The Alabama State Bar has launched Justice4AL.com, a vital resource designed to help Alabamians who need legal assistance but cannot afford it. This new website is an accessible gateway to legal aid resources, providing much-needed support to those facing legal challenges.

Justice4AL.com is designed with user-friendly navigation to make finding help as straightforward as possible. Users answer a few simple questions, and the site directs them to the appropriate services in their area. This ease of access is critical for people dealing with issues like landlord disputes, child custody matters, or obtaining a will, especially when they may not know where to turn for help.

The project was one of the main initiatives for Brannon J. Buck during his term as President of the Alabama State Bar in 2023-24. In talking to other lawyers and legal services providers, he found that many individuals and agencies were fielding calls for people looking for help.

Unfortunately, if a firm or organization couldn’t help, the caller could end up on a merry-go-round of phone calls trying to find the right resource. It was frustrating for them and discouraging for lawyers who just wanted to help.

Buck enlisted lawyers, judges, and representatives from legal non-profits to serve on the Justice for All Task Force. They identified what resources people in need of legal assistance were looking for, and where to find them. Together, they created the Justice4AL.com website.

“Justice4AL is an online gateway to these legal aid resources,” Buck said. “Many people in Alabama qualify for legal aid. They can’t afford a lawyer, don’t know any lawyers, and, often, don’t know where to start looking for help with a legal problem. This site is a one-stop-shop to find the answers you need.”

The website consolidates various legal aid providers into one comprehensive platform. This makes it easier for users to find assistance without navigating multiple websites. As more people interact with the site, it can grow to include new information and additional resources.

Justice4AL.com offers information about courthouses and court personnel, searchable by location. For those who can afford to pay for legal services, the site helps locate lawyers based on geography and practice area through the Alabama State Bar’s search function.

“It’s not a static site,” Buck said. “We can add additional information in response to needs and requests from users. It’s designed to be a dynamic resource.”

The Justice for All initiative aims to reach individuals when and where they need help most, ensuring that everyone has access to justice, regardless of their financial situation.

“We want to get the site to the people who need it, when they need it, wherever they are,” Buck said.

To ensure widespread awareness, the Alabama State Bar is coordinating efforts to display Justice4AL.com QR codes in courthouses, clerks’ offices, and public places across the state. Someone can simply scan the QR code, and it will take them directly to the site.

Felicia Long served as Chair of the Justice for All Task Force, and Eileen Harris and Josh Hayes co-chaired the task force. Members include Alexia Borden, Judge Henry Callaway, Judge Brent Craig, Chris Colee, Mark Debro, Peyton Faulk, Leon Hampton, Dawn Hathcock, Carmen Howell, Linda Lund, Matt McDonald, Holly Ray, Judge Burt Smithart, John Stamps, James Terrell, Judge Erin Welborn, and Leila Watson.

The Alabama Law Foundation, in partnership with the Alabama Access to Justice Commission, is helping to fund parts of the initiative.

Justice4AL.com stands as a beacon of hope for Alabamians in need of legal help, simplifying the process of finding assistance and empowering individuals to navigate their legal challenges with confidence.