Author Archives: richardzorza

Unknown's avatar

About richardzorza

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

This Might be Fun — Games for Change

Posted on April 13, 2011 by richardzorza

Games for Change will have its Festival June 20-22, in NYC. From the Website Games for Change Annual Festival Often referred to as “the Sundance of Video Games”, the Games for Change Annual Festival is the biggest gaming event in … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Quick Budget Update — 2011 Continuing Resolution Detail

Posted on April 12, 2011 by richardzorza

Here is a quick access to justice update (to the best of my understanding) of the implications in the Continuing Resolution agreed to by the President and House and Senate leadership.  It has not yet been passed in either chamber. … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Budget Issues, Legal Aid | Comments Off on Quick Budget Update — 2011 Continuing Resolution Detail

Quick Clarification on Post About Judicial Discretion

Posted on April 11, 2011 by richardzorza

I have updated the prior blog about judicial discretion to include clarification from one of the co-authors on the frequency of releases at the end of sessions.  It is not quite as dramatic as in the quoted language — but … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 1 Comment

On the Predictabilty of Judicial Discretion — Implications for Judicial Education

Posted on April 11, 2011 by richardzorza

The Guardian is running a potentially very disturbing study about judicial decisions at parole hearings in Israel.  The study finds strong correlations between when in a session (relative to food breaks) a case is heard and the outcome.  The paper … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Judicial Ethics, Research and Evalation | Tagged | 3 Comments

Poetry, Law and Songwriting

Posted on April 11, 2011 by richardzorza

A challenging thought in a book review in yesterdays NYT Book Reivew. The writer of the review, of a book on poetry notes: The poetry columnist for the Book Review, Orr is also an attorney, which makes sense: a good … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

British Columbia: Chief Judge says Lower Legal Rates or Give Up Monopoly; Legal Aid Commission Report Makes Innovative Suggestions

Posted on April 10, 2011 by richardzorza

As reported in the Vancouver Sun the Chief Judge of the British Columbia Court of Appeals: “has suggested lawyers either significantly lower their fees — now averaging about $340 an hour — or agree to give up their monopolistic hold … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Access to Justice Boards, Middle Income | Tagged , | Comments Off on British Columbia: Chief Judge says Lower Legal Rates or Give Up Monopoly; Legal Aid Commission Report Makes Innovative Suggestions

Do We Have Too High a Tolerance for Error in the Justice System?

Posted on April 8, 2011 by richardzorza

One plane pops a hole, no one is seriously hurt, and, as there should be, there’s saturation media coverage, immediate inspections of a portion of the fleet, and deep soul searching about our preventive systems. But DNA exonerations suggest that … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Domestic Violence, Research and Evalation, Systematic Change, Technology | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Pro Bono By Governmet Employees During Shutdowns — Not So Simple — Potential Ethics Problems and Need for Prior Approval

Posted on April 7, 2011 by richardzorza

I have just received heard from Laura Klein, Pro Bono Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Chair of the Federal Government Pro Bono Program, on the issue of pro bono participation by attorneys during the possible … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 2 Comments

Government Shutdowns — Pro Bono Expansion Opportunity — But Subject to Federal Agency Prior Ethics Approval Under Ethics Rules

Posted on April 7, 2011 by richardzorza

APRIL 8 UPDATE: With the threat of immediate shutdown apparently averted, I have updated the language below slightly to be potentially relevant if the threat returns.  It might be a time for pro bono programs to consider contingency planning, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 1 Comment

Computer Analysis of Politicians Press Releases — A Model for Court Transcipt Analysis?

Posted on April 7, 2011 by richardzorza

A recent Harvard study, reported in the Washington Post, used computer analysis tools to deconstruct how Senators used their press releases.  In addition to the categories of use they were expecting, they found something they were not;  the researcher, Prof … Continue reading →

Posted in Research and Evalation, Science, Systematic Change | Comments Off on Computer Analysis of Politicians Press Releases — A Model for Court Transcipt Analysis?

Simplification — NYT Article on Suggested Process

Posted on April 6, 2011 by richardzorza

Simple article in NYT on how to make processes easier.  While aimed at the private sector, the lessons may be helpful to those trying to make forms simpler, and the processes of courts simpler to navigate. The simple solution for … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Forms, Systematic Change | Comments Off on Simplification — NYT Article on Suggested Process

We Are Visitors in Litigants’ Lives — More on Medical Analagies

Posted on April 5, 2011 by richardzorza

I have to share an extract from Dr. Bach’s final NYT article about his wife’s cancer.  His reflections about how the experience of him and his wife, Ruth, with their cancer has changed his own behavior should challenge all of … Continue reading →

Posted in Libraries, Medical System Comparision, Self-Help Services | Comments Off on We Are Visitors in Litigants’ Lives — More on Medical Analagies

NewsMaker Interview: CJ Lippman on New York Foreclosure Settlement Representation Project

Posted on April 4, 2011 by richardzorza

This blog is proud to present our second NewsMaker Interview, which is with Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman of New York.  It focuses on the recently announced Foreclosure Settlement Representation Project.  C.J. Lippman has long been a national leader in access … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Budget Issues, Foreclosure, Legal Aid, Newsmaker Interview, Pro Bono, Self-Help Services | Tagged , | Comments Off on NewsMaker Interview: CJ Lippman on New York Foreclosure Settlement Representation Project

Questions about the Model Code of Judicial Conduct and the Self-Represented

Posted on April 3, 2011 by richardzorza

If the Supreme Court, in its upcoming decision in Turner v. Rogers, addresses the issue highlighted by the Solicitor General’s Brief, and discussed significantly at oral argument —  whether due process requires in some cases affirmative steps by judges such … Continue reading →

Posted in Judicial Ethics, Supreme Court | Tagged | 1 Comment

Wordle Tool and More

Posted on April 2, 2011 by richardzorza

We have all seen those maps of words — indeed this blog uses one to display tags used in this blog. I have now found the free tool you can use to create your own.  Here it is (Wordle). You … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Tools | 2 Comments