The Equal Justice Center (EJC) is led by the Philadelphia Bar Foundation in alignment with their vision of equal access to justice for all Philadelphians. We envision the EJC as a means to promote legal empowerment for those who need it most, by improving navigation of civil processes and enhancing coordination among multiple legal service providers to provide accessible, reliable, and relevant resources. Despite the pivot from the physical building in 2020, the vision has not changed: the EJC exists to assure equal access to justice for all Philadelphians.
At the Equal Justice Center, our mission is to build a more accessible and equitable civil legal system. We strive to create pathways to just outcomes and to remove barriers for all Philadelphians, by empowering every member of the community with access to knowledge, resources, and innovative approaches through collaborative partnerships.
We envision a Philadelphia where enhanced access to justice ensures legal empowerment and allows all Philadelphians to assert their rights for positive social change that enriches the community.
The Equal Justice Center acknowledges the historical and systemic barriers that have impeded access to justice and fair outcomes. Therefore, we believe and uphold the following values:
Equitable Justice – Upholding human dignity and fundamental rights of all.
Empowerment – Providing Philadelphians with the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to effectively navigate and advocate for their rights.
Accessibility - Creating equitable pathways to accommodate all individuals in obtaining civil legal assistance and participating effectively in the civil legal system.
Collaboration – Fostering a person-centered, innovative, and collective approach addressing social and civil legal issues.