Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Jr., and other senior administration figures, chief justices of several states, and leaders of the legal profession from across the country gathered at the White House on April 16, 2013 for a program entitled A White House Forum on Increasing Access to Justice. It was the second such event that the Legal Services Corporation has co-hosted with the White House.

Biden, who was introduced by White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, argued that equal access to legal representation is "the single right that makes every other right viable."  He also shared the story of his early career decision to leave a large law firm and become a public defender.

LSC Board Chairman John G. Levi struck a similar chord in his opening remarks, noting that we must all work toward a full realization of the equal access to justice embodied in our values and laws. 

Attorney General Holder also spoke, discussing various equal access initiatives at the Justice Department, including the Access to Justice Initiative, a new office he launched three years ago "to help spearhead national efforts to ensure that basic legal services are available, affordable and accessible for everyone in this country – regardless of status or income."

The forum featured two panels, one on pro bono and the second on the use of technology to help improve pro bono and to better assist those who must represent themselves as they navigate the court system.

Additional information, including video of the pro bono and technology panels and video of Attorney General Holder's remarks, is available on the LSC Website.