Access to justice initiatives are a major talking point among legal practitioners and technologists, but efforts thus far haven't managed to slow the increasing gap between legal help and underserved communities.

The Escambia Project, a co-sponsored initiative of the Florida Bar Foundation, Legal Services of North Florida, and social services nonprofit Pathways for Change, found that integrated systems can be a huge asset in helping people identify their legal issues and get connected with assistance. The project established a channel between Pathways and LSNF's intake systems, allowing Pathways to push any potential legal needs over to legal aid attorneys who can assist.

Melissa Moss, deputy director for the FBF, explained that the foundation in 2008 paid to standardize the client intake systems used by Florida's legal service organizations. “It was probably the most prescient thing we've ever done,” she said. “Just having everyone on the same case management system is absolutely critical and really what enabled this.”