Washington state’s publicly funded legal aid program that employs more than 100 lawyers and paralegals working in 17 locations throughout Washington.
Link to organization
Primary geographic focus: Washington
Organization type(s): Provider
Acronym or short name: NJP
Lists: LSC
Each year NJP provides critical civil legal assistance and representation to thousands of low-income people in cases affecting basic human needs such as family safety and security, housing preservation, protection of income, access to health care, education and other basic needs.
Northwest Justice Project (NJP), Washington’s publicly funded legal aid program. Each year NJP provides critical civil legal assistance and representation to thousands of low-income people in cases affecting basic human needs such as family safety and security, housing preservation, protection of income, access to health care, education and other basic needs.
NJP’s mission is to secure justice through high quality legal advocacy that promotes the long-term well-being of low-income individuals, families, and communities. As a dynamic statewide law firm, we pursue our mission through legal advice and representation, community partnerships, and education to empower clients and combat injustice in all its forms.
NJP operates a toll-free intake and referral hotline called CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education Advice and Referral). CLEAR serves as the statewide, centralized point of access for clients seeking free legal help, including advice, education, limited legal services, self-help materials and, where available, referrals for further representation. NJP attorneys in offices around the state provide assistance and direct representation in high priority, complex cases, including cases that address barriers to persons seeking access to our justice system, and also engage in community education efforts.
NJP also maintains WashingtonLawHelp, a public website containing an extensive library of legal resources, self-help materials, including necessary court forms in areas of law needed most by low income persons, the great majority of whom are forced to appear in court unrepresented.
CONTENT MENTIONING/INVOLVING THIS SOURCE
Audio , News StoryWashington State Legal Aid Lawyers Cheer Supreme Court’s Fair Housing Act Decision
Ashley GrossKPLU News (local NPR, Puget Sound region)
June 29, 2015
The recent Supreme Court ruling on housing discrimination has Washington state legal aid lawyers cheering.
Audio , News Story
Justice Gap For The Low Income Has Widened In Washington
Posey GruenerKUOW (local NPR, Seattle)
October 29, 2015
There are significant barriers to justice Washington state, according to a study published Thursday. It says that low-income Washington residents face multiple civil legal problems, but few can afford the help they need.
Editorial
There’s truly big need for civil legal aid
Olympian (WA)November 14, 2015
The 2015 Washington State Civil Legal Needs Update study makes the case for greater legislative action.
News Story
Attorneys hope to ease burden on poor of legal needs
Jordan SchraderOlympian (WA)
November 18, 2015
More than three-quarters of poor Washingtonians with civil legal problems face them without attorneys, according to a recent survey due to be presented to state lawmakers at a Thursday committee hearing.
Audio , News Story
After Overpayment Of Benefits, VA Wanted $38,000 Back
Patricia MurphyKUOW (local NPR, Seattle), National Public Radio (NPR)
January 27, 2016
The Department of Veterans Affairs says it overpaid 2,200 incarcerated vets more than $24 million but puts the burden on veterans when the fault of overpayment is their own.
News Story
State Supreme Court rejects Benton County’s collection of court fees from woman’s disability payments
Kristin M. KraemerTri-City Herald (WA)
September 22, 2016
This Benton County case is expected to be cited by prosecutors and judges in the future when addressing a person’s present or future ability to pay.
News Story
Legal justice program helps veterans
KING-TV (WA)November 14, 2016
Adams helps lead the veteran arm of the Northwest Justice Project. It's a state and federally funded organization with 17 locations around Washington providing free legal help in civil cases to those who can't afford it otherwise.
News Story
Vets can find needed legal aid
Andrew BinionKitsap Sun (WA)
November 16, 2016
It was help from the Northwest Justice Project, which provides civil legal services for those who cannot afford to hire a private attorney, that put him on solid ground.
News Story
Local services would feel sting with Trump budget
Dian Ver ValenWalla Walla Union-Bulletin (WA)
March 19, 2017
The Northwest Justice Project, headquartered in Seattle, is one such group that operates an office in Walla Walla where low-income people can receive help with civil legal aid.
News Story
Legal aid leaders prep for fight over Trump budget
Jefferson RobbinsWenatchee World (WA)
March 22, 2017
Presidential budget proposals seldom pass Congress intact, but Doran says the threat to civil legal aid can’t be ignored.
Op-Ed
Adequate Funding for Civil Legal Aid System Necessary for Fairness
Peter J. Abbarno, Todd ChaputChronicle (Centralia, WA)
March 30, 2017
In this time of budget and policy challenges, we should all be able to agree that access to justice is part of what helps our community succeed and is a central part of our democracy.
Op-Ed
State should bolster civil legal aid
Peter Grabicki, Greg TrippSpokesman-Review (WA)
May 21, 2017
For those of us who work in the legal system across Washington state, we share a commitment to making sure everyone has access to justice, regardless of their income.
Op-Ed
The law can be scary; the library can help
Krystal CorbrayYakima Herald-Republic (WA)
June 21, 2017
When it comes to legal problems, a trip to traffic court is probably the most complex issue many people are prepared to handle on their own.
Op-Ed
Liberty and justice for Tacomans jeopardized
Derek KilmerTacoma News Tribune (WA)
June 25, 2017
Our legal system shouldn’t deny justice to working families and veterans. Those on fixed incomes shouldn’t be cut out of our legal system.
Op-Ed
Want to make a real difference for struggling vets? Ensure access to legal aid
Alicia McCormickNavy Times
August 6, 2017
Far too often, veterans do not know their rights and don’t get the help they need. Low-income veterans and other military personnel received inadequate or no professional legal help for 88 percent of their civil legal problems in 2017.
News Story
An increase in state funding means more help for those facing civil legal issues
Natalie BreymeyerSkagit Valley Herald (WA)
August 27, 2017
On June 30, funding for civil legal aid statewide was increased by $5.15 million. This will allow NJP to expand its services and offer legal aid to more people.
Feature
The Fight for Civil Legal Aid
Natalie BreymeyerKlipsun Magazine
May 27, 2018
Low-income residents find themselves unsure of how to deal with civil cases, but attorneys in Bellingham are dedicated to providing them with legal aid.
Profile
Local branch of Northwest Justice Project helps low-income people with legal services
Karlene PontiWalla Walla Union-Bulletin
June 12, 2018
The organization provides free civil legal aid to low-income persons in need of help.
News Story
3 Ways Legal Aid Attys Are Using Tech To Boost Court Access
Natalie RodriguezLaw360
October 20, 2019
On Oct. 10, the Legal Services Corp. announced which 30 legal organizations had scored a slice of $4.2 million in grant money it was offering to fund technology projects that increase low-income Americans' access to legal help.
News Story
Under Pressure: Legal Aid Attys Brace For Virus’s Impacts
Emma CuetoLaw360
March 15, 2020
As the entire legal industry continues reacting to the spread of COVID-19, the legal aid community is bracing for its expected impact on their services for underserved communities. And in some parts of the country, providers are already weathering the effects. This article looks at how some providers across the country are preparing.
Op-Ed
Justice for all, not only for those who can afford it
Cyrus Habib, Steve O’BanSeattle Times
April 18, 2015
Two state representatives make a bipartisan case that lawmakers must help fund an effective civil legal aid system in Washington state.
This page last modified: Thu, April 30, 2015 -- 5:15 pm ET