The need for legal services far exceeds the resources available to meet the demand. 175,000 Wyoming residents financially qualify for legal aid services. Although over 3,000 people receive assistance from legal aid providers each year, there is still a large unmet need. National studies find that only about 20% of the legal needs of the low-income are currently being met. There also continue to be geographic areas of Wyoming that are underserved.

The Commission will communicate the need for and use of the funds to stakeholders, including the legislature, legal community, and the public.

The Commission will raise public awareness of this issue and investigate various methods for delivery of legal services over the next five years, including:

1. Alternative models for delivery of legal services;
2. Development of resources for self-represented litigants in Wyoming Courts;
3. Form working groups to identify and address barriers to access to justice;
4. Identify and propose methods for reaching currently underserved segments of the Wyoming population;
5. Investigate underserved areas of the state;
6. Strengthen ties with the University of Wyoming colleges and departments with connections to low-income populations, in addition to the College of Law.

• Wyoming Legal Community.
  • Over the next five years, the Commission will continue to develop communications to inform all Wyoming lawyers and judges about legal services and programs offered by legal service providers across the state.
• Wyoming Legislature and Other Governmental Leaders.
  • The Commission is not an advocacy organization. Nevertheless, it serves as a clearinghouse to receive comments from legal services providers, legal services clients and others about issues in accessing affordable legal representation. Any questions or concerns regarding access to justice issues, laws, or court rules should be directed to Ronda Munger at rmunger@courts.state.wy.us
• All Wyoming Citizens.
  • The Commission seeks to educate the public about the importance of equal access to justice and the need for increased resources to provide access to justice. The Commission plans to hold a series of town hall meetings around the state, to increase awareness and identify access to justice issues faced by Wyoming citizens. The Commission also sponsors civic education programs such as “You Be the Judge” (hyperlink info), “iCivics” (hyperlink info), and other relevant programs throughout the state. The Commission is currently in the planning stages of developing a high school program that trains teachers on how to incorporate access to justice issues into their curriculum.

Equal Justice Wyoming manages a statewide network of pro bono attorneys addressing civil legal needs. The Wyoming State Bar helps recruit volunteer lawyers through the joint “I’ll Do One” pro bono campaign in partnership with Equal Justice Wyoming.

• Equal Justice Wyoming provides free malpractice insurance, legal resources, training and mentor attorneys for all volunteer attorneys doing pro bono work through the formal pro bono program.
• Licensed Wyoming attorneys interested in providing pro bono legal services may contact Equal Justice Wyoming at wcla@courts.state.wy.us, or (307) 777-8383, or to volunteer for the “I’ll Do One” pro bono program, sign up here: www.probono.wy.gov
• Equal Justice Wyoming conducts free legal advice clinics staffed by volunteer attorneys. In-person advice clinics are offered monthly in Cheyenne while online clinics are currently available in Evanston, Cody, Thermopolis, Douglas, and Newcastle. Clinics are held periodically in other locations across the state by Equal Justice Wyoming, local bar associations, and other legal aid providers. For a list of statewide clinics and legal services events, see the calendar of events at www.legalhelp.wy.gov.
• Equal Justice Wyoming is continually developing best practices for administering volunteer legal services to the citizens of Wyoming, and expanding the support provided to Wyoming’s volunteer attorneys.
• The Commission also welcomes inquiries from possible public and private partners to expand pro bono legal services in Wyoming. If interested, please contact Equal Justice Wyoming at (307) 777-8383 or at wcla@courts.state.wy.us.