Austin Justice Coalition partners with Tolbert Law Firm, giving legal service access at reduced rates
by: Jala Washington (KXAN) | Mar 18, 2025
AUSTIN — The family of a man who was shot and killed in the front yard of his home, is still pushing for accountability. But now, for the first time in months, there’s renewed hope because of a new partnership with an advocacy nonprofit and law firm.
Steven Allan Smith’s girlfriend’s 13-year-old son is accused of shooting him, according to the Bastrop County Sheriff’s office. It’s still unclear where the case stands.
“We’ve realized nothing’s going to bring him back, but for us, we need to know that those responsible for his death will be held accountable,” Keely Lee, Smith’s cousin said.
Smith’s family is now being represented by Dallas-based firm, Tolbert Law. They were connected through the Austin Justice Coalition (AJC). AJC has been paying for the legal services, according to Lee.
Now, more people and families will be helped through the strategic new partnership between AJC and Tolbert Law. The firm, that serves clients in Dallas, Austin and Atlanta, has already been working informally with AJC for some time now.
On Tuesday, the Justice Access Support Initiative (JASI), officially launched. AJC will use its connection with the community to work with Tolbert Law to give more people in marginalized communities better access to legal services.
Austin Justice Coalition partners with Tolbert Law Firm to help minority communities have better access to legal services. (KXAN photos/Jala Washington).
It’s a formalized initiative in which Tolbert Law will now connect with clients facilitated by AJC, offering clients reduced legal fee rates, the firm said Tuesday. Those reduced rates will be dependent on the case, the firm told KXAN.
“The Justice Access Support Initiative is a direct response to the systemic barriers that prevent many in our community from obtaining fair legal representation,” Chas Moore, Organizing Director of Austin Justice Coalition said. “This partnership with Tolbert Law Firm allows us to provide crucial legal support while continuing the fight for a more just and equitable legal system.”
As the duo prepares for more outreach to come up with a fund to immensely support legal services for marginalized community clients at a reduced rate, Moore said AJC will use its funds, most of which come from community donations, to support formalized legal efforts for JASI.
“Justice should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it,” Chris Tolbert, managing partner of Tolbert Law Firm said. “We are honored to partner with AJC on this initiative to ensure that everyone, regardless of financial status, has access to quality legal representation.”
Lee said the legal process has gotten easier for their family, since Tolbert Law started representing them.
“I think this partnership will empower more families to understand how they can appropriately push within the confines of the law,” Lee said.
It’s cases like these, including civil, criminal and family, that Tolbert Law Firm will continue to take on, through JASI, in partnership with AJC.
The entire initiative is tied to AJC’s social justice work. Moore said the organization regularly gets tapped by the community for help.
“We just got this letter from an inmate in jail asking for help,” Moore said.
Tolbert said his team is in the process of creating an intake form, for those who would like access to their services through JASI.
Smith’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the teen’s mother in December, with Tolbert Law’s help.
