Rural communities across the country face persistent challenges in accessing legal services. This webinar explores the barriers that contribute to these gaps and highlights innovative approaches to strengthening the rural legal workforce, modernizing service delivery, and expanding access to justice through policy, regulatory, and community-based solutions. Learn more about Rural Access to Justice.
Why It Matters
Research consistently shows that rural communities across the United States and Canada face some of the greatest challenges in securing legal representation and access to justice in the nation.
- 94% of civil legal issues of low-income rural households go unresolved each year
- More than half of all rural counties in America are considered "legal deserts," with few or no lawyers available to serve residents
- The percentage of households living below the national poverty level is 30% higher among rural communities than the national average, making it harder for rural households to afford legal representation
- Rural residents often have to travel long distances to towns or cities, making legal services less available and more expensive to access
- Rural communities typically have lower broadband coverage, making virtual legal services less accessible