What good are laws in protecting your rights and liberties if you can’t afford a lawyer? There’s no constitutional guarantee to an attorney in any civil case — cases outside of criminal law.
And yet, one's personal safety, security, and independence can hinge on civil law.
In a complex system like ours, without an attorney it can be hard to know when the law is on your side, let alone how to argue your case or follow procedures to ensure your protection. Too often, people with limited means are shut out of meaningful participation in Wisconsin’s legal system.
The Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, Inc. (WisTAF) exists to address this issue. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, we are proud to be the state’s channel for civil legal aid funding established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Since our founding in 1986, WisTAF has awarded and overseen millions of dollars in grants ($64.8 million to be precise) to organizations throughout the state. Our investment helps the most vulnerable residents in every Wisconsin county to access services that open the door to the justice system — including advice and representation from attorneys.
With this access, clients can pursue the legal outcomes needed to realize stability, health, and self-sufficiency, in turn benefitting our state as a whole.
Would you like to help? Here's you can become one of our incredible partners and support civil legal aid.
What is Civil Legal Aid? (cc) from Voices for Civil Justice on Vimeo.
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