Our Story.
History, mission & impact.
The History of EJI
The Economic Justice Initiative (EJI) is a statewide program that utilizes technology and cutting-edge solutions to remove barriers, educate communities, and make justice more accessible. In service of this mission, we train and deploy a new kind of legal advocate, Community Justice Workers (CJWs), trusted, community-rooted professionals who work alongside attorneys to bring legal help directly to the people who need it most.
The Economic Justice Initiative was founded in May 2024 as an initiative of the Texas Immigration Law Council.
Across Texas, 29 EJI attorneys and CJWs have already reached over 100,000 people.
And we are just getting started.
Timeline
THE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE
Alaska, Utah and others have implemented regulatory changes allowing CJWs to provide limited, simple legal services with great success, demonstrating measurable improvements in legal access for low-income residents.
Multiple states are actively developing similar frameworks, signaling a national shift in how civil legal services are delivered.
THE TEXAS STORY
Aug, 2024
Proposed Texas Rules
Texas proposes a licensing framework for Community Justice Workers.
Nov 2024
Rules on Pause
Supreme Court of Texas puts rule implementation on pause.
Present
Ready for Licensure
EJI operating with CJWs as community connectors, legal info providers & capacity builders, strengthening the evidence base and preparing the network.
THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE INITIATIVE
2024
Program Launch
The EJI moonshot is established, developing partnerships and rapidly building its team.
2025
Fellows Deployed
29 Fellows across 10 sites delivering services in communities from the Rio Grande Valley to the South Plains.
2026
Impact Strengthened
Over 100,000 Texans reached. Community listening sessions improve services.
Upcoming in 2026
EJI Scaled
Fellows, along with community partners, will create pilots to train community members to become CJWs, thus scaling reach.
The Next Chapter
Our Mission
The Economic Justice Initiative expands access to civil legal services for low-income and underserved Texans by embedding non-attorney legal advocates, known as Community Justice Workers, alongside attorneys at organizations across the state. Through this innovative service delivery model, EJI bridges the justice gap, reduces language and cultural barriers, and builds a sustainable pipeline of advocates in communities that need them most.