This week the Board of Trustees of the California State Bar approved a recommendation to the California Supreme Court to establish a statewide Community Justice Worker Program. The proposal, if approved by the Court, would authorize trained nonlawyers to provide limited legal assistance to California residents under the supervision of approved legal aid organizations. From the announcement:

The program responds to a significant justice gap: The State Bar’s 2024 California Justice Gap Study found that 73 percent of California households reported at least one civil legal problem in the past year, and 86 percent of the lowest-income residents received no or inadequate help resolving their legal problems. * * *

“Today, recognizing the urgent legal needs of Californians and the opportunity for private funding to support a CJW Program, the Board recommended the Community Justice Worker Program move forward,” said Board Chair José Cisneros. “We’re recommending the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission serve as the Authorizing Body, given its deep experience overseeing legal aid organizations across the state. We’re confident this approach gives the program the strong foundation it needs to succeed.”

You can read more details here; see also State Bar Backs Nonlawyer Legal Aid Program, The Daily Journal, September 23, 2026; Cheryl Miller, State Bar Sends Community Justice Worker Proposal to Calif. Supreme Court, Law.com, September 21, 2026.