Litigation is one of the ELC’s most powerful tools for advancing educational equity. As part of a broader advocacy strategy—including research, communications, coalition building, policy advocacy, and capacity building—strategic litigation helps shape public policy, enforce students’ rights, and drive systemic change. Visit our Cases page to learn more about ELC’s current litigation.
In New Jersey, ELC’s legal advocacy has produced landmark victories that have transformed public education. Most notably, the Abbott v. Burke decisions established students’ rights to equitable school funding, high-quality preschool, and safe and adequate school facilities. Beyond systemic cases affecting thousands of students, ELC also provides direct legal representation to individual students, parents, and guardians in matters involving special education, school discipline, bullying, residency, and other education rights.
Nationally, ELC partners with advocates and organizations across the country to protect and expand educational opportunity through litigation and legal advocacy. Through our Public Funds Public Schools initiative, ELC works with state and local partners to challenge private school voucher programs and other efforts to divert public funds from public schools. We also provide technical assistance to attorneys by helping develop legal strategies, identify expert witnesses, prepare court filings, and convene advocates through our annual Litigators’ Workshop.
To expand access to high-quality legal representation, ELC has built a nationwide network of national, regional, and local law firms that partner with us on a pro bono basis. This public-private partnership model brings together ELC, local advocates, and private law firms to leverage millions of dollars in pro bono legal services on behalf of students and families seeking equal educational opportunity.