Author Archives: richardzorza

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About richardzorza

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

Massachusetts Supreme Court Upholds Video Streaming of Court Proceedings

Posted on March 21, 2012 by richardzorza

Here is the beginning of the Boston Globe story: The highest court in Massachusetts on Wednesday rejected challenges to a pilot project that continuously streams live, unedited court proceedings from one of the busiest courtrooms in the state. The “OpenCourt” … Continue reading →

Posted in Transparency | 1 Comment

Maybe Not Such a Bad Thing — LSAT Test Taking Is Down

Posted on March 20, 2012 by richardzorza

The New York Times reports an almost 25% decline in the number of LSAT tests taken in the last two years.  The Times reports: The decline reflects a spreading view that the legal market in the United States is in … Continue reading →

Posted in Law Schools | 2 Comments

Idaho Rule Allows for Informal Custody Trial — Could be an Important Idea

Posted on March 15, 2012 by richardzorza

John Greacen recently pointed out this very interesting rule that the Idaho Courts have adopted, permitting informal custody trials: Rule 16(p).  Informal Custody Trial.      (1) An Informal Custody Trial is an optional alternative trial procedure that is voluntarily agreed … Continue reading →

Posted in Judicial Ethics, Systematic Change | 1 Comment

Interesting Points in DOJ Language Access Letter to North Carolina Courts

Posted on March 13, 2012 by richardzorza

The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice has sent a letter to the North Carolina Courts as part of its investgatory and enforcment process with respect to Language access.  The letter and accompanying materials are here. (Hereafter letter.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Dept. of Justice, LEP | Tagged | 1 Comment

More on Public Welfare Foundation Grant to ABA for ATJ Commissions Work

Posted on March 10, 2012 by richardzorza

Here is more information on the new grant to the ABA to support ATJ Commissions. An American Bar Association project has been selected to administer a $270,000 grant to support state panels that promote access to civil justice for low-income … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, Funding | Comments Off on More on Public Welfare Foundation Grant to ABA for ATJ Commissions Work

Public Welfare Foundation Grants in Access to Justice

Posted on March 9, 2012 by richardzorza

The Public Welfare Foundation has announced two grants for access to justice.  They are being made under its Special Opportunities Fund.  This is how they are described on the Foundations Website. These companion projects are part of a Special Initiative … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, Funding, Self-Help Services | 1 Comment

Self-Represented Litigation Network Pre-Conference at Equal Justice Conference May 16 Jacksonville Fl.

Posted on March 9, 2012 by richardzorza

As in prior years, there will be a pre-conference focusing on self-represented issue the day before the main Equal Justice Conference.  The pre-conference is Wed May 16, and the main conference is Thur May 17, to Sat May 19.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Meetings | 1 Comment

Texting for Citizenship

Posted on March 7, 2012 by richardzorza

CitizenshipWorks has a new text app out. Just text “citizenship” (“ciudadania” in Spanish) to 877877 and receive the location and contact information of nearby legal services providers as well as information about the naturalization process. Nice.  

Posted in Technology | Tagged , | Comments Off on Texting for Citizenship

Claudia Johnson on Lay Legal Self-Help Support in the Small Claims Context—A Trend To Watch?

Posted on March 7, 2012 by richardzorza

In health care it is very common that persons who suffer from long term conditions or illness, or go through traumatic experiences, join self help support groups. Doctors often recommend support groups to help persons learn about self care, increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Attorney-Client, Foreclosure, Self-Help Services | 4 Comments

Free LSC Webinar on TIG Programs and Language Access, Wed March 14

Posted on March 6, 2012 by richardzorza

Here is part of the announcement: On Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) LSC will host “Language Access and LSC’s TIG Program: Legal Aid and Court Collaborations.” LSC is offering this webinar to help legal services providers better … Continue reading →

Posted in LEP, LSC, Technology | 1 Comment

Boston Bar Releases Its Report on Housing Studies

Posted on March 5, 2012 by richardzorza

The Boston Bar Association Task Force on the Civil Right to Counsel has just issued its Report on the pilots that it made possible, and that were the subject of, Jim Greiner’s randomization studies.  The Report includes survey data and … Continue reading →

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

Bloomberg Editorial Board Endorses Forms, Self-Help Services, Unbundling

Posted on March 5, 2012 by richardzorza

The Bloomberg Editorial Board looks at the Texas forms brouhaha and comes out in favor of innovations for access: The Supreme Court of Texas, like courts in dozens of other states and counties, wants to make things easier by providing … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Forms, Self-Help Services, Unbundling | Tagged | 3 Comments

Legal Zoom Terminates Rush Limbaugh Show Advertizing

Posted on March 5, 2012 by richardzorza

Those who follow the document assembly market will be interested that LegalZoom has terminated advertizing with the the Rush Limbaugh show (this link currently shows Limbaugh statement of apology). The New York Times reports, towards the end of its story … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Document Assembly | Comments Off on Legal Zoom Terminates Rush Limbaugh Show Advertizing

Collection of SRL Data

Posted on February 29, 2012 by richardzorza

Yet more useful info from the Texas forms process. Here is the summary of national data on SRL distribution gathered by the Texas Access to Justice Commission: Nationwide 2009 survey by Self-Represented Litigation Network 60% judges reported increase in pro … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, Research and Evalation, SRL Statistics | 1 Comment

A New Cut at Triage Principles

Posted on February 28, 2012 by richardzorza

A few weeks ago, I bogged on some principles for triage that had come out of a meeting at the TIG conference. Since then I have elaborated and expanded them, including expanded their scope to include triage conducted to determine … Continue reading →

Posted in Court Management, Technology, Transparency, Triage | 3 Comments