U.S. Department
of Justice
Initiatives
The Office for Access to Justice is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice that plans, develops, and coordinates the implementation of access to justice policy initiatives prioritized by the Department and the executive branch. ATJ works to break down barriers to the founding principle and enduring promise of the Department of Justice: equal justice under law.
Our mission to ensure access to the promises and protections of our civil and criminal legal systems for all communities is carried out through a number of wide-ranging initiatives.
ATJ is dedicated to breaking down the barriers that prevent linguistically marginalized communities and those with limited proficiency in English, including those who are deaf and hard of hearing (D/HOH), from reporting a crime, understanding their rights, navigating a court process, and from other interactions with the U.S. Department of Justice.
ATJ staffs and directs the work of an interagency collaboration of over 28 federal agencies that improves coordination among Federal programs, increases the availability of meaningful access to justice for individuals and families, regardless of wealth or status, develops policy recommendations that improve access to justice in Federal, State, local, Tribal, and international jurisdictions, advances relevant evidence-based research and data collection and promulgates best practices.
ATJ leads the Federal Government Pro Bono Program, an interagency effort to encourage and support federal government attorneys and legal staff to engage in pro bono work and provides guidance and support to volunteers.
ATJ has launched a one-stop shop with comprehensive resources and materials to support individuals and organizations involved in public defense.