Comments for Richard Zorza's Access to Justice Blog

Comment on Claudia Johnson Blogs on Location of Services Where the Poor Now Are — in the Suburbs by Claudia Johnson

Claudia Johnson — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:03:45 +0000

An update on suburban poverty. Rate of growth now estimated at 64%. 3 Million more are suburban poor than urban poor–yet the infrastucture and delivery of services remains mostly in the cities. http://money.cnn.com/interactive/economy/suburban-poverty/

Comment on David Udell Blogs on New Jerseys Consideration of Bar Admission Pro Bono Requirment by Richard Granat

Richard Granat — Sat, 18 May 2013 08:04:37 +0000

Pro bono is not an adequate answer to the access to justice problem in the United States. We need more fundamental change. If the bar associations can’t fix the problem of affordability of legal services by 85% of the US population, they need to step aside and let real system wide innovation do its work. I am tired about hearing pro bono as an answer to the access to justice problem. It’s a very limited solution, and grounded in bar association politics.

Comment on Maximizing the Impact of Turner v. Rogers — Judges’ Journal Article on Courtroom Best Practices by Judges and Self-represented Litigants: Implications of Turner v. Rogers | Oregon Legal Research Blog

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:51:22 +0000

[…] in the ABA Judges Journal, which you can link to from Zorza’s Access to Justice blog post: Maximizing the Impact of Turner v. Rogers — Judges’ Journal Article on Courtroom Best Practices U.S. Supreme Court: Turner v. Rogers, decided: 06/20/2011 (PDF from the U.S. Supreme Court. You […]

Comment on National Center for State Courts Strategic Campaign Prioritizes Access to Justice and Sets Rules Simplification as Objective by Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:43:16 +0000

When it comes to access to justice, it seems to me that one’s Constitutional Rights guaranteed are not contingent on budgetary constraints for the purpose of supporting those in the legal profession. When I come across the heart wrenching realities of our “judicial” system as is set forth in the article below, I can’t wrap my head around why it is that we citizens (including those in the legal profession) continue to financially support an exclusive system which has alienated the majority of American citizens, including those who are poor and of color. When did the right to justice, equal protection of the laws or to petition the government for redress become contingent on whether one has access to an attorney or funding? I thought we left that outside the door when we departed from English rule. Didn’t we learn anything from Gideon? This is one major underlying issue which must be discussed.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/murder_is_our_national_sport_20130512/

Respectfully -

Comment on Time for An Overall Evaluation of the ATJ Commission Network? by Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:06:29 +0000

Great to see that budgetary issues are not the focus on ATJC Connecticut. Its also wonderful to see that there are citizens from all spaces interested in the health of the judicial system;s infrastructure. The general public needs to have their voices heard by public servants in the Judiciary.

Comment on Time for An Overall Evaluation of the ATJ Commission Network? by Jon Mark

Jon Mark — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:33:05 +0000

Reblogged this on Texas Poverty Law Blog.

Comment on Time for An Overall Evaluation of the ATJ Commission Network? by Heather

Heather — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:22:48 +0000

In Connecticut, our ATJC was established by our Chief Justice to capture under one umbrella the variety of efforts within the Judicial Branch to increase access to justice (many of those efforts were formalized under the implementation of our long-term Strategic Plan). What I think is unique is that our membership, and the membership of the previous Public Service & Trust Commission, is as diverse as our stakeholders, and everyone has an equal voice. Represented are law schools; various members of the Bar, including the DAG, CPD, and SA from the public sector, and, from the private sector in-house counsel, big law, solo and mid-size firms, and of course, our legal aid community. The Commission is co-chaired by two judges; Branch staff also play key roles, and the Judge who chairs the Branch’s (very active) Pro Bono Committee is also a member. The Commission supported a (successful) effort by one of the legal aid members to secure a grant, and we are partnering with three legal aid providers in seeking a grant that will seed the foundation of a legal aid fellows program that will be largely funded by corporate donors. Again, the collaboration here is huge. Interestingly, there is no per se Commission budget; the ATJC is chaired by Judges and supported by staff who provide research, information sharing, etc. to all members. We are about to begin implementing a few projects that were recommneded in our first Annual Report and we will expand and contract our membership as necessary (projects include establishing a plan for a statewide moderate means program similar to Washington State; developoing a concrete collaboration between law librarians, public librarians, legal aid providers and the Branch’s Court Service Center staff that will give the public librarians the tools they need to assist folks in accessing information; and developing pro bono projects that make use of technology, and increase pro bono). While lots of other states have Commissions with dedicated (and compensated) staff, what we are doing so far seems to be working.

Comment on Towards a New Accss-Friendly Rules Project by Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:18:42 +0000

In response to your question: “Where do we get this conversation going? In law schools? In access commissions? At the Courts?”

I believe this oonversation should involve all of the above Equally as important, this discussion should be a public one. After all, we here in the United States are “citizens” and not “subjects” which gives us much more responsibility to engage in our “civic” duties. Civics education is a key element in bringing forth a more educated society which would have the effect of demanding access to information, justice and accountability. It is clear that something very important has been lost despite all of the legislative enactments, Constitutional amendments and billions of dollars poured into the governmental system to make a more “educated” citizenry. At least, the dialogue has begun.

Comment on Time For a National Center on Mobile Access to Justice by Access to Justice: Lawyer Referral, Self-Represented Litigants, Courthouse Self-Help, and more | Oregon Legal Research Blog

Wed, 08 May 2013 21:33:33 +0000

[...] “Time for a National Center on Mobile Access to Justice,” posted [...]

Comment on New Report on Evolving Role of Law Libraries in the 21st Century by Access to Justice & the Evolving Role of Law Libraries in the 21st Century | Oregon Legal Research Blog

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:40:43 +0000

[...] “Report on Evolving Role of Law Libraries in the 21st Century,” by Richard Zorza [...]