The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is a private, nonprofit corporation established by Congress in 1974 with bipartisan sponsorship and the support of the Nixon administration. Its mission is to seek to ensure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans by providing civil legal assistance to those who otherwise would be unable to afford it.
Vol. 75, No. 11, November
2002
What is the Legal Services Corporation?
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is a private, nonprofit
corporation established by Congress in 1974 with bipartisan sponsorship
and the support of the Nixon administration. Its mission is to seek to
ensure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans by
providing civil legal assistance to those who otherwise would be unable
to afford it.
The LSC is headed by an 11-member Board of Directors appointed by the
president and confirmed by the Senate. By law, the board is bipartisan:
no more than six members may be of the same political party. The LSC
does not provide legal services directly. Rather, it provides grants to
independent local programs. In 2002, the LSC will fund 179 local
programs. Together they serve every county and congressional district in
the nation, as well as the U.S. territories. Special service areas also
address the distinctive needs of Native Americans and migrant farm
workers.
The legal services delivery system is based on several principles:
local priorities, national accountability, and a strong public-private
partnership. Local programs are independent entities, governed by boards
of directors drawn from the local bar and client community. All legal
services programs must comply with laws enacted by Congress and the
implementing regulations promulgated by the LSC.
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