Groups and organizations that support or provide civil or defender legal services may apply for Program Membership by printing out and completing the appropriate application form (links below) and returning it with payment to NLADA. A program's membership status is provisional upon approval of its application by the NLADA Board of Directors.

Program Membership Application Forms

Civil Member

Defender Member

Associate Program Member

Civil Program Members

Civil program members include organizations and government entities that provide as their primary purpose or mission civil legal services to persons otherwise unable to afford legal counsel. Civil Program dues are calculated as a percentage of a program's annual budget.

NLADA's Division of Civil Legal Services supports a wide array of legal services program providers, pro bono attorneys, law schools, bar associations and other organizations and individuals playing a role in ensuring that low-income people in the United States have access to effective representation in civil matters. NLADA serves as a voice in our nation's capital, advocating on behalf of its members to advance the cause of civil legal aid. NLADA provides specialized training and conferences, alerts members to information regarding funding opportunities for civil legal aid programs, and promotes a variety of networking opportunities designed to strengthen communication and support among the many partners engaged in providing civil legal services.

Defender Program Members

Defender program members include public defender agencies, organizations, assigned counsel and contracted law offices that provide as their primary purpose or mission indigent defense services in criminal matters to persons otherwise unable to afford counsel. Defender Program dues are calculated as a percentage of a program's annual budget and range from a minimum of $220 to a maximum of $4,375.

NLADA's Division of Defender Legal Services is the leading national authority on standards, training and technical assistance for indigent defense professionals, respected and sought out by policy makers, courts, the media and every other component of the criminal justice system.

Whether you are a defender manager, a litigator or a professional who provides services in the indigent defense arena, NLADA provides the tools to make your job easier and help you do it better.

Associate Program Members

Organizations or government entities that are involved in civil legal or defender services but do not provide these services as their primary purpose are invited to join NLADA as non-voting Associate Program Members.

Associate Members include, but are not limited to: pro bono and lawyer referral programs, bar associations, IOLTA programs, ACLU programs, student legal services programs, and specialized advocacy or support organizations such as domestic violence programs, homeless shelters and civil rights organizations. Associate Program dues are calculated as a percentage of a program's annual budget for legal services and range from a minimum of $150 to a maximum of $3,300.

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