The United States Institute of Peace, a nonpartisan, independent institute founded by Congress, states that "There is no access to justice where citizens (especially marginalized groups) fear the system, see it as alien, and do not access it [and] where the justice system is financially inaccessible." Unfortunately, this describes the situation facing too many U.S. populations, leading to what is often called America's "Justice Gap."
According to a 2022 report from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) on the justice gap, low-income Americans cannot find adequate legal representation for 92% of the civil issues that substantially impact their lives. Analogous research from HiiL and the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) similarly found that lower income, rural, and multiracial (non-Hispanic) and black Americans are particularly vulnerable – resulting in significant percentages of marginalized groups not seeking resolution to their legal problems, leaving less than half of all legal issues resolved.
Plaintiff law firms play a critical role in turning the tide by leveling the playing field against institutions whose significant leverage may otherwise intimidate or discourage individuals from seeking restitution. Trial lawyers dedicate their lives to – and derive their livelihoods from – bridging the justice gap with tenacity and compassion, not to mention financial acumen. Many champions of social justice will testify that these skills affect change as much as courtroom savvy.
Seeking Justice Starts with Empathy
Barriers to justice are often as much emotional as economical, rooted in physical and psychological trauma. Individuals requiring representation are often vulnerable, having been intentionally or negligently harmed. They may experience feelings of shame or stigmatization. Unsurprisingly, that's why more than half of the HiiL/IAALS survey respondents stated that emotional support was what they sought most from their lawyer.
"We're there to help people when they're really at their lowest," says Elise R. Sanguinetti, a founding partner of Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos LLP. "We're there to support when somebody has gone through something very traumatic. I don't think that is necessarily the image portrayed to the public, but that's really what we do."
Sanguinetti staunchly advocates the importance of hands-on time with her firm's clients and ensuring that clients receive proper treatment throughout the legal process, especially those who may have been previously denied or unable to receive health care and mental health services.
Victory, Even in Defeat
Every attorney wants to win and do right by their clients. That said, trial lawyers who affect social change also recognize that a measure of victory can be achieved even when a judgment goes against them. Civil litigation can be a catalyst for incremental or even systemic change by bringing a powerful argument before the court and into the court of public opinion.
Reza Torkzadeh, founder and CEO of TorkLaw and author of "The Lawyer as CEO," recalls such a case: "We brought a wrongful death case against a city; our client was struck by a car at an intersection where there had been more than one-hundred prior accidents over a twenty-five year period. We argued that, with minimal expense, this incident could have been prevented. We ultimately lost the case – but after the trial, the city made all the changes [we recommended]. All the safeguards we were arguing for are now in place, and it's probably one of the safest intersections you could find in the city."
"Even in defeat, we had an impact in the community," adds Torkzadeh. "We lost, and it was heartbreaking. But no one will ever get killed at that intersection again."
Financial Allies Can Extend Access
Trial law firms representing plaintiffs operate on a contingency fee basis; they recoup if/when their clients do. This enables clients, who may not ordinarily be able to afford adequate representation, to gain access to justice at no upfront cost. That said, shouldering the high costs of a trial can be a tremendous burden for firms to carry. From expert witnesses to investigations and court costs, litigation expenses quickly add up. That is why many successful firms gain the liquidity and capital to spend on case disbursements – and increase their odds of victory in their 'David versus Goliath' matters – with a finance partner like Esquire Bank.
"It's been amazing to have a partner that gives us access to the funds needed to engage in costly and complex litigation," contends Reza Torkzadeh. "Esquire Bank understands our work's impact on the lives of those we represent. A true partnership with a bank has made all the difference in the world."
Without the worry of financing standing in their way, trial lawyers can truly focus on what is at stake – justice for their clients – all while enabling the growth to help even more people in need.
Explore More Stories of Social Justice
Dive deeper into these trial attorneys' stories of social justice – or share your own – by going to justice.esquirebank.com.
