Foundation Initiatives

The Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation works with partners across the state to expand existing efforts and create new ones, trying to further the goal of Access to Justice for everyone. This work is informed by the ATJ Foundation's four core values: 

pro bono portal

Find a pro bono opportunity that fits your interests, skills and schedule at www.okprobono.org.

Supported by a federal Housing Stability grant, and in partnership with Legal Link, the ATJ Foundation created the Oklahoma Community Justice Network (OCJN) in 2023 to train front-line social services partners in Legal First Aid - strengthening their ability to identify legal issues, surface unmet legal needs, and access legal protections and resources for those they serve. OCJN empowers Oklahomans to interact with the civil justice system more effectively, confidently, and with fairer outcomes. 

housing and economic justice

With Housing Solutions Tulsa, the Oklahoma Housing Stability Coalition, and others, the ATJ Foundation has helped lead interim studies for the Oklahoma House of Representatives on needed updates to the Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act as well as participating in studies on the impact of medical debt. Thanks to this advocacy, critical legislation has been passed over the past several years to improve the fairness of our landlord-tenant laws and ensure that debt collection lawsuits follow basic standards.

In partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, the ATJ Foundation developed easy-to-understand legal infographics and training materials for library staff, recognizing that public libraries are a critical community resource for many Oklahomans with questions about their legal needs. These materials were piloted in the first quarter of 2022, and are now available statewide in both English and Spanish. You can access all of the resources HERE.

Research and advocacy reports

Every summer, the ATJ Foundation publishes a data-driven research report on an area of civil justice that disproportionately impacts Oklahomans without access to an attorney. In 2022 our report examined eviction courts, in 2023 debt collection, and in 2024 access to divorce. The reports are all embedded below or available to download. 

Oklahoma ATJ Divorce Report 2024.pdf
Case By Case ATJ Evictions Report 2022.pdf
Oklahoma ATJ Downward Debt Spiral.pdf

We also proudly offer these annual programs to bring together access to justice advocates and partners across the state. 

This past year's topics included rural legal access, pro bono, procedural fairness for unrepresented litigants, online dispute resolution, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, and more. Thanks to our generous sponsors, this programming -- including up to 10 hours of CLE credit (1 hour ethics) -- was available at no cost!

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Visionaries of Justice



Champions of Justice

OBA Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Section

Oklahoma Bar Foundation

Friends of Justice

Crowe & Dunlevy

Ogletree Deakins

Hall Estill

Pro Bono Challenge

An annual challenge between law firms of all sizes over who can complete the most pro bono hours during the summer. The winners were recognized at the 2023 Access to Justice Summit, and we are proud to congratulate them.

Large Office

Crowe & Dunlevy

Medium Office

Steptoe & Johnson

Small Office

Sterling Oaks Law Firm

Solo Winner

Beatrize Martinez

For more information on past and future Pro Bono Challenges click HERE.