2026 Equal Justice Conference

Legal Services Alabama, in partnership with the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program, presented a mini legal aid simulation at the state bar annual meeting. While the activity took less than 30 minutes, participants left with an understanding of how difficult it can be to obtain civil legal assistance, how the difficulty is increasing due to funding cuts, and how attorneys can step up to help. This session will be a roadmap to creating such a simulation and a discussion about how interactive experiences such as this can result in a deeper understanding and desire to help.

This session will open with brief presentations about the current status of funding for legal aid including updates on federal grants, cy pres, iolta, and significant developments regarding state/territorial legislative appropriations and/or court fines and fees revenue. Also, updates will be provided on the ABA's data collection process to support funding efforts. Participants will then be invited to share their challenges and successes related to funding in a roundtable format and learn from others about what currently works/does not work when trying to increase resources for civil legal aid.

This panel presentation will explore an underutilized tool for human trafficking survivors – civil litigation to obtain monetary compensation. Using case examples, the presenters will introduce the federal and state private rights of action for human trafficking victims, how to bring these claims, who they can be brought against, remedies available, related causes of action, and the interrelationship between civil suits and immigration relief. A lived experience expert will share his experiences as a plaintiff and recommend best practices for lawyers representing survivors in civil cases.

The Golden Years Challenge is an interactive experience that places participants in the roles of older adults managing the daily realities of aging. Modeled after poverty and re-entry simulations, it explores barriers like fixed incomes, mental/physical problems, healthcare access, transportation, and more. As older persons, participants gain empathy and insight into how economic and social inequities affect aging, while discovering ways to strengthen community support, promote inclusion, and advance justice for older adults.