This website features early leaders of federally funded civil legal aid and public defense (indigent criminal defense). Many leaders were active primarily during the 1960s through the 1990s. They include access to justice leaders, bar leaders, judges, and others.
This website features about 140 people as of late 2023, mostly persons for whom we have oral histories. Additional people will be added. For each oral history, you can read the full transcript. Some have links to video available on the website of the Georgetown University Law Library.
In each oral history, a person shares their unique journey — how they found and pursued a life’s work dedicated to justice. Together, these oral histories tell the story of a modern movement that built on a rich history, reshaped American society, and improved the lives of millions of Americans.