Monthly Archives: June 2013

Implications for the Access to Justice Coalition of Large Firm Trends

Posted on June 26, 2013 by richardzorza

There is an excellent and deeply provocative op-ed in today’s New York Times about the recent compensation and staffing trends in large firms.  The op-ed points out that the recent terminations and partner compensation changes at Weil, Gotshal & Manges … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 2 Comments

Australia Starts Study “Productivity” Study on ATJ Generally

Posted on June 24, 2013 by richardzorza

Today seems to be a day for hearing about new angles on access to justice.  Steve Grumm at the ABA has just tipped me off to the fascinating news that the Australian government has asked its productivity Commission “to undertake … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, International Models, Systematic Change | 1 Comment

Should We Think of Legal Insurance as a Health Care Benefit

Posted on June 24, 2013 by richardzorza

The recently published randomized research on the impact of having health insurance raises a fascinating question about whether we should start to think about we might think of legal insurance as a health benefit. The research itself, very well summarized … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Medical System Comparision, Research and Evalation | 2 Comments

David Udell Blogs on New York City Bar Report on Non-Lawyer Practice

Posted on June 21, 2013 by richardzorza

David Udell, drawing on the blog from the New York City Bar,  blogs at the National Center for Access to Justice on the just-released New York City Bar Association Report on the potential of non-lawyer practice to help fill the … Continue reading →

Posted in Non-Lawyer Practice | 1 Comment

AP Running Access to Justice Innovation Story

Posted on June 21, 2013 by richardzorza

The AP, and ABC, are running a story on an access inititive that uses faith based organizations to get the word about pro bono help out. Tennessee’s faith-based initiative is unusual compared to most legal aid programs across the country … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, Pro Bono | Comments Off on AP Running Access to Justice Innovation Story

Professor in Nederlands On Strategies for Access Change

Posted on June 17, 2013 by richardzorza

I am just back from the International Legal Aid Group meeting in the Nederlands.  While I plan to share several ideas from the meeting, I want to start with some overall strategic thoughts from Prof. Maurits Barendrecht of HiiL/Tilburg University. … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Funding, Legal Aid, Simplification, Systematic Change | 2 Comments

Mass ATJ Commission Proposes Adding Access Issues to Bar Exam

Posted on June 13, 2013 by richardzorza

This is a great idea, and also an illustration of how Commissions can push the envelope. The Massachusetts Commission has proposed to the state Board of Bar Examiners that access to justice issues be added to the bar exam.  Memo … Continue reading →

Posted in Law Schools, Legal Ethics | Tagged , | 1 Comment

My Simplification Paper Now Out

Posted on June 12, 2013 by richardzorza

Just posted — my Drake Law Review paper on simplification: Some First Thoughts on Court Simplification: The Key to Civil Access and Justice Transformation. Here is the abstract: Given the discrepancy between access to justice needs and the resources that … Continue reading →

Posted in Simplification, Systematic Change | 9 Comments

World Bank Meeting on Legal Aid/Access to Justice in Mediterranean Rim Countries

Posted on June 5, 2013 by richardzorza

I was privileged to be at a meeting organized by the World Bank and the Center for Mediterranean Integration on legal aid and access to justice in Mediterranean Rim countries in Marseilles.  (I know, a tough job.)  It is, sadly, … Continue reading →

Posted in International Cooperation, International Models | 1 Comment

Comment on English Legal Aid Cut Proposals Highlights Value of Client Choice

Posted on June 3, 2013 by richardzorza

As most know, the England/Wales legal aid system is going through a major set of cuts, with the government “consultation” proposing a variety of major policy changes to reduce the overall cost of the system.  Richard Moorhead, a highly reflective … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, International Models | 1 Comment

Interesting Article on Ideas to Change Ethics Rules to Facilitate Pro Bono

Posted on June 1, 2013 by richardzorza

Esther Lardent of the Pro Bono Institute has an interesting article in the National Law Journal on how current ethics rules inhibit pro bono.  Lots of good ideas for change here. Limits in multi-jurisdictional practice get in the way of … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal Ethics, Pro Bono | Comments Off on Interesting Article on Ideas to Change Ethics Rules to Facilitate Pro Bono