Legal Assistance Fund Membership

The TASB Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) advocates for public schools in legal proceedings before courts and regulatory agencies with the goal of favorably impacting the outcome of legal rulings and determinations affecting public education. In most legal proceedings, LAF provides assistance in the form of an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court,” brief. An amicus brief explains to the court why a school district’s legal position should prevail and how the court’s decision will affect other Texas school districts. LAF’s briefs are written by highly qualified and knowledgeable school attorneys from across the state. These briefs have played an important role in the outcome of several significant court cases affecting public schools.

In the 40 years since its inception, LAF has filed hundreds of amicus briefs.

Background and Leadership

LAF was established in December 1980. It is administered by a seven-member board of trustees made up of TASB’s president, president-elect, and a vice president; the president and president-elect of the Texas Association of School Administrators; and the chair and vice-chair of the Texas Council of School Attorneys. The TASB president serves as chair. Currently, approximately 750 school districts are members.

We hope that through LAF’s efforts, courts and the community at large will gain a better understanding of how important legal issues affect education in our state.

Membership Information

More than three-fourths of all Texas school districts currently participate in LAF. To become members of LAF, school districts make an annual contribution as follows:

• $200 (ADA 1,599 or less)
• $350 (ADA 1,600-5,000)
• $500 (ADA more than 5,000)

Contact Information

For more information, call us at 800-580-5345 or email us at laf@tasb.org.