Sunset for Washington Access to Justice Program Stuns Students

Driven by her years-long interest in the law and the desire to help others, former dental hygienist Stacy Davis signed up for a Washington state program in 2018 that would give her some ability to practice law.

Two years later and nearly $30,000 in debt, she won’t be certified as a Limited License Legal Technician because the state’s Supreme Court voted to sunset the program faster than she can complete its qualifying prerequisites, citing the overall costs of sustaining it and a lack of interest.

The high court decision, announced June 5, comes as several other states—including populous California and ...