The "Justice Gap" is a systemic problem that cannot be solved by isolated efforts. Studies have shown that people who have legal representation are up to 1,000% more likely to have better result in court, yet, only 23% is aware that there is help available. Several emerging trends are now creating an opportunity for a community-based approach to address this problem
- 1. The need for legal help is on the rise:
- According to an American Bar Association study, about 40% of low-moderate income household experience at least one legal problem each year, yet legal aid services are only meeting about 20% of the need.
- The recent housing crisis and economic slowdown has further increased the need for legal assistance.
- 2. Adoption of technology and social media is wide-spread among the low-moderate income population:
- More than 70% of household with income less than $20,000 have access to the internet and 54% have broadband at home.
- Those with low-incomes are far more likely to use their phone as their primary internet device.
- 3. New generation of law students are gravitating towards practical training
- Legal employers and law students are no longer satisfied with traditional "theory-based" law school curriculum.
- Law schools are beginning to develop clinics-based training and experiment with ideas modeled after medical residency programs.
- New graduates and senior associates at big law firms are increasingly choosing solo or small practice over partner tracks at big law firms.
- 4. We all want to help
- More than 500 crowdfunding platforms have sprung up over the past few years, proving that given the opportunity, we all want to help make the world better.
- goFundMe.com along has raised over $1.25 billion dollars, more than the annual budget for legal aid (~$800 million).