 
• Who will do the training and mentoring? 
• Who will credential the justice worker? 
• Will this service model need insurance? 
• What will be the scope of service?

I4J’s recently released US Community-Based Justice Worker Programs Information Chart expands upon this menu and provides granular information about the design choices that various jurisdictions are making across the US. The data included in the tabs within the chart were gathered through a combination of publicly available information searches, discussions, and email communications with program administrators. This tool and IAALS' Unlocking Lega Regulation Knowledge Center are designed to serve as a starting point for leaders within the legal profession who are interested in exploring or developing a CBJW program.