Arkansas Access to Justice

08/27/2026

📣 Final Call: submit your nomination by Friday

08/25/2026

Volunteer attorneys and law students needed for Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Bowen School of Law in Little Rock. Register at https://aa2j.org/FLA. Please share widely! 🙏‼️⚖️

Access to justice begins with members of the legal profession who are committed to serve their communities, and ensure that everyone has equal access to justice under the law. ❤️⚖️

Arkansas Access to Justice is deeply grateful to the wonderful volunteers who came together to provide pro bono legal assistance to 11 Arkansans using the Arkansas Free Legal Answers platform following the POWER Act CLEs at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. We thank the Court, Chief Judge Kristine Baker, Judge Deere, Judge Volpe, Clerk of Court Tammy Downs, Cory Wilkins, Katelyn Hays, and their team for their hospitality.

During the clinic, Attorneys Abby Brenneman, Amanda Kennedy, Chris Lassiter, and Edith Chavez De Oseguera, alongside law students Norma Kines, Jarret Brown, Morgan Kennedy, and Gabriel Estrada, helped put the profession’s highest ideals into action, honoring the Arkansas Attorney Oath.

Their commitment, knowledge, and compassion made a real difference in the lives of 11 Arkansans last Friday. But 11 is not enough! Right now, 145 Arkansans are waiting for legal help as they face some of the most difficult and uncertain moments of their lives, including divorce, domestic abuse, eviction, will and estate issues, personal injuries, employment disputes, and debt collections.

Behind every unanswered legal question is a person, a family, and a story. Your legal skills could be the difference in our clinics. Our next clinic is this Thursday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with an optional 1-hour Mixer to follow at Bowen LR.

If you are an attorney or law student, we invite you to join us! All you need is your laptop, your charger, and your willingness to help. We will provide the rest, including food and drinks, generously sponsored by the Arkansas Bar Foundation.

Volunteering is an opportunity to:

-Make a difference
-Earn CLE /public service credit
-Mentor and learn
-Explore areas of law that interest you
-Gain hands-on experience with real legal issues or share your wealth of expertise
-Strengthen the communities we live in, work in, and love

We are grateful to our sponsors and partners, the Arkansas Bar Foundation, Arkansas Bar Association, UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, and American Bar Association, for their continued commitment to expanding access to justice across our state.

Sometimes, access to justice starts with something as simple as showing up. Come this Thursday and help us make sure no Arkansan has to face a legal crisis alone. ⚖️❤️

08/19/2026

We hope to see you Friday!

08/06/2026

Hear from two of last year’s scholarship recipients about how our law student scholarship supported them and how much that support can matter during law school.

This year, we are doubling the opportunity by awarding four $2,500 scholarships to currently enrolled law students at Arkansas law schools.

Applicants may choose one of two essay topics:

• What access to justice issue is important to you and why?
• Discuss the pros and cons of using AI tools to bridge the justice gap.

Essays must be 500–1,000 words and submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, to [email protected].

➞ For complete guidelines, eligibility requirements, and submission information, visit AA2J.org/scholarship.

Watch the video, then share this opportunity with an Arkansas law student who should apply!

08/03/2026

Help us expand access to justice by serving low- and moderate-income Arkansans with their legal needs.

We need attorneys and law or pre-law students to volunteer for our Free Legal Answers In-Person Clinic.

We have 2 in-person clinics:

- August 21, 3:50 pm – 4:50 pm, In Person at the U.S. District Courthouse, Jury Assembly Room, 500 W. Capitol Ave, LR, AR 72201

- August 27, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, In Person at the Bowen School of Law, Student Lounge, 1201 McMath Ave, LR, AR 72202

We also need volunteers for the following virtual clinics:

- August 7, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Online
- August 21, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Online
- Sept. 11, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm, Online
- Sept. 25, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm, Online

During the August 21 in-person clinic, law students will have the opportunity help Arkansans in need while learning about domestic violence and attorney ad litem work through two optional POWER Act CLE panels. To register for the CLE and view more information about our panelists, visit: https://arkansasjustice.org/power-act/.

Space is limited, so please register early and be sure to select the correct clinic at: https://aa2j.org/FLA.

The August 27 clinic will be divided into two parts. During the first hour, volunteers will answer legal questions from Arkansans seeking assistance. The second hour will be a networking opportunity with food and drinks provided for law students and attorneys. Students may register under this same link: https://aa2j.org/FLA.

08/03/2026

Join us for the 2026 POWER Act CLE on Friday, August 21, at the U.S. District Courthouse in Little Rock or online via Zoom.

This free program includes two hours of CLE programming focused on trauma-informed representation, ethical advocacy, client storytelling, and the impact of bias in domestic violence and custody matters.

The program begins at 1:30 p.m. with opening remarks from The Honorable Kristine G. Baker, Chief U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

1 Ethics + 1 General CLE Credit
Attend online or in person | Free to attend

Following the CLE, attorneys attending in person may stay for an optional Free Legal Answers clinic from 3:50–4:50 p.m. and put these skills into practice by answering civil legal questions from low-income Arkansans. Additional pro bono CLE credit may be available based on time spent answering questions. The clinic requires a separate registration, which can be found on the event page linked below.

Friday, August 21 | 1:30–4:50 p.m.
U.S. District Courthouse
500 W. Capitol Ave., Little Rock

Registration is required for both online and in-person attendance. Learn more about the program, speakers, and panelists, register for the CLE, and sign up for the clinic at aa2j.org/poweract.

07/23/2026

Our latest Justice Report is out!

This issue includes new interactive deed forms on ARLawHelp.org, details about the upcoming POWER Act CLE, and a save-the-date for the 2026 Access to Justice Month Kickoff. You’ll also find information about award nominations, sponsorship opportunities, and other updates from Arkansas Access to Justice.

Read the full newsletter: AA2J.org/july26

07/20/2026

Attorneys do not always have to take on an entire case to make a meaningful difference.

Join us for Limited Scope Representation: An Ethics Primer, a free one-hour CLE covering the ethical and practical foundations of limited scope representation, also known as unbundling, in Arkansas.

The program will address:

• Ethical obligations under the Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct
• Structuring limited scope fee agreements
• Informed consent and documenting the scope of representation
• Client screening and managing expectations
• Practical tools and resources for offering limited scope services

Friday, July 31, 2026
Online via Zoom
1 hour of ethics CLE credit
Free to attend

Register here: AA2J.org/CLE

This CLE will cover the essentials of limited scope representation (unbundling) in Arkansas, including the applicable Rules of Professional Conduct, how to structure fee agreements, informed consent requirements, and strategies for managing client expectations.

06/17/2026

Law Students Needed for our Summer Arkansas Free Legal Answers Virtual Clinics!

Summer is one of the most important times for volunteer participation. As many legal service providers experience increased demand and changing staffing needs, volunteer attorneys and law students play a vital role in ensuring that low-income Arkansans continue to receive timely legal assistance. Every question answered can make a meaningful difference for an individual or family facing a legal issue.

Interested in making an impact? Join us at one of our upcoming virtual clinics:

📅 June 26, 2026
📅 July 10, 2026

Whether you are a seasoned attorney, newly licensed lawyer, or law student looking to serve your community, we invite you to get involved.

Register today at aa2j.org/fla

Together, we can help ensure that access to justice is available to all Arkansans.

A heartfelt thank you to the attorneys who have joined the Arkansas Free Legal Answers program in 2026: April Rogers, Marcos Perez, David Gardner, Jacob James, and Michael Cummings; as well as our continuous supporters, long-standing pro bono atttorneys, law students, the Arkansas Bar Foundation, the Arkansas Bar Association, the University of Arkansas School of Law, and the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law whose generosity makes this work possible. Your commitment to pro bono service and access to justice is helping expand legal assistance to Arkansans who might otherwise face legal challenges alone.

06/03/2026

Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 AATJ Law School Scholarship Essay Competition.

The Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation will award four $2,500 scholarships to law students enrolled at the William H. Bowen School of Law or the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Students are invited to submit an original essay responding to one of the two provided topics, which focus on access to justice issues and possible ways to bridge the justice gap.

Submissions close September 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

► View eligibility, essay topics, and submission details: AA2J.org/scholarship