The Oklahoma Bar Journal August 2025

O klahoma B ar F oundation N ews

Bridging the Justice Gap: What We Learned From the 2024 Legal Needs Survey

By Renee DeMoss

W HEN IT COMES TO increasing access to justice in Oklahoma, there’s no substi tute for listening. Listening to the stories, obstacles and opportu nities that exist in our state. The Oklahoma Bar Foundation recently completed its 2024 Promoting Access to Justice Survey. The survey was wide-reaching and designed to identify and under stand the most pressing legal needs across the state. Drawing on data from all 77 counties and insights from more than 1,000 Oklahoma attorneys, the survey report sheds new light on where gaps in legal services persist and what solutions hold the most promise. This survey is another import ant step in ensuring the OBF’s grantmaking and programming goals align with the real-world needs experienced by Oklahomans, as observed by the attorneys who serve them. Legal professionals across the state responded to our survey, which divided the state into eight different regions. The survey showed populations in the northwest, southeast and south west regions are underserved in terms of IOLTA dollars. Access to justice has already been identi fied as a critical priority in these

communities, and our findings provide a clear direction for bring ing essential legal resources to close the justice gap for all Oklahomans.

COMMON BARRIERS, REGIONAL REALITIES

Responses from Oklahoma attorneys also helped shine a light on the barriers their clients face when trying to access legal services. Unsurprisingly, cost remains the single greatest hurdle, especially in the southeast. In the southwest, lawyers noted that many of their clients are simply unaware of the existing legal resources or unsure of where to turn for help. Attorneys in the northwest emphasized geographic challenges, including the limited availability of legal aid provid ers and the long travel distances required to receive services. These insights reinforce the fact that there’s no one-size-fits all solution. Improving access to justice means addressing both common statewide problems and region-specific limitations. UNDERSERVED OKLAHOMANS The survey report also under scores how legal access gaps are especially wide for certain populations.

HIGH DEMAND, SHARED NEEDS

The survey report confirms what we already know: Legal needs in Oklahoma are widespread and urgent. Across the board, attor neys identified four primary areas of consistent concern: Legal assistance for the elderly Affordable housing and eviction prevention Family law matters Immigration and citizenship issues What’s striking is how consis tently these top needs were cited in all three underserved regions. While some slight regional vari ations appear, such as consumer protection and debt relief replac ing immigration as the fourth most pressing need in the south west, the broader picture suggests shared statewide challenges.

84 | AUGUST 2025

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL