Holistic representation here at the Legal Aid Bureau is a comprehensive approach that recognizes that a client’s legal issues are often deeply intertwined with broader systemic and personal challenges. Rather than focusing solely on the immediate criminal case, holistic defense teams—which typically include attorneys, social workers, investigators, client advocates, and other specialists—work collaboratively to address the root causes of justice system involvement.
The holistic model acknowledges that factors such as poverty, housing instability, mental health issues, substance use disorders, and systemic discrimination can increase a client’s vulnerability to criminal charges and recidivism. By integrating social and legal services, holistic representation aims to achieve better long-term outcomes, reducing incarceration and supporting client stability.
Key elements of holistic representation include:
- Legal Defense: Zealous advocacy in court, challenging charges, and ensuring due process.
- Social Services Support: Connecting clients with housing assistance, substance use treatment, mental health services, and employment resources.
- Family and Community Engagement: Strengthening support systems to prevent future justice involvement.
- Policy and Systemic Advocacy: Addressing unjust policies that disproportionately impact marginalized communities.
By treating the client as a whole person rather than just a legal case, holistic representation seeks not only to win in court but also to empower clients to break cycles of instability and incarceration. This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and return the original message to us at info@legalaidbuffalo.org