On May 7, Senator Patty Murray sat down with NJP clients and their attorneys in Seattle — listening, firsthand, to what’s at stake as federal funding for legal aid faces another potential round of cuts.
Sen. Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke to the importance of legal aid: “Our courts and laws are meant to be a great equalizer, but we can only live up to that promise of equality when cost is not a barrier to justice,” she said. “The funding from the Legal Services Corporation helps organizations like Northwest Justice Project keep that promise — helping tens of thousands of people every year.”
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) receives federal funding that is granted to 130 legal aid organizations around the country. NJP is the only LSC-funded organization in Washington state.
NJP Executive Director Abigail Daquiz emphasized the importance of this funding: “Federal funding for civil legal aid is the foundation for our ability to serve our communities — to ensure that a mom facing eviction has someone in their corner, that veterans who have served this country can access the benefits they have earned, and that safety is possible for survivors of domestic violence.”
The roundtable brought together NJP Executive Director Daquiz, NJP Managing Attorney Karla Carlisle, NJP veteran’s attorney Jennifer Budinick, volunteer attorney Dave Tarshes, LSC Vice President and General Counsel Will Gunn, and three NJP clients: Christy, Alan, and Anita, whose cases illustrate the range of legal problems and people NJP serves — and what they stand to lose without it.
Stories that Resonate: Safety, Security, Justice
Christy, a survivor of domestic violence who fled an abusive partner with her two young children, described what NJP’s help meant to her: “I am here today to say thank you. Thank you for giving me my life back. Because of NJP, I am not just a survivor; I am a mother with a home, a future, and a fresh start.”
Alan, a veteran who served for 25 years and sustained life-altering injuries in the Army, had been told he did not qualify for benefits. With NJP’s help, he received a 50% disability rating. “NJP did what I couldn’t do alone,” he said. “These weren’t ‘handouts’ — they were the benefits I had earned over decades of service.”
Anita, a grandmother whose paycheck was suddenly garnished by 50% without notice based on a fraudulent debt collection judgment, described the outcome: “It still blows my mind that I was able to be represented by great attorneys and actually get a favorable outcome. It was amazing. Truly amazing.”
Senator Murray thanked Christy, Alan and Anita and promised to take their stories back to Congress, noting that they represent thousands of others who depend on NJP services.
In 2025, NJP’s direct legal services benefited 28,310 Washington residents and our online public law library saw more than 1.1 million visitors. Close to one million Washingtonians qualify for legal aid services.