Blog of Voices for Civil Justice: 2015 Archives


Voices is Growing!

December 22, 2015 - 10:28 am
We are pleased to announce that Voices will add a fourth staff member in early 2016. Please help us spread the word.


A Call for New Reports and Research in 2016

December 18, 2015 - 12:39 pm
We are finding that reports and research are among our best news hooks to pitch to journalists, so please keep Voices in mind as you plan for 2016. We’re excited to close out 2015 with a very strong example of what’s possible.


A Word to the Wise from Yogi Berra

November 24, 2015 - 6:54 pm
by Elizabeth Arledge

If you and your colleagues are like the Voices team, you’re deep in the throes of 2016 planning. We have a recommendation to help you be smart about using communications to advance your organization's goals.


Join Voices at the 2015 NLADA Annual Conference

November 2, 2015 - 6:14 pm
The Voices team has put together two sessions to help you identify strong story ideas and develop good working relationships with reporters. Put us on your schedule!


Using Op-Eds to Raise the Profile of Civil Legal Aid

September 30, 2015 - 1:46 pm
by Elizabeth Arledge

Early this month, as we were contemplating media opportunities related to new poverty data slated to be released by the U.S. Census Bureau, we wondered: What might happen if we invited members of the JusticeVoices network to write op-eds for local publication, using the news hook offered by the updated numbers?


Criminal justice attention offers a powerful opportunity

September 19, 2015 - 9:59 am
With criminal justice reform at the forefront of America policy discussion, we have a powerful opportunity to highlight the critical role of civil legal aid in a fully functioning justice system.


Applying for HAMP? You’ll Need a Lawyer. Plus, 10 Years Post-Katrina, Civil Legal Aid Still Key to Recovery

August 31, 2015 - 7:03 am
If July was a “hot” month for civil legal aid in the media, August was no slouch either. Here are a few late-summer developments.


Think Miracle Whip

August 24, 2015 - 4:05 pm
In these last dog days of summer, we call your attention to…Miracle Whip! That's right - Miracle Whip dressing. Kraft Foods spends 90 percent of its Miracle Whip marketing dollars on people who already use it. We can employ this approach to build a strong brand for civil legal aid as well. After all, in civil legal aid as in dressing, the “base” - that's you! - is the best messenger.


A Hot July for Civil Legal Aid

July 31, 2015 - 2:36 pm
by Elizabeth Arledge

July was a blockbuster month for civil legal aid in the media, thanks in large measure to your willingness – from staff attorneys to a cabinet level secretary – to raise your voices on behalf of civil legal aid. Legal aid was featured in national news stories, a popular NPR show, first-person posts and the TalkPoverty Radio. This roundup, with links, tells how the JusticeVoices network made it happen.


Getting In On The Action

July 17, 2015 - 10:29 am
by Martha Bergmark

In recent weeks, we’ve noticed an exciting uptick in the number of media pieces that cite civil legal aid programs and advocates as sources. Now we have an opportunity to improve our messaging and how we are portrayed in the media.


American Lawyer Magazine calls on largest firms to increase support for civil legal aid

June 29, 2015 - 6:12 pm
Kudos to American Lawyer Magazine today for boldly challenging Big Law to boost its support for civil legal aid.


How Voices for Civil Justice Can Help You

June 18, 2015 - 2:06 pm
by Elizabeth Arledge

How Voices for Civil Justice works with programs across the country.


Join Voices at the Equal Justice Conference

April 7, 2015 - 1:18 pm
by Elizabeth Arledge

Will you be at the Equal Justice Conference in Austin? If so, you are cordially invited to attend the May 7, 2015 lunchtime networking session hosted by Voices for Civil Justice.


2 Strong Media Hits, 2 Good Models

March 23, 2015 - 10:58 am
by Elizabeth Arledge

Two recent media hits show how Voices can work with legal aid advocates to produce strong media coverage.


Welcoming Voices’ New Communications Associate!

February 27, 2015 - 1:28 pm
by Elizabeth Arledge

We are delighted to introduce and welcome Søren Rasmussen, who joined the Voices for Civil Justice staff this week as Communications Associate.


We’d Like To See More of This

February 27, 2015 - 9:31 am
by Elizabeth Arledge

This op-ed seamlessly weaves messaging about civil legal aid into its main, substantive message about how to combat homelessness and unhealthy housing.


Let Voices Help You Publicize Your New Reports or Research

January 30, 2015 - 6:05 pm
Voices is eager to help you get media coverage for new reports/research. The catch is, to do so we must know about them IN ADVANCE.


Civil #LegalAid Storms into 2015

January 26, 2015 - 7:48 pm
by Elizabeth Arledge

Civil legal aid advocates from 26 states tweeted 545 calls for President Obama to include legal aid in his State of the Union Address.