The system’s design flaw
The U.S. litigation system, despite its promises of fairness, often feels like it was designed for multimillion-dollar disputes. Everyday people with legitimate grievances—whose cases are too large for small claims court (with limits of roughly $10,000–$25,000 in most states) yet far too small to justify complex litigation budgets exceeding $100,000—are trapped in what amounts to a justice desert.
The middle-class squeeze
The middle class earns too much to qualify for free legal aid, but too little to afford $100,000+ in legal fees. Even people who qualify for pro bono resources still get turned down—1 out of 2 pro bono requests are denied. Meanwhile, legal fees increase 9% every year, far outpacing inflation.
The impossible choice
Navigating this impossible problem means: abandoning your rights, being forced to accept unfair settlements, or gambling your family's financial future just to afford representation.