Author Archives: richardzorza

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About richardzorza

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

Court Technology Confernce (October 4-6) Registration Open David Pogue to Speak

Posted on May 17, 2011 by richardzorza

From the description: The Court Technology Conference (CTC), established in 1984 and sponsored by the National Center for State Courts, is the largest court technology conference in the world. Every other year, CTC brings together more than 1,500 court professionals … Continue reading →

Posted in Meetings, Technology | Comments Off on Court Technology Confernce (October 4-6) Registration Open David Pogue to Speak

California Conference on Self-Represented Litigants — Open for Out-of-Staters — Now Open for Registration

Posted on May 15, 2011 by richardzorza

This is highly recommended.  The Conference will be in San Franciso at the Milton Marks Conference Center, 455 Golden Gate Avenue.  The main conference begins on Thursday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. and lasts until 3:30 p.m. on Friday, June … Continue reading →

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“Freedom Riders” on PBS American Experience Monday May 16

Posted on May 13, 2011 by richardzorza

I don’t usually use this blog to push TV programs, but this is different. I was privileged to see this film at the National Archives yesterday, in the presence of some of the original Riders, and to hear from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | Comments Off on “Freedom Riders” on PBS American Experience Monday May 16

California Judicial Council Approves Seven Shriver Pilot Project Grants: Court Involvement, Triage and Evaluation

Posted on May 13, 2011 by richardzorza

The California Judicial Council has approved seven Shriver “civil Gideon” pilot grants (with some for two projects within the same grant).  The overall project includes required court involvement, triage, and a broad evaluation.  Note that notwithstanding media description otherwise, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Funding, Research and Evalation | Tagged | 1 Comment

UK Court Criticizes Govt for Sectetly Trying to Block UK Legal Aid Funding for Anti-Torure Cases: Court Overturns Standing Regulations

Posted on May 12, 2011 by richardzorza

US readers may find that wrapping our minds around this one takes a bit of effort. In a recent case, a British court has criticized the government for secretly trying to block legal aid funding for cases that challenged torture, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, International Models, Legal Aid | Tagged , , | Comments Off on UK Court Criticizes Govt for Sectetly Trying to Block UK Legal Aid Funding for Anti-Torure Cases: Court Overturns Standing Regulations

Indications that Foreclosure Politial/Legal Tide May be Turning

Posted on May 12, 2011 by richardzorza

The LA Times has a fascinating story about the decline in foreclosures.  The lead para:  “Increased scrutiny of how lenders foreclose on Americans has dragged the repossession process out to unprecedented lengths, driving down the pace at which banks are … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Foreclosure | Comments Off on Indications that Foreclosure Politial/Legal Tide May be Turning

Data on Use of Libraries for Access to Law

Posted on May 11, 2011 by richardzorza

I have just been told abut a great study on the use of public libraries, inluding for access to justice. The study, Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries includes data on use … Continue reading →

Posted in Libraries, Technology | Comments Off on Data on Use of Libraries for Access to Law

ABA Posts Draft Standards for Language Access in the Courts — A Massive Project

Posted on May 9, 2011 by richardzorza

ABA’s SCAID has now posted its Draft Standards for Language Access in the Courts.  The project is described here.  The Steering Committee and Project Advisory Group are listed here.  There will be an Open Forum/Teleconference on Thursday, May 26, 2011, … Continue reading →

Posted in LEP, Self-Help Services | 1 Comment

Code of Judicial Conduct: NH Adopts Improved Language — Better Than ABA Model on Self-Represented

Posted on May 7, 2011 by richardzorza

Here is the recently adopted NH language on the self-represented.  The language is effective April 1, 2011, as part of an overall adoption of a version generally based on the ABA model.  I think it is  significant improvement on the … Continue reading →

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Self-Represented Appeals — Article on Los Angeles Program

Posted on May 6, 2011 by richardzorza

Just out.  Article on Los Angeles appellate program for the self-represented. From the Abstract: In Los Angeles, a new model seeks to better meet the needs of both indigent pro se appellate litigants and the courts, by providing a staffed … Continue reading →

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What Online Services Does Your State Government Provide for Key Low Income Benefit Programs — Center for Budget Maps the States

Posted on May 5, 2011 by richardzorza

The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities has just revised its Report (html version) collecting detailed information on the services that are provided online by all the states for the key low-income benefit programs:  SNAP (the benefit program previously known … Continue reading →

Posted in Document Assembly, Forms, Technology | Tagged | Comments Off on What Online Services Does Your State Government Provide for Key Low Income Benefit Programs — Center for Budget Maps the States

Foreclosure and Court Simplificaton Model: South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Orders No Foreclosure Without Prior Opportunity to Participate in Modification Programs

Posted on May 4, 2011 by richardzorza

The South Carolina Supreme Court is quietly  becoming an access to justice leader.  This week the Court, through an Administrative Order issued by Chief Jean Toal, takes another simple and sensible step, this time in the foreclosure area.  The Order … Continue reading →

Posted in Foreclosure, Systematic Change | Tagged , | Comments Off on Foreclosure and Court Simplificaton Model: South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Orders No Foreclosure Without Prior Opportunity to Participate in Modification Programs

Stephanie Kimbro’s Attorney Guide to Unbundling E-Book Now Online

Posted on May 4, 2011 by richardzorza

Stephanie’s book Serving the DIY Client: A Guide to Unbundling Legal Services for the Private Practitioner is now online.  It is clear, well laid out, practical, and easy to read and follow.  I am sure that it will be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Middle Income, Technology, Unbundling | Comments Off on Stephanie Kimbro’s Attorney Guide to Unbundling E-Book Now Online

Nolo Press Acquired by Internet Brands — Implications?

Posted on May 3, 2011 by richardzorza

Richard Granat has a worrying analysis of some recent news, the purchase by Internet Brands of Nolo (know to many of us as Nolo Press). Richard’s view in summary: It will be interesting to see how Internet Brands integrates these … Continue reading →

Posted in Document Assembly, Middle Income, Self-Help Services | Tagged | Comments Off on Nolo Press Acquired by Internet Brands — Implications?

More On Poll Showing Demand for Unbundled Services: NewsMaker Interview with Richard Cassidy, Chair, ABA Delivery Committee

Posted on May 3, 2011 by richardzorza

Our next NewsMaker Interview is with Rich Cassidy, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services, and focuses on the major implications of the important recent poll that Committee conducted on questions related to how people … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Newsmaker Interview | 2 Comments