WEST CHESTER, PA — AccessLex Institute has received the 2026 American Bar Association Grassroots Award for its advocacy on Public Service Loan Forgiveness and research on student debt affecting young lawyers, the organization announced.
The award recognizes the nonprofit’s collaboration with the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division on research examining the financial challenges faced by early-career attorneys.
The ABA cited two reports developed with AccessLex: Student Debt: The Holistic Impact on Today’s Young Lawyer and Student Debt, COVID-19 Relief and Loan Forgiveness: Perspectives from Today’s Young Lawyers.
According to the organization, the reports are widely used within the Young Lawyers Division and have informed discussions among policymakers, legal educators, and practitioners on student loan debt and potential policy responses.
The research focuses on how educational debt affects career mobility, financial stability, and long-term participation in the legal profession.
Tiffane Cochran, vice president of research at AccessLex Institute, said the recognition reflects the role of data-driven analysis in shaping policy discussions.
“This recognition affirms our commitment to advancing data-informed advocacy and elevating the empirical evidence needed to inform and shape policies that expand opportunity for the next generation of lawyers,” Cochran said.
AccessLex Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on improving access, affordability, and value in legal education through research, policy advocacy, and financial education initiatives.
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