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 — judges, court administrators, court managers, technologists, and others — for three days of professional development, educational opportunities, and networking.

CTC 2011: Where the high-performing court prepares for the future will bring you:
education sessions with the ideas and the people that are shaping high-performing courts nationwide;
a cutting-edge exhibit floor showcasing the latest technology;
unsurpassed networking opportunities with court professionals from around the country and around the world.

CTC 2011 takes place October 4-6, 2011, at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center in Long Beach, California.

David Pogue will be speaking.

Registration Link

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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 10.  The day before, there is a pre-conference which may be of interest, but is more focused on California law.

From the online announcement. 

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 director.  Here is the PBS link for the film.  It’s now 50 years those events, and the America in the film is hard to imagine.

It yet another reminder about how even in times of moral clarity only a few do the right thing – and of what an impact those few can have for the rest of us.

One of the best moments:  Robert Kennedy saying that in the near future there could be a black President (he may have said Negro).  Most disconcerting moment:  Robert Kennedy questioning the decision of the Freedom Riders to keep going.  Indeed even the liberal political establishment was deeply ambivalent, as apparently, was Martin Luther King.

Most disturbing for me  for the future:  a black woman at the Archives said last night that for 40 years she had suppressed the psychological trauma she had suffered as a result of her participation in the Movement, and that it was only in the last few years that she had been able to explore it.

We must, as a society do more for those who risked all for us all (regardless of our race).  Not just clapping occasionally.

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 project does not create a right to counsel, rather it establishes pilot projects in the expansion of the provision of counsel, with possible implications for future creation of a right.  (Actual text [page 15]: “Legal counsel shall be appointed to represent low-income parties in civil matters involving critical issues affecting basic human needs in those specified courts selected by the Judicial Council as provided in this section.”)  This is one to watch.

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, by changing the rules governing funding to exclude cases in which the applicant for funding did not have a direct interest in the outcome.  Ultimately it blocks changes to legal aid funding rules.  Here is the beginning of the story from the decision:

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 taking back homes.”    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 for access to law and government.  It was conducted by The University of Washington Information School, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 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, noon EDT, described here.

This is obviously an important project, and SCLAID is to be congratulated for the inclusiveness of its process, and comprehensiveness of its product.  I must add, however notwithstanding my great agreement with the goals and general approach, that I am a bit overwhelmed by the massiveness of the changes this would all imply — and their cost.  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 ABA Model Code. 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 self-help clinic on site at a court of appeal. This successful program, now three years old, is a unique collaboration between pro bono public interest firm Public Counsel, the California Court of Appeal (Second Appellate District), and the Appellate Courts Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. It is the first formal drop-in clinic for pro se appellate litigants housed in any state or federal court, and to our knowledge, no other public interest or legal aid organization in the country currently provides general in-person, self-help technical assistance to indigent pro se individuals involved in civil appeals. In tandem with managing the self-help clinic, which is staffed three days a week by an experienced appellate attorney, the Public Counsel Appellate Law Program also identifies and evaluates cases for pro bono representation and works with the Appellate Courts Committee to refer appropriate cases to pro bono counsel.

Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally | Comments Off on Self-Represented Appeals — Article on Los Angeles Program

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 as Food Stamps), TANF, Child Care Assistance, Medicaid, and CHIP.  The pdf version is here.

Bottom line, from the Report’s first paragraph:

Virtually all states have made basic program information on the five main state-administered low-income benefit programs — SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps), Medicaid, CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), and child care assistance — available to the public via the Internet.  Many, however, go much further, providing information such as application forms and data on the number of participants.  A number of states allow individuals to apply for benefits and transact certain related business online. 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 puts is place requirements of certification by the foreclosing attorney that the homeowner has been given an opportunity to participate in loss mitigation programs, including loan modification programs.  The requirements are detailed 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 valuable tool to spread the unbundling concept throughout the bar.  Lets hope that increased attorney interest will also lead to greater promotion of the concept to potential clients by lawyer referral services. 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 legal properties to leverage the assets in each acquisition as its tries to compete with the likes of Findlaw and Lawyers.com. It will also be interesting to see whether the quality of Nolo’s self help legal content deteriorates under the management of an advertising company that measures results in impressions, clicks, and unique visitors. If Jake Warner, the present CEO stays involved, I am sure the quality of Nolo’s products will remain “top of class.”

The contrast between the Internet Brands site, and that of Nolo, looks a bit worrying.

Here is the Publisher’s Weekly story, with a different perspective from the Nolo co-founder.

Warner said he and co-founder (and wife) Toni Ihara chose to sell to IB because they felt it would be best for its 108 employees. So far all Nolo employees have kept their jobs and CEO Bob Dubow will work through the transition period. According to Warner, IB will keep Nolo in Berkeley and is planning to move the small legal websites it has there. Nolo’s operations will be combined with those of ExpertHub (www.experthub.com), Internet Brands’ existing legal-focused division, with domains including Nolo.com, LawFirms.com and CriminalDefenseLawyer.com.

“One of the reasons we loved Internet Brands is that they totally get the value of top notch content,” said Warner. Producing high quality, accessible and affordable legal content has been Nolo’s mission since it was founded four decades ago this month. “Nolo needed to be part of a bigger enterprise going forward,” he added.

Although Nolo’s online business has grown rapidly, its print operations will continue under IB. In a blog post welcoming Nolo into the company, Internet Brands CEO Bob Brisco called Nolo “the leading legal publisher for consumers—both in print and online.” Brisco’s laid out IB’s three-pronged plans for its latest acquisition: “1. Expand Nolo’s lead as the best consumer legal publisher in all formats (print, -ebooks, web, mobile] 2. Invest strongly in the digital parts of the business 3. Capture synergies with our existing online businesses.” Steve Lombardi, general manager of ExpertHub will head Nolo going forward.

My view is that Nolo’s books are critical to providing access to justice.  One court-based law librarian told me that in some libraries the Nolo books were the only self-help resources.  While there are obviously many online resources, including the national LSC-initiated websites network, (see www.lawhelp.org for access to the full network,) Nolo remains critical.

The access to justice community will need to keep a close eye on this, and if gaps develop, find ways to fill them.

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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 search for an choose lawyers.  I blogged earlier about the poll itself.  The full report on the poll is here.

Richard Zorza:  I was very impressed by your recent poll with Harris Interactive on the public’s approaches to finding lawyers.  Lets start with the part of the poll that dealt with the way people find lawyers.  What struck you most about those findings?

Rich Cassidy:  I am struck by the fact that online sources have not become even more important as the way in which people find lawyers. Of course, it makes sense that people would turn to trusted sources for help in finding a lawyer. My own experience tells me that when people hire lawyers, trust is a critical issue. Our clients share important confidences with us, and they entrust us with problems that are extraordinarily important to them. It makes sense that the best referral sources are indeed people who already carry the trust of our potential clients. Continue reading →

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