Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) is a program that was created by statute in 1982 to help fund legal services for indigent Californians.  When lawyers hold client funds that are nominal in amount or held too briefly to earn interest or dividends for the client, they are required to place those funds in an Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (IOLTA).  Those pooled funds earn interest that is remitted to the State Bar’s Legal Services Trust Fund Program, which distributes the funds through grants to approximately 100 nonprofit legal aid programs throughout California - including ALRP.  Since 1984, more than $350 million in IOLTA grants have been distributed to legal services programs.

The State Bar of California's PEAK YOUR INTEREST Campaign provides information about the IOLTA program, including: Why the Legal Services Trust Fund Program was developed; Who benefits from the IOLTA program; How IOLTA funding can be increased; and encourages participation.  

If you are interested in other ways to increase equal access to justice, you can also contribute to the State Bar's Justice Gap Fund.  This legislatively authorized fund supports legal services for low-income Californians. In contributing to the fund, you are showing your commitment—as part of the legal profession—to greater access to justice.

To contribute to the Justice Gap Fund, mark your annual member fee statement or go to www.calbar.org/justicegapfund.