The Oklahoma Bar Journal October 2024

T he B ack P age

Looking Back at Legal Aid: A Pioneering Program in Northeastern Oklahoma

M ORE THAN 57 YEARS ago, the nation’s first mobile Legal Aid office and law library took to the road in Delaware County as part of the Community Action Program, established by the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) of 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” Journalists from across the country traveled to Jay to learn about the law office on wheels that was providing services to low- income rural Oklahomans and tribal members. The legal services program was featured in the NBC News documentary, Justice For All?, that aired on Oct. 27, 1967. Laci Klinger, managing attorney for several Legal Aid offices in eastern and northeastern Oklahoma, recently discovered a treasure trove of histor ical documents about the mobile law office that will soon be on display, and she reflected on the historic find. “A commitment to justice is important to Oklahomans,” Ms. Klinger said. “I am reminded of that long-standing value when I look back on the legacy of our industrious forbearers as they faced overwhelming need. We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve and are honored to build on that work to improve and increase access to justice. The overwhelming need continues, but I am optimistic about the progress we will continue to make in the next 60 years.”

Top: The nation’s first mobile law office established under the Community Action Program gets on the road in northeastern Oklahoma. Inset: Attorneys Marvin Liddell (left) and Richard Lock (center) assist a client inside the mobile office. Left: Local news coverage of an NBC production team documenting the pioneering legal services program.

80 | OCTOBER 2024

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL