LOGAN — Utah State University is expanding a program that provides free legal assistance to Utahns facing eviction, debt collection lawsuits and other financial challenges as the state prepares to consolidate approximately 88,000 cases into a new statewide court division in 2027.
USU’s Transforming Communities Institute, housed in the university’s Department of Social Work, is expanding its Community Justice Advocate program to train and certify social workers and other human service professionals to provide limited legal assistance to people who otherwise might have to represent themselves in court.
The expansion comes as Utah courts face a significant imbalance in legal representation.
According to Utah State Courts data, 96% of eviction cases and 98% of debt collection cases involve defendants who represent themselves, while nearly all landlords and debt collectors have attorneys.
Under an amended order from the Utah Supreme Court, the USU program can now train and certify advocates to assist with landlord-tenant disputes, building on its authorization in March 2025 to provide training for debt-related legal matters.
Certified advocates can explain legal procedures, help complete court documents, provide limited legal advice, negotiate on behalf of clients and assist them during court proceedings. Utah-licensed attorneys provide ongoing mentorship and support.
“Housing and debt problems rarely arrive alone. A family behind on rent is often behind on a medical bill or a credit card, too,” said Nathanael Player, an assistant professor of professional practice in USU’s Department of Social Work and director of the Community Justice Advocate program. “The CJAs I mentor are often asking me about housing issues, so allowing CJAs to help in both areas is a natural evolution for our program.”
A $148,000 grant from the Utah Bar Foundation will help expand the program beyond clients already receiving services from participating agencies.
The funding will support paid advocate hours, allowing certified advocates to assist Utahns who are not already connected with a social service organization employing a Community Justice Advocate.
Working with Nonprofit Legal Services of Utah and other community partners, advocates will accept referrals from social service agencies, legal aid organizations and the Utah State Courts’ Self-Help Center. Individuals will also be able to request assistance directly.
Many existing advocates work as case managers, therapists, housing coordinators and other human service professionals. Their positions allow them to provide legal assistance alongside services addressing housing insecurity, financial hardship, domestic violence and health-related challenges.
The program offers services both in person and virtually, making assistance available to residents throughout Utah, including rural communities.
USU has also increased its institutional investment in the program.
The university hired Player during summer 2026 to direct the program, teach its courses and mentor advocates. He has more than 15 years of legal experience, including work in eviction defense and seven years directing the Utah State Courts’ Self-Help Center.
Player also introduced a for-credit Debt Navigation elective at USU this semester, allowing students to work toward Community Justice Advocate certification as part of their degree programs.
The course is described by USU as the first of its kind in the country.
Another $35,000 grant from Wells Fargo helped establish a Field & Outreach Coordinator position to oversee the new CJA Corps.
Emily Hale was hired for the position with additional support from USU and the Utah Bar Foundation.
Hale will recruit participating agencies, coordinate field placements for trainees and certified advocates, track service hours and outcomes, and help organize assistance for defendants appearing in the new statewide court division.
The Community Justice Advocate program has already demonstrated demand for its services.
During its first year, the Transforming Communities Institute certified 16 advocates in debt navigation.
Between August 2025 and July 2026, 23 certified and provisionally certified advocates assisted 231 clients and delivered 591 free legal services through participating agencies.
Approximately 63% of clients received assistance before a lawsuit was filed, providing opportunities to address financial disputes before they reached court.
The program primarily serves individuals facing significant financial challenges.
Among clients who provided demographic information, the median income was $25,000. Half were renters, and 38% reported having experienced homelessness.
Program officials say the overlap between housing instability and financial hardship underscores the importance of offering legal assistance through organizations already serving vulnerable populations.
The university is now accepting applications for two Community Justice Advocate training courses scheduled to begin the week of Jan. 11, 2027.
The new housing advocacy course will run for 16 weeks and be offered statewide through Zoom.
The noncredit course is free for qualified participants, including current USU students and eligible professionals working in social services.
Applicants must meet at least one of the following qualifications:
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Hold a bachelor’s degree in social work or a higher degree.
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Have a social service worker license.
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Have at least six months of professional experience in case management or social services and currently work in that field.
Participants who successfully complete the course, handle cases and pass the required examination will earn certification as Community Justice Advocates in housing matters.
USU will also offer its Debt Navigation course beginning the week of Jan. 11. That course will be available statewide through Zoom in both for-credit and noncredit formats.
Applications for the housing course are due Jan. 4, 2027.
Interested students and social service professionals can apply for either course at cja.usu.edu.
Additional information is available by contacting Player at nathanael.player@usu.edu.
The Community Justice Advocate program operates under authorization from the Utah Supreme Court through the state’s legal regulatory sandbox, which allows approved innovations in the delivery of legal services.
In addition to the Utah Bar Foundation, Wells Fargo and USU, the program receives support from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation and other organizations.