Matthew Lab, Director of Access to Law Initiative, Offers Insight on Justice Gap in Law360 Article

SAN DIEGO (June 5, 2025) -- Matthew Lab, Director of the Access to Law Initiative (ALI) and Professional Development at California Western School of Law (CWSL), was recently quoted in Law360’s article, “More Californians Face Legal Issues, But Get Less Help,” providing insight on how to address the state’s widening justice gap.

The State Bar of California’s newly released 2024 Justice Gap Study shows that nearly 75% of Californians faced at least one civil legal problem in 2024 (up from 55% in 2019), yet 85% received no or inadequate assistance (unchanged from 2019). The gap now extends across all income levels, highlighting a growing access-to-justice crisis.

In the article, Lab emphasized the need for a multifaceted solution: “A combination of increased support and structure for incubators, which would provide a flow of new attorneys, along with collaboration and coordination with legal aid and lawyer referral partners, to provide scale and structure, could make a meaningful difference," he said.

Lab directs CWSL’s Access to Law Initiative, a program designed to support entrepreneurial and public service-minded alumni who want to enter solo or small-firm practice. Each year, ALI selects about 20 new members to participate in an 18-month training program that provides practical instruction in business planning, client development, marketing, and case management. In exchange for these resources and mentorship, ALI attorneys agree to provide 100 hours of pro bono or low bono service annually, often through free legal clinics hosted by the program.

Through its network of more than 150 alumni and partnerships with local legal organizations, ALI addresses critical gaps in community legal support, exactly the kind of solution Lab advocates.

About Matthew Lab
Matthew works closely with the Assistant Dean and Assistant Directors in the development and administration of the Career and Professional Development Office (CPDO)'s curriculum that is offered to students and graduates. Prior to joining CPDO in 2011, Matthew practiced law full time for more than nine years in both law firm and in-house corporate settings in the areas of business and real estate litigation and commercial transactions. He continues to serve as retained outside legal counsel for select local companies and teaches as a professor of business and real estate law in the Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University. Matthew earned his JD at University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings College of the Law) and holds a California Real Estate Broker's license.

About California Western School of Law   
For 100 years, California Western School of Law (CWSL) has trained practice-ready lawyers and thoughtful advocates for justice. As the first and longest-running law school in San Diego, CWSL remains committed to providing students with the fundamental knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to thrive in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. CWSL enrolls a student body representative of our diverse society, amplifying access to opportunities for social and economic mobility. Tailored programming allows students to focus on specific areas of interest, and distinguished faculty are dedicated to student growth and scholarship on critical social issues. The law school emphasizes practical, hands-on training through clinics, internships, externships, and pro bono service. CWSL is committed to excellence in education, nurturing compassionate legal professionals who use the law effectively and creatively to solve complex human and societal problems. For more information, visit www.CWSL.edu.