Author Archives: richardzorza

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About richardzorza

I am deeply involved in access to justice and the patient voice movement.

Multi-Faceted Mobile App for Citizenship

Posted on January 22, 2013 by richardzorza

The Immigrants Action Network and Pro Bono Net have launched a great mobile app (right now in beta on Android only; IOS to come) for citizenship applicants. This is not just an info app, but a tool.  The features listed … Continue reading →

Posted in Immigration, Mobile Technology | 1 Comment

The year in “Access to Justice”: Claudia Johnson Reports on Some Statistics from this Blog

Posted on January 22, 2013 by richardzorza

From Claudia Johnson: Here I share with Richard’s permission some of the statistics behind the blog. In early 2011, when the blog just got started, the blog was getting less than 500 views a month.  The 2012 peak was reached … Continue reading →

Posted in This Blog | Comments Off on The year in “Access to Justice”: Claudia Johnson Reports on Some Statistics from this Blog

Some Reflections on a Foundational Access to Justice Technology Summit.

Posted on January 18, 2013 by richardzorza

While LSC will in the future be releasing a full Report from this week’s Access to Justice Technology Summit, I thought it appropriate to share some of my own personal impressions and hopes. It was a powerful event, with a … Continue reading →

Posted in LSC, Systematic Change, Technology | 6 Comments

The Highlight of the LSC TIG Conference

Posted on January 18, 2013 by richardzorza

LSC President Jim Sandman’s lunch address on Wednesday was for me the highlight of the TIG Conference.  Why? Not because of the clear commitment to the role of technology in the transformation of access to justice — important though that … Continue reading →

Posted in Funding, LSC, Pro Bono | 2 Comments

Bloomberg Law Article on Impact on Law Student Pro Bono Requirement

Posted on January 12, 2013 by richardzorza

Liz Tobin Tyler and David S. Udell have an article up on Bloomberg Law.  It discusses the impact of the New York bar application pro bono requirement.  Its a useful survey for those considering advocating for a similar requirement on … Continue reading →

Posted in Law Schools, Pro Bono | Comments Off on Bloomberg Law Article on Impact on Law Student Pro Bono Requirement

Jim Greiner Asks For Help with SRL Courtroom Scripts

Posted on January 12, 2013 by richardzorza

Harvard’s Jim Greiner, randomized study guru, asks for help identifying model self-represented litigant courtroom scripts. Specifically, he is working on a project in which litigants would be given written scripts that they could use orally in court to help them … Continue reading →

Posted in Judicial Ethics, Research and Evalation, Self-Help Services | 4 Comments

Maryland ATJ Commission Uses Useful Techniques to Report on Economic Benefits of Legal Aid Advocacy

Posted on January 12, 2013 by richardzorza

The Maryland Access to Justice Commission has just released a Report detailing economic benefits to the state of legal aid. As detailed in the press release, the benefits are as follows: Brought $9.9 million in federal dollars into Maryland to … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Issues, Domestic Violence, Foreclosure, Legal Aid, Outcome Measures | 1 Comment

Funded Technical Assistance on Access Availalbe to Courts from NCSC Center on Court Acces for All

Posted on January 11, 2013 by richardzorza

Funded technical assistance on access to justice is now available to Courts from the NCSC Center on Court Acces for All.  This resource could be very helpful.  Here is the website  for  the assistance program. The forms this assistance might … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Court Management, Funding, Self-Help Services | 2 Comments

Claudia Johnson on Plain Language Resources

Posted on January 7, 2013 by richardzorza

Two new Plain Language Resources for Courts and Access to Justice Initiatives In November 2012, the Maryland Access to Justice Commission released a plain plain language guide specifically for those writing instructions and materials for court users. The guide is … Continue reading →

Posted in Forms, Plain Language | Comments Off on Claudia Johnson on Plain Language Resources

New Access Brief

Posted on January 4, 2013 by richardzorza

The Center on Court Access to Justice for All, with which I am affiliated, has just released its second Access Brief, on Forms and Document assembly. Given that this Brief has the imprimatur of the National Center for State Courts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Court Management, Document Assembly, Forms, Self-Help Services | Comments Off on New Access Brief

Turner Lives

Posted on January 3, 2013 by richardzorza

An Ohio intermediate appellate court of appeals case, Crain v. Crain, 2012-Ohio-6180http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/2/2012/2012-ohio-6180.pdf correctly reads Turner v. Rogers, and reverses a contempt judgement in which counsel was denied. The defendant had been found in civil contempt for failure to make child … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Child Support, Supreme Court, Triage | Comments Off on Turner Lives

What Might a State Level Access Leadership Structure Look Like — and How We Might Move in That Direction

Posted on December 30, 2012 by richardzorza

As states assume a larger role in the long term strategy for a national access to justice infrastructure, it might be a good time to start a discussion about what a comprehensive state level access leadership structure might looks like.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, Legal Aid | 2 Comments

Boston Globe Does “Ideas” Piece on Randomized Studies of Legal Aid

Posted on December 23, 2012 by richardzorza

The Boston Globe has just run a valuable and sensible piece on the Greiner et al randomized studies.  The headline sums it up:  Free legal advice—but does it work?. The article will be very helpful in showing the value of … Continue reading →

Posted in Outcome Measures, Research and Evalation, Systematic Change | 2 Comments

Some Thoughts on the Recent Access to Justice Research Agenda Meeting

Posted on December 20, 2012 by richardzorza

As expected, the meeting held December 7 and 8 on establishing a research agenda in access to justice was exciting and productive.  There were about 40 people there, half researcher and half practitioners from courts and legal.  The meetings on … Continue reading →

Posted in Meetings, Research and Evalation | 2 Comments

LSC Announces Chief Information Officer

Posted on December 17, 2012 by richardzorza

A big step, and very good news, given the background of the person selected. Peter Campbell has worked closely with NTEN (National Technology Enterprise Network), receiving an award from them in 2011. This is what the presenter said (pasted from … Continue reading →

Posted in LSC, Technology | 1 Comment