About Us
Laura’s Legacy
Laura Ditka transformed how Allegheny County handles sexual assault and child abuse cases throughout her distinguished 30-year legal career. As a tireless prosecutor, she tried over 160 child-abuse cases and helped create a specialized sex offender court, the first in Allegheny County and third in the nation.
Her unwavering commitment to protecting the vulnerable continues through our work at Laura’s Light.
Laura’s Legacy
Laura Ditka transformed how Allegheny County handles sexual assault and child abuse cases throughout her distinguished 30-year legal career. As a tireless prosecutor, she tried over 160 child-abuse cases and helped create a specialized sex offender court, the first in Allegheny County and third in the nation.
Her unwavering commitment to protecting the vulnerable continues through our work at Laura’s Light.
Our Story
Laura’s Light was founded in honor of Laura Ditka, a pioneering Pittsburgh attorney whose unwavering dedication to protecting survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence transformed the legal landscape in Allegheny County. Established to continue her powerful legacy, our organization has evolved from its initial fundraising efforts to implementing direct-impact programs that address crucial gaps in support services for survivors.
In 2025, we launched our signature program, Legal Network Initiative, embodying Laura’s belief that legal representation can be the critical difference for survivors seeking safety, stability, and justice. Just as Laura stood as a light of hope for countless victims, Laura’s Light continues to illuminate the path forward for those navigating the aftermath of trauma.
“To know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our Story
Laura’s Light was founded in honor of Laura Ditka, a pioneering Pittsburgh attorney whose unwavering dedication to protecting survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence transformed the legal landscape in Allegheny County. Established to continue her powerful legacy, our organization has evolved from its initial fundraising efforts to implementing direct-impact programs that address crucial gaps in support services for survivors.
In 2025, we launched our signature program, Legal Network Initiative, embodying Laura’s belief that legal representation can be the critical difference for survivors seeking safety, stability, and justice. Just as Laura stood as a light of hope for countless victims, Laura’s Light continues to illuminate the path forward for those navigating the aftermath of trauma.
“To know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our Mission
Founded in honor of the memory of Laura Ditka, a prominent Pittsburgh attorney, Laura’s Light’s mission is to initiate and support programs and organizations that protect and support victims of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence, and create awareness in communities of Laura’s Light’s purpose.
We fulfill this mission by connecting survivors with pro bono legal representation, ensuring that financial circumstances never prevent access to necessary legal services. By bridging the justice gap, we empower survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
Why Legal Aid
After three years of careful assessment and planning, Laura’s Light has identified a critical gap in services for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence: legal representation for those who don’t qualify for Legal Aid but cannot afford private attorneys.
In 2025, we pivoted to focus primarily on this underserved population through our Legal Network Initiative program because:
-
The need is substantial: Thousands of survivors fall into this justice gap annually
- Financial barriers prevent healing: Without affordable legal representation, many survivors remain trapped in cycles of abuse
- The impact is transformative: When survivors have access to quality legal representation, their outcomes improve dramatically across all areas of recovery
- It honors Laura’s legacy: As a prosecutor who transformed how the legal system responds to abuse, this program continues her life’s work
Our Legal Network connects survivors with qualified pro bono attorneys who provide representation in protection orders, custody proceedings, divorce cases, housing issues, and other legal matters arising from sexual assault and domestic violence.
The Reality of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
Sexual assault and domestic violence affect thousands of individuals in Allegheny County each year. The impact extends beyond immediate safety concerns, creating complex legal challenges that often remain unaddressed without proper representation.
Most critically, a significant justice gap exists for those who earn too much to qualify for traditional Legal Aid services but too little to afford private attorneys—the population known as ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed). These individuals often face impossible choices between legal protection and financial stability.
View Comprehensive Statistics – Learn more about the scope of sexual assault and domestic violence in our community and the critical need for accessible legal services.
Our Mission
Founded in honor of the memory of Laura Ditka, a prominent Pittsburgh attorney, Laura’s Light’s mission is to initiate and support programs and organizations that protect and support victims of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence, and create awareness in communities of Laura’s Light’s purpose.
We fulfill this mission by connecting survivors with pro bono legal representation, ensuring that financial circumstances never prevent access to necessary legal services. By bridging the justice gap, we empower survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
Why Legal Aid
After three years of careful assessment and planning, Laura’s Light has identified a critical gap in services for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence: legal representation for those who don’t qualify for Legal Aid but cannot afford private attorneys.
In 2025, we pivoted to focus primarily on this underserved population through our Legal Network Initiative program because:
-
The need is substantial: Thousands of survivors fall into this justice gap annually
- Financial barriers prevent healing: Without affordable legal representation, many survivors remain trapped in cycles of abuse
- The impact is transformative: When survivors have access to quality legal representation, their outcomes improve dramatically across all areas of recovery
- It honors Laura’s legacy: As a prosecutor who transformed how the legal system responds to abuse, this program continues her life’s work
Our Legal Network connects survivors with qualified pro bono attorneys who provide representation in protection orders, custody proceedings, divorce cases, housing issues, and other legal matters arising from sexual assault and domestic violence.
The Reality of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
Sexual assault and domestic violence affect thousands of individuals in Allegheny County each year. The impact extends beyond immediate safety concerns, creating complex legal challenges that often remain unaddressed without proper representation.
Most critically, a significant justice gap exists for those who earn too much to qualify for traditional Legal Aid services but too little to afford private attorneys—the population known as ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed). These individuals often face impossible choices between legal protection and financial stability.
View Comprehensive Statistics – Learn more about the scope of sexual assault and domestic violence in our community and the critical need for accessible legal services.
Our Impact
Laura’s Light’s legal aid program directly addresses this gap by connecting survivors with qualified pro bono attorneys, removing financial barriers to legal representation, and providing support for legal fees, court costs, and filing fees. Through these efforts, the program creates a pathway to safety, stability, and justice.
Our Impact
Laura’s Light’s legal aid program directly addresses this gap by connecting survivors with qualified pro bono attorneys, removing financial barriers to legal representation, and providing support for legal fees, court costs, and filing fees. Through these efforts, the program creates a pathway to safety, stability, and justice.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Need Legal Assistance?
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Want to Support Our Mission?
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