Category Archives: Access to Justice Generally

New York Times Editorializes in Support of Court Navigators

Posted on February 27, 2014 by richardzorza

Hopefully today’s editorial will help spread the word nationally about the court navigators and other innovations proposed by CJ Lippman. New York State’s chief judge, Jonathan Lippman, is making some innovative changes to the education and training of lawyers as … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Judicial Ethics, Law Schools | Comments Off on New York Times Editorializes in Support of Court Navigators

A Big Day — The Justice Index is Launched

Posted on February 26, 2014 by richardzorza

The Justice Index, the pioneering state by state index of access to justice measures, developed by a partnership led by the National Center for Access to Justice at Cardozo Law School, is up, and its very well worth the wait. … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Legal Aid, LEP, Research and Evalation, Self-Help Services | 4 Comments

One From the ABA

Posted on February 25, 2014 by richardzorza

An important developments from the ABA Legal Services Delivery Committee, which is really the only group there that focuses on middle income access. Reinventing the Practice of Law: Emerging Models to Enhance Affordable Legal Services, edited by the wonderful Luz … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Books, Incubators, Middle Income, Mixed Model, Unbundling | Comments Off on One From the ABA

What Are the Implications of George Soros Endorsing Access To Justice As An International Development Goal

Posted on February 5, 2014 by richardzorza

George Soros blogged yesterday about his belief that access to justice should be one of the key measurable goals in the United Nations approach to eradicating poverty by 2030. He writes: What does that mean? It means that anyone should … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Funding, International Cooperation, International Models | Comments Off on What Are the Implications of George Soros Endorsing Access To Justice As An International Development Goal

Maybe It Means Something That the Word “Access” Was Used Six Times in the State of The Union

Posted on January 28, 2014 by richardzorza

That’s right, while the President mentioned “justice” only once in the State of the Union Address (“. . . to promote justice, and fairness, and equality under the law, so that the words set to paper by our founders are … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Communications Strategy | 3 Comments

E-Filling Best Practices Document Available — Please Help with the Evaluation

Posted on January 8, 2014 by richardzorza

Central Minnesota Legal Services has now formally announced the completion of the Principles and Best Practices For Access-Friendly Court Electronic Filing.  As the Press Release says: Central Minnesota Legal Services (CMLS), Pro Bono Net and Legal Services Corporation (LSC) recently released … Continue reading →

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The Story of “Call for Justice” — Leveraging Online Legal Information, the 211 System and Beyond

Posted on December 15, 2013 by richardzorza

A few months ago, I was particularly excited to hear about a Minnesota initiative that leveraged the power of 211 systems with the legal help resources developed by that state’s access community to achieve a huge increase in usage of … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Self-Help Services, Systematic Change, Technology | 2 Comments

Very Important Communications Research Released

Posted on November 21, 2013 by richardzorza

This is one of the most important posts I have ever written.  I am honored to be authorized to post the communications research conducted by Lake Research Partners and the Torrance Group on civil legal aid and access to justice … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Counsel, Access to Justice Generally, Forms, Funding, Legal Aid, LSC, Self-Help Services, Simplification, Systematic Change | Tagged | 15 Comments

More On Impact of DC Events on Judicial Deference to Congress

Posted on October 13, 2013 by richardzorza

Professor Tribe has pointed out to me, in response to my recent blog post about the possible impact of DC happenings on judicial deference to Congress, that: “. . . deference to Congress isn’t either good or bad in itself, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Budget Issues, Federal Courts, Supreme Court | Comments Off on More On Impact of DC Events on Judicial Deference to Congress

Will DC Events Impact Judicial Deference to Congress

Posted on October 13, 2013 by richardzorza

There is an interesting article in Politico today about how anger at Congress is increasing in the Federal Judiciary.  The article focuses mainly on how upset the courts are at the financial impact of sequestration and the shutdown on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Budget Issues, Federal Courts | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Guest Post From World Bank’s Paul Prettitore on Legal Aid in Jordan

Posted on October 10, 2013 by richardzorza

Here is a fascinating guest post from Paul Prettitore of the World Bank on knowlege of, and access to, legal aid in Jordan.  Readers will find many resonances, and also many differences.  I think we have a lot to learn … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, International Cooperation, International Models, Legal Aid | 1 Comment

Fordham Law Shool Plans Broad Access Symposium Nov 1 in NYC

Posted on September 19, 2013 by richardzorza

Fordham Law School plans a broad Symposium on Access to Justice, on Nov 1 at their campus near Lincoln Center in Manhattan. While I find the formal title “Until Civil Gideon” a little confusing, the overall agenda gives a feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Meetings | 1 Comment

Wallace Jefferson to Retire As Texas Chief

Posted on September 3, 2013 by richardzorza

As reported by the Dallas News – Business, Texas Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson plans to retire effective October 1. As the website puts it: But . . . legal insiders say Jefferson’s resignation is a significant blow to those who … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 1 Comment

NCSC Issues Call To Action on Language Access

Posted on September 3, 2013 by richardzorza

Following its Language Access Summit last year, NCSC has issued its Call to Action on the issue. The Action Steps identified are: Step 1: Identifying the Need for Language Assistance Step 2: Establishing and Maintaining Oversight Step 3: Implementing Monitoring … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 1 Comment

Hitler’s Children is a Magnificent Film About Getting Beyond Your Backgroud

Posted on July 17, 2013 by richardzorza

I have been telling everyone about this wonderful film, Hitler’s Children.  It is on Netflicks streaming. An Israeli filmmaker has tracked down descendants of some of the worst war criminals, such as Himmler, Goering, Frank (a Nazi lawyer (yes!) who … Continue reading →

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