News

September 18, 2026
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Legal Services National Technology Assistance Project (LSNTAP) has launched a new Communities of Practice Database to help new employees and others working in legal aid and adjacent access-to-justice fields find professional support, reliable information, and opportunities to connect with peers.

The database brings together more than 60 reviewed communities and resources in one searchable location. Listings cover professional development, access to justice, technology, communications, intake, data, legal information websites, and a wide range of substantive practice and operational topics.
Users can review each community's focus, geographic reach, host organization, participation format, and available instructions for joining. The collection includes listservs, online forums, email groups, trainings, meetings, conferences, mentorship opportunities, and other ways to exchange information and learn from colleagues. "Starting a new role in legal aid often means learning not only the work, but also where to turn with questions and who else is working on similar challenges," said Shellie Reid, LSNTAP Manager. "This database is designed to make those connections easier and help people find the communities that can support their work." Although the resource was developed with new employees in mind, it can also help experienced staff expand their professional networks, locate topic-specific expertise, and discover groups they may not have encountered before. Most listings serve a nationwide audience, with additional state- and region-specific resources included where available.

View the Communities of Practice Database

The Communities of Practice Database is a living resource that LSNTAP will continue to review and update as groups and participation information change. LSNTAP welcomes suggestions for additional communities, corrections to existing listings, and other feedback that can help make the database more useful to the field.

Community members can share input.