Thanks to the unwavering support from L4GG’s community, 2023 has been a year of substantial growth and adaptation! We've navigated intricate changes in reproductive rights, expanded our climate justice initiatives with impactful reports and legal assistance, trained hundreds of lawyers in legislative advocacy,  and adapted to major shifts in asylum policies, reaching thousands.

In 2023, your generosity has empowered us to:

Expand Access to Reproductive Health Law Resources

In our steadfast commitment to reproductive justice, L4GG's Reproductive Health Digest has been pivotal in helping individuals navigate the complex landscape of reproductive health law. This year, we've provided 17,317 individual daily updates on the current state of the law in all 56 states and territories, which has been reflected through 17 editions of this bi-weekly newsletter to over 600 subscribers. The Digest distills significant policy shifts, offering clear, concise updates to healthcare providers and advocates.

Building on this foundation, we recognized an urgent need for a more comprehensive resource. That’s why this fall, we launched our long-awaited Policy Resource Hub for Reproductive Health. This public-facing portal, supported by the tireless efforts of 1,000 pro bono attorneys and law students through our Reproductive Health Legal Assistance Project (RHLAP), grants access to our meticulously researched database and other in-depth resources. It's a major step in our quest to ensure accessible and up-to-date legal information in reproductive healthcare.
To support reproductive justice, click here.

Empower Attorneys to Champion State-Level Civil Rights Advocacy

In the face of escalating challenges to our civil liberties at the state level, L4GG's State Legislative Advocacy Academy (SLAA) has been a beacon of action. Now in its second year, our SLAA has equipped an impressive 475 attorneys with in-depth, state-level advocacy training. These dedicated professionals have had access to our comprehensive suite of 13 expert training modules, designed to teach the intricacies of legislative advocacy.

A significant milestone this year was the inauguration of our first SLAA Leadership program. We proudly supported 20 trailblazing SLAA Leaders across 17 different states, all of whom received specialized training and monthly coaching from LaTonya Joyner-Gregory, L4GG’s Director of Attorney Impact & Engagement, on how to advocate for progressive state-level change. As these leaders graduate from the year-long program, we are excited to announce the next cohort of SLAA Leaders next month, who will continue this vital work in 2024!

The SLAA demonstrates the power of legal expertise in shaping policy and defending civil rights at the state level. To join us in supporting state legislative advocacy, click here.

Navigate Climate Funding and Bridge the Gap for Environmental Justice

To enhance the impact of federal investments in climate resilience, L4GG’s Climate Change and Environmental Justice team launched the Decarbonization and Climate Resiliency Funding Clinic (Clinic) last year. This year, our free federal funding webinars were attended by 600+ representatives from across 49 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam. These participants came from 72 state agencies, 177 cities/counties/municipal government entities, and 231 non-profit organizations. Through these sessions, we provided necessary guidance to attendees on funding eligibility, application processes, timelines, acceptable projects, and more under federal legislation.

Our CCEJ team has also been battling environmental racism, exemplified through our multi-faceted efforts for climate equity. A key accomplishment this year was the update of our groundbreaking Disadvantaged Communities Report (DAC Report), which provides crucial legal definitions and policy information to aid communities and advocates in implementing climate resiliency projects.

Alongside this, our direct legal assistance has achieved significant milestones. We supported the Indiana NAACP in gaining intervenor status in important regulatory proceedings, ensuring that communities of color have a voice in decisions impacting their environment. Similarly, our collaboration with the Benton Harbor Community Water Council led to a revealing report on the ongoing water crisis, underscoring the urgency of addressing systemic environmental injustice.

These initiatives represent L4GG's unwavering commitment to ensuring climate justice and a seat at the table for historically marginalized communities. To support this work, click here.

Adapt to Asylum Policy Changes with Resilience and Innovation

2023 brought significant challenges for Project Corazon, marked by rapid and dizzying changes in asylum policies. The introduction of CBPOne, an app that is now the only way to secure asylum appointments at the border, created new barriers that prevented our attorneys from providing direct legal assistance in the ways they used to.

With the introduction of the transit ban and the end of Title 42 fundamentally altering the framework of U.S. asylum procedures as we have known them, our response was to adapt swiftly, offering practical advice and guidance amid a system in flux. Recognizing the increased dangers at the border and the limitations this placed on our attorneys and volunteers, we reoriented our approach to ensure continued support for vulnerable migrants.

In response to the transit ban, we hosted comment training webinars and office hours, assisting lawyers and advocates in submitting public comments against this policy. Working alongside our coalition partners, we fought relentlessly against increasing anti-immigrant measures.

Central to our strategy was leveraging technology to reach migrants at the border and ensure they were not left to navigate these complexities alone. Through 17 Facebook Live sessions, conducted in Spanish, we provided real-time updates and vital information to migrants grappling with the shifting legal landscape. These sessions were crucial in offering clarity and direction, and we were able to reach 39,264 viewers this year. 

Despite unprecedented challenges, Project Corazon held the line, steadfast in its commitment to uphold the law and protect those in need from the chaos of these transformations. To support immigrant rights, click here.

Harness Pro Bono Legal Expertise for Equal Justice

2023 has been a landmark year for L4GG's pro bono initiatives. This year, L4GG has successfully mobilized an astounding 41,572 pro bono hours to various projects. The significance of this effort is underscored by the monetary value of these services, amounting to over $22 million. This figure not only represents the financial contribution to our causes but also the depth of commitment and expertise our volunteer attorneys bring to the table.

The driving force behind this remarkable achievement has been the 1,314 volunteer attorneys who have generously contributed their time and skills in 2023. Their dedication has been pivotal in advancing our mission and impacting the communities we serve. This collective endeavor reflects the power of pro bono work in effecting meaningful change and is a testament to the commitment of our legal community to champion the causes we believe in.

To continue supporting our pro bono advocacy, click here.

Invest In Human Rights And Equal Justice

In 2024, and with your support, we will continue to build on our incredible impact and focus on the fight, every day. Will you help us by making a tax-deductible year-end donation? We can’t do this work without your contribution, and I can’t wait to see what else we’ll accomplish together next year.