Author Archives: richardzorza

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About richardzorza

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

Judge Fern Fisher Testifies for Court Simplification as Access Solution

Posted on October 1, 2011 by richardzorza

This is an important harbinger.  Judge Fern A. Fisher, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, NYC Courts and Director of the NYS Courts Access to Justice Program, recently testified to a state Access Task Force Hearing about the importance of court simplification … Continue reading →

Posted in Court Management, Forms, Systematic Change | Comments Off on Judge Fern Fisher Testifies for Court Simplification as Access Solution

Illiinois LegalAid Online Launches iPhone App

Posted on September 30, 2011 by richardzorza

No surprise here, Illinois LegalAid Online remains in the forefront with their iPhone App, downloadable here. The description is as follows: A field guide to Illinois law. Made for non-lawyers. Get easy to understand legal tools for issues like divorce, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mobile Technology, Self-Help Services, Technology | Tagged | 4 Comments

Economist Magazine Joins the Chorus on Court Funding

Posted on September 29, 2011 by richardzorza

The Economist magazine is highly respected in the business and conservative intellectual communities.  So it is perhaps an important milestone when it joins the chorus on the damage that underfunding of courts is doing to the social and economic fabric. … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Funding | 1 Comment

On Apologies — Lessons for Litigants and Administrators

Posted on September 29, 2011 by richardzorza

The Washington Post has an interesting article on the success or failure of apologies. Peter H. Kim, associate professor at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, writes about his research which indicates that whether or … Continue reading →

Posted in Court Management, Judicial Ethics, Science | Comments Off on On Apologies — Lessons for Litigants and Administrators

New York Continues Hearing Process for Access Funding — Lessons for Us All

Posted on September 28, 2011 by richardzorza

As you know, this blog has previously drawn attention to the unusual  success of New York Chief Justice Jonathan Lippman in increasing access to civil legal services.  His approach, described in detail in our NewsMaker Interview, is to have groups … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, Access to Justice Generally, Funding | 1 Comment

British Columbia Leaflet on Preparing for an Interview with a Lawyer

Posted on September 26, 2011 by richardzorza

This leaflet is an interesting model, prepared for litigants in the Supreme (i.e Superior) Court of BC. Titled “A Guide to a Successful Interview with a Lawyer” the leaflet includes a step by step process for preparing for an efficient … Continue reading →

Posted in Attorney-Client | Tagged | Comments Off on British Columbia Leaflet on Preparing for an Interview with a Lawyer

NewsMaker Interview — Fred Rooney on the CUNY Incubator

Posted on September 22, 2011 by richardzorza

Today’s Newsmaker Interview is with Fred Rooney at CUNY Law School.  He directs CUNY’s Community Legal Resource Network (CLRN) and, along with Sue Bryant, created the Incubator for Justice program, which helps law gradates transition to economically viable solo and … Continue reading →

Posted in Law Schools, Middle Income, Mixed Model, Newsmaker Interview | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Judge Kevin Burke, New President of American Judges Association, Now Blogging

Posted on September 21, 2011 by richardzorza

Many of you have heard Judge Burke (Wikipedia entry) speak forcefully and movingly about the need for access to justice and the role of courts in making sure it is provided.  Judge Burke was one of the first judges in … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Judicial Ethics, This Blog | Tagged , | 1 Comment

California Courts Seek Comment on Draft Principles on Technology and Access to Justice

Posted on September 20, 2011 by richardzorza

In an important development for the interaction of technology and access to justice, the California Court system is developing a document titled: Advancing Access to Justice Through Technology: Principles for Judicial Branch Initiatives.  It is intended for ultimate approval by … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Self-Help Services, Systematic Change, Technology | Comments Off on California Courts Seek Comment on Draft Principles on Technology and Access to Justice

Martha Minow Talks About LSC Strategic Planning Process, TIG, etc.

Posted on September 19, 2011 by richardzorza

This is encouraging.  Martha Minow, Vice-Chair of the LSC Board (as well as Dean of Harvard Law School), was recently interviewed by Spindle Law blog.  Some questions were about LSC.  Here is that exchange in full (look particularly at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Funding, LSC, Technology | 1 Comment

Comcast Offers Low Price Internet to Families That Get Free School Lunches

Posted on September 16, 2011 by richardzorza

Comcast has launched a $9.95 a month broadband service (plus taxes) called Internet Essentials for families with a child who gets free school lunches (those who get partially subsidized lunches do NOT qualify).  Here is the PC World description of … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty, Technology | Comments Off on Comcast Offers Low Price Internet to Families That Get Free School Lunches

Esther Lardent Calls for Triage, Simplification and Trained Non-Lawyer Assistance

Posted on September 15, 2011 by richardzorza

Ester Lardent is one the most thoughtful pro bono (and indeed access) leaders. It is very encouraging to see her endorse triage and simplification in a recent opinion piece in the National Law Journal and available on Law.com.  Triage and … Continue reading →

Posted in Pro Bono, Systematic Change, Triage | Comments Off on Esther Lardent Calls for Triage, Simplification and Trained Non-Lawyer Assistance

Can Courts be “Cosmopolitan Canopies?”

Posted on September 13, 2011 by richardzorza

The Washington Post has a nice article today about the concept of “Cosmopolitan Canopies,” places where diverse people can come together and interact.  The idea is explored in a book by Yale Professor Elija Anderson, called The Cosmopolitan Canopy, Race … Continue reading →

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Questions and Answers About the Attorney Diagnosis Proposal

Posted on September 12, 2011 by richardzorza

Recently, I blogged about what I called the “Attorney Diagnosis” approach to Triage for Access to Justice.  I believe that Turner may require not necessarily this, but at least some system that decides who needs what in terms of services … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Access to Justice Generally, Legal Aid, Research and Evalation, Systematic Change | Tagged , | Comments Off on Questions and Answers About the Attorney Diagnosis Proposal

Jim McMillan Blogs on E-Filing and the Self-Represented

Posted on September 9, 2011 by richardzorza

Jim McMillan of NCSC’s Court Technology Bulletin blogs today on his Rule 6 for e-filing. E-Filing Must Support the Self-Represented The whole post is very valuable, but here is some of the key language: So how are states going to … Continue reading →

Posted in Forms, Technology | Tagged | Comments Off on Jim McMillan Blogs on E-Filing and the Self-Represented