Category Archives: Access to Justice Generally

How ADR May Promote Stability in Weakly Governed States

Posted on July 15, 2013 by richardzorza

This paper abstract by Christopher Blattman, Alexandra Hartman and Robert Blair, raises some interesting possibilities, as well as being methodologically suggestive. Dispute resolution institutions help reach agreements and preserve the peace whenever property rights are imperfect. In weak states, strengthening … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Systematic Change | Comments Off on How ADR May Promote Stability in Weakly Governed States

Disconcerting Blog Post on Bar Reactions to Recent Canadian Study of the Self-Represented

Posted on July 4, 2013 by richardzorza

Dr. Julie MacFarlane, who recently completed a study of the experiences of the self-represented in the Canadian courts, has posted a fascinating blog on the reactions from the legal profession to the study.  It is uncomfortable, but important, reading. Efforts … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, International Models, Systematic Change | 2 Comments

Implications for the Access to Justice Coalition of Large Firm Trends

Posted on June 26, 2013 by richardzorza

There is an excellent and deeply provocative op-ed in today’s New York Times about the recent compensation and staffing trends in large firms.  The op-ed points out that the recent terminations and partner compensation changes at Weil, Gotshal & Manges … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | 2 Comments

Australia Starts Study “Productivity” Study on ATJ Generally

Posted on June 24, 2013 by richardzorza

Today seems to be a day for hearing about new angles on access to justice.  Steve Grumm at the ABA has just tipped me off to the fascinating news that the Australian government has asked its productivity Commission “to undertake … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, International Models, Systematic Change | 1 Comment

Professor in Nederlands On Strategies for Access Change

Posted on June 17, 2013 by richardzorza

I am just back from the International Legal Aid Group meeting in the Nederlands.  While I plan to share several ideas from the meeting, I want to start with some overall strategic thoughts from Prof. Maurits Barendrecht of HiiL/Tilburg University. … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Funding, Legal Aid, Simplification, Systematic Change | 2 Comments

The Access to Justice Vision Was Articulated Almost 50 Years Ago By Attorneys General Kennedy and Katzenbach.

Posted on May 28, 2013 by richardzorza

As we celebrate that we have an Access to Justice Initiative at DOJ, we should remember that almost 50 years ago the access vision was articulated by two US Attorneys General – and that it was a comprehensive vision remarkably … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Dept. of Justice | 6 Comments

Guest Blogger Magistrate Simon Mole on How Colorado’s Early Experiments with Proactive Case Processing are Fascinating from an ATJ Perspective

Posted on May 14, 2013 by richardzorza

John Greacen and Pamela Gagel have reported here on using court-convened initial status conferences for managing domestic relations cases. The status conferences enabled triage and the shepherding of pro se litigants via differential case management.  Greacen and Gagel give subtle … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Court Management, Guest Bloggers | 1 Comment

Towards a New Accss-Friendly Rules Project

Posted on May 9, 2013 by richardzorza

Here is a potentially transformative idea that I raised at the recent Symposium at Harvard Law School on Civil Gideon. Maybe it is time to rethink the Federal Rules Project. Back when the Federal Rules were first being put in … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Court Management, Simplification | 1 Comment

Briefing Paper on Natural Alliance Between Legal Aid and Philanthropy

Posted on May 7, 2013 by richardzorza

The Public Welfare Foundation and the Kresge Foundation have released an excellent and useful briefing paper on the relationship between legal aid and philanthropy. The core argument is simple: Ultimately, civil legal aid is a powerful tool that can increase … Continue reading →

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Thoughts from the Canadian Envisioning Equal Justice Summit — Parallel Paths to Innovation and Access

Posted on April 30, 2013 by richardzorza

I am just back from Vancouver and the Canadian Bar Association Envisioning Equal Justice Summit.  My main conclusion is that the Canadians and the US are now on very similar and potentially supportive paths. The Summit was brought together to … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, International Cooperation, Simplification, Technology, Triage | Tagged | 2 Comments

What a Day at the White House!

Posted on April 17, 2013 by richardzorza

Yesterday, Tuesday, was a White House Forum on Increasing Access to Justice in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.  LSC and the White House were the co-hosts.  Some of the highlights for me — all showing what a different time this … Continue reading →

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

Access to Justice in Rural Areas — an Opportunity?

Posted on April 12, 2013 by richardzorza

The New York Times has a fascinating article on how South Dakota is offering a subsidy to lawyers to serve rural areas. The new law, which will go into effect in June, requires a five-year commitment from the applicant and … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | Comments Off on Access to Justice in Rural Areas — an Opportunity?

Transitions

Posted on March 21, 2013 by richardzorza

This seems to be a time of transitions in the access to justice world.  I’d like to take the opportunity to note the very significant contributions of those that I know about. Allison McDermott is leaving Pro Bono Net after … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | Comments Off on Transitions

Memories of a Mentor, and Honoring a Prosecutor

Posted on March 18, 2013 by richardzorza

On the 50th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainright, I keep thinking about one of my mentors, Brownlow (Browny) Speer, who died a few weeks ago. Browny was Chief Appellate Attorney of first the Massachusetts Defenders Committee, and then its successor, … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Criminal Law, Legal Ethics, Public Defender, Vocation | Comments Off on Memories of a Mentor, and Honoring a Prosecutor

Thoughts After the Gideon Fifty Year Anniversay Gathering at DOJ

Posted on March 16, 2013 by richardzorza

I was privileged to be invited to be at the gathering yesterday at the Dept of Justice to mark the 50th anniversay of Gideon v. Wainright.  The gathering was organized by the Access to Justice Initiative of DOJ.  Among those … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Criminal Law, Defender Programs, Dept. of Justice, Supreme Court | Comments Off on Thoughts After the Gideon Fifty Year Anniversay Gathering at DOJ