Access to Justice News Archive:

Maine Justice Action Group, led by Supreme Court Justice Jon D. Levy, moves forward with implementation of recommendations from long-term planning process(7/16/08)

Civil Right to Counsel Leadership and Support Initiative launches new web site at www.civilrighttocounsel.org.(7/7/08)

Incoming Tennessee Bar Association President Buck Lewis launches 4 All campaign to build access to justice.(7/1/08)

Access to Justice: Is Civil Gideon a Piece of the Puzzle? Article in ABA Bar Leader. (7/1/08)

Texas State Bar and Access to Justice Foundation fully funds Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program, created by Access to Justice Commission, providing benefits to all 88 eligible applicants. (7/1/08)

Wisconsin State Bar Board of Governors, with strong support from outgoing President Tom Basting and incoming President Diane Diel, unanimously approves petition to Supreme Court to create state Access to Justice Commission (6/27/08).

North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission issues initial report on barriers to justice and recommendations to overcome them.(6/24/08)

Hawaii Supreme Court adopts IOLTA comparability rule; Hawaii becomes 20th state with comparability requirement. (6/16/08)

Bar foundations investing in justice: How bar foundations can help stop a legal aid crisis. Article in May-June ABA Bar Leader magazine by Chicago Bar Foundation Executive Director Bob Glaves calls for leadership in increasing legal aid salaries. (6/15/08)

Nevada Supreme Court adopts emeritus rule allowing attorneys in inactive status to practice pro bono. (6/9/08)

California Justice Earl Johnson, Jr., (ret.) delivers keynote address at Pathways to Justice Conference on Three Phases of Justice for the Poor: From Charity to Discretion to Right.(6/7/08)

California courts create Judicial Council Task Force, chaired by Appeals Court Justice Laurie Zelon, charged with proposing new family law rules to facilitate proceedings for self-represented litigants. (5/30/08).

New Mexico Supreme Court amends court rules on appearances to facilitate limited scope representation. (5/26/08)

Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearing on Closing the Justice Gap: Providing Civil Legal Assistance to Low-Income Americans. (5/22/08)

Court Solutions Conference, to be held September 8-10 in Baltimore, to launch leadership and educational package on self-represented litigants, customizable for training by state. The Conference is open to the ATJ community. (5/20/08)

New Hampshire Chief Justice John Broderick, Jr., gives plenary address at 2008 National Meeting of State Access to Justice Chairs in Minneapolis, attended by over 120 bench and bar leaders from 40 states and DC. (5/9/08)

Washington State Bar News devotes special issue to Access to Justice. (5/1/08)

Texas Access to Justice Commission updates List of Accomplishments (5/1/08)

Consumer Federation of America 2008 Policy Resolutions support increased funding for civil legal aid, self-help centers, IOLTA comparability. (5/1/08)

Hawaii Supreme Court creates Access to Justice Commission, to be chaired by Associate Justice Simeon Acoba. Story (5/1/08)

Colorado Supreme Court honors attorneys and firms for pro bono commitment; number achieving goal doubled in 2007. Press release. (4/28/08)

MIE Journal devotes Special Feature to ATJ Commissions and Initiatives (4/28/08)

New Mexico Access to Justice Commission files annual report to Supreme Court, reporting on progress on implementation of local pro bono committees, pro se initiatives, and plan for delivery of legal services. (4/21/08)

Mississippi ATJ Commission conducts first hearing on barriers to justice, hosted by U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor. Press Release and Listening panel and witnesses.(4/18/08)

ATJ delegations among lawyers lobbying Congress in support of legal services on ABA Day. National Conference of Bar Presidents sends letter to appropriators to increase LSC funding by $50 million. (4/16/08)

Joint resolution of state Supreme Court, U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, and Idaho State Bar creates Idaho Pro Bono Commission (4/14/08)

Colorado Access to Justice Commission issues report and recommendations based on hearings held around the state to assess civil legal needs. (4/1/08)

California ATJ Commission Task Force drafts Model Civil Right to Counsel Statute (3/15/08)

California Courts promulgate Guidelines for the Operation of Self-Help Centers (3/17/08)

Ohio State Bar Association forms task force to establish statewide network of locally based pro bono committees, one in each judicial appellate district. (3/15/08)

New Mexico Supreme Court adopts new pro bono rule, including mandatory reporting requirement.(3/15/08)

Access to Justice and legal aid funding top issues for Pennsylvania Lawyers taking their case to Capitol Hill (5/5/08)

California Access to Justice Commission to celebrate its 10th anniversary with symposium on The Future of Access to Justice in California: Developing a Vision for the Next Decade (msword, 34 Kb) . (4/23/08)

South Carolina Access to Justice Commission launches series of local hearings on barriers to justice. (3/13/08)

North Carolina Bar Association continues year-long 4All campaign, under leadership of President Janet Ward Black, with "Ask A Lawyer" day. (4/4/08)

North Carolina Bar Journal highlights Access to Justice. (3/15/08)

New York State Bar Association convenes conference on Creating a Blueprint for a Civil Right to Counsel in New York. (3/11/08)

New Hampshire Access to Justice Commissions launches new web site. The site serves as home page for the Commission and provides links to legal aid programs, a self-help center, and information about the state courts. (3/1/08)

Pro Bono Institute offers grants for Second Acts pilot projects, supporting retired attorneys working in public interest organizations serving low-income communities. (3/1/08)

ABA President William H. Neukom calls for ABA members to lobby Congress for increased federal legal aid funding in President's Message in February ABA Journal. (2/1/08)

Poverty Benchmarks 2008: Assessing New Jersey’s Progress in Addressing Problems of Inadequate Income documents key poverty trends and examines selected anti-poverty programs. (2/15/08)

National Technology Assistance Project (NTAP) offers Practical Steps to Protecting Your Legal Aid Organization from Cyber Piracy, to help legal aid programs protect identities from misuse by fraudulent legal aid organizations. (2/15/08)

Louisiana State Bar Association House of Delegates adopts resolution supporting programs, rules and policies assisting self-represented litigants. Article. (1/17/08)

Chicago Bar Foundation creates leadership circle of law firms subscribing to statement of principles (msword, 52 Kb) for supporting pro bono and legal aid. (2/1/08)

Maine State Bar Association Annual Meeting features half-day Access to Justice Symposium, led by state Supreme Court Justice Jon D. Levy, newly elected chair of the Maine Justice Action Group. Former Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice Herbert Wilkins, Chair of the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission, delivers keynote address. (1/31/07)

Arizona report, Voicing a Need for Justice, a Report on Legal Aid Access, documents justice gap and lack of awareness of legal assistance and makes recommendations to address problems. (2/1/08)

State Bar of Texas awards prizes in YouTube video contest, Lone Star Stories: Texans on Justice. (1/25/08)

South Carolina State Bar Convention features Texas Supreme Court Justice Harriet O’Neill as keynote speaker on Access to Justice issues. (1/25/08)

By order of the state Supreme Court, Louisiana has become the 18th state to adopt an IOLTA comparability rule. (1/15/08)

Montana Self-Help Law Program (msword, 15 Kb) up and running with new staff and two courthouse self-help centers open for business. (1/5/08)

Technology Committee of Texas Access to Justice Commission (msword, 29 Kb) , made up of chief information officers of leading law firms, working pro bono, assesses technology needs and develops plan for legal aid offices; Texas Access to Justice Foundation purchases equipment for programs. (12/19/07)

Missouri becomes second state to adopt disaster court rule, allowing out-of-state lawyers to practice on a pro basis following a disaster, based on ABA model rule. (12/17/08)

South Carolina Access to Justice Commission (pdf, 303 Kb) , chaired by Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal, schedules series of eight hearings around the state, to culminate in hearing before state Supreme Court. (12/15/07)

"And Then There Were Five" (pdf, 232 Kb) : Wisconsin Lawyer article by Wisconsin State Bar Executive Director George C. Brown describes how Wisconsin joined the ranks of states that provide state legislative funding for legal aid. (Only five states currently do not). (12/15/07)

New York courts convene "A Conversation About Justice Issues in Rural New York: Planting the Seeds for Collaborations and Partnerships." (12/1/07)

Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia extends indefinitely term of District of Columbia Access to Justice Commission (pdf, 143 Kb) . The Commission was originally created by the Court in February 2005 for an initial three-year term. (10/9/07)

New in the Resource Center library: materials on the economic benefit of legal aid. (12/1/07)

Washington State Supreme Court rules against civil right to counsel in closely watched King v. King case. ABA Journal article with links to opinions. (12/6/07)

Maryland joins states with IOLTA enhancement provisions as Court of Appeals adopts comparability rule. Article. (12/3/07)

Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates adopts resolutions supporting civil right to counsel, increase in funding for civil legal aid. (11/30/07)

Senior Citizen Right to Counsel bill (pdf, 97 Kb) filed in New York City Council. New York Times article. (11/16/07)

New Hampshire Access to Justice Commission profiled. (11/25/07.

Local hearings convened by Colorado Access to Justice Commission conclude with hearing in Denver at Supreme Court. Summary of hearings (pdf, 16 Kb) . Audiotape of Denver hearing. (11/14/07)

Alabama Supreme Court increases pro hac vice fee for practice by out of state lawyers to $300 to benefit legal aid. (11/8/07)

New report, Achieving Access to Justice (pdf, 1 Mb) , finds 80 percent of poor and moderate income residents unable to obtain legal help when they need it. The report come from the Access to Justice Hui, members of which include the Judiciary, the State Bar Association, the Justice Foundation, legal aid providers, and the University of Hawaii, and includes a 10-step plan to increase access to justice. (11/7/07)

Rationing Justice: Poverty Lawyers and Poor People in the Deep South, by Kris Shepard, documents the history of legal services programs in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia in the 1960s and 70s. (11/1/07)

ABA Section of Litigation Justice Assistance Fund grants of up to $10,000 available to help legal services programs build private bar fundraising capacity. Application form. (12/10/07)

NLADA issues report addressing legal aid recruitment and retention crisis. (11/7/07)

Hawaii Supreme Court adopts mandatory pro bono reporting rule. Chief Justice Ronald Moon remarks on new rule and access to justice. (10/10/07)

Hawaii Supreme Court adopts pro bono publicus rule, waiving fees and dues for attorneys practicing exclusively in a pro bono capacity. (10/17/07)

What would you do with a million dollars? How to seek cy pres awards (pdf, 2 Mb) article by Bob Glaves, Chicago Bar Foundation, from ABA Bar Leader magazine. (10/1/07)

Maryland Judiciary Work Group on Self-Representation issues report Clearing a Path to Justice (pdf, 293 Kb) , calling for efforts to expand access to courts for pro se litigants and creation of Access to Justice Commission. (10/17/07)

Maine Justice Action Group issues Justice for All: Statewide Access to Justice Planning Initiative (pdf, 442 Kb) , identifying priority strategies. Executive Summary. (msword, 67 Kb) (10/17/07)

Mississippi Supreme Court amends rules to create Pro Bono Publicus Attorney status, allowing pro bono practice by inactive and out-of-state attorneys. Order and amended rule. (pdf, 71 Kb) (10/15/07)

California Gov. Schwarzenegger signs new law requiring IOLTA comparable rates. Alabama Supreme Court adopts mandatory IOLTA rule (pdf, 372 Kb) , with comparability provision already in place. (10/12/07)

Colorado Access to Justice Commission launches series of Access to Justice hearings (pdf, 16 Kb) around the state, to culminate in Denver on November 14. (10/17/07)

North Carolina Summit on Civil Justice, sponsored by North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Sarah Parker, and North Carolina Bar Association, led by President Janet Ward Black, draws state Supreme Court justices, judges, legislators, bar leaders, and other stakeholders. College of William & Mary President Gene Nichol delivers key note address. (10/12/07)

Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission issues report on Barriers to Access to Justice in Massachusetts (msword, 110 Kb) , with recommendations to Supreme Judicial Court, based on hearings conducted around the state. Press Release (msword, 26 Kb) (10/16/07)

New at SelfHelpSupport.org: "Increasing Access to Justice for Self Represented Litigants through Web Technologies." (10/19/07)

New South Carolina Access to Justice Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal, meets for the first time on September 27, with Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Jess Dickinson as guest speaker. Roster of Commission members (msword, 38 Kb)

Collaborative effort among 13 large Mississippi firms produces manual for pro bono attorneys in major case types. Article . (10/1/07)

Another winning year for state legislative funding: to date, state advocates report over $18 million in increases for civil legal aid. State by state report, updated September 1. (msword, 246 Kb) (9/1//07)

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signs cy pres legislation distributing class action residuals to civil legal aid providers. Fact sheet (msword, 26 Kb) . Legislation (pdf, 25 Kb) . (8/31/07)

New Mexico Supreme Court issues order (pdf, 103 Kb) adopting recommendations of Access to Justice Commission concerning self-represented litigants, statewide delivery of legal services, and other issues. Commission Report with Appendices. (pdf, 5 Mb) Self-Represented Litigant Report only. (msword, 271 Kb) ( (8/27/07)

North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission, led by Chief Justice Sarah Parker, to convene Summit on Civil Access to Justice on October 12. (8/30/07)

Mississippi Supreme Court orders Access to Justice Commission to hold hearings in each Congressional district in early 2008. Press release. (pdf, 7 Kb) (8/22/07).

Nebraska State Bar Association and Legal Aid of Nebraska, supported by Nebraska Supreme Court, open pilot self-help center, staffed by volunteer lawyers. News story. (8/7/07)

Missouri Supreme Court adopts new mandatory IOLTA and comparable rate rule (msword, 46 Kb) . New York’s IOLA comparability rule becomes final. In Georgia, Wachovia voluntarily raises IOLTA rates, followed by some 20 other banks. (8/15/07)

Boston Bar Association creates Task Force to Study Civil Right to Counsel. Press release (msword, 25 Kb) . Access to Justice in Civil Cases: A RIght Whose TIme Has Come (pdf, 55 Kb) , interview with Boston Bar Association President Anthony Doniger. (8/1/07)

In address to Alabama State Bar Association, Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb calls for increased access to civil justice. News story. 7/24/07)

What Is Cy Pres? Brochure provides guidance to Tennessee courts and attorneys about making awards to legislatively-created fund to benefit civil legal aid. (7/31/07)

Mississippi Supreme Court Distributes $250,000 to Legal Aid Programs (pdf, 8 Kb) from pro hac vice fees and $5 filing fee surcharge. (7/31/07)

In his State of the Judiciary address at the New Mexico Annual State bar Convention, Chief Justice Edward Chavez unveils Access to Justice Commission video urging attorneys to contribute to Equal Access to Justice Campaign and provide pro bono services. (7/31/07).

Nebraska State Needs Assessment (pdf, 1 Mb) documents unmet legal needs of low-income Nebraskans. (7/11/07)

Iowa Legal Aid receives $1 million cy pres award from Microsoft as part of settlement of consumer lawsuit. News story .( 6/30/07)

Pennsylvania Supreme Court adopts new pro hac vice fee for out of state lawyers, benefiting legal aid. Press release (msword, 23 Kb) . 6/29/07).

Georgia Committee on Civil Justice issues request for proposal (pdf, 312 Kb) for state legal needs survey. (6/29/07)

Texas Governor signs legislation eliminating sunset provision on $65 mandatory Access to Justice fee for all attorneys, due to expire in 2007. The fee has generated approximately $1.9 million each for civil legal aid and innovative defender projects. (6/11/07).

Supreme Courts of Alaska and Colorado adopt pro bono emeritus rules; North Carolina General Assembly enacts emeritus legislation on behalf of the North Carolina State Bar. Alaska rule ; Colorado Rule (pdf, 55 Kb) ; North Carolina legislation . 6/30/07)

GeorgiaAdvocates.org adds web pages focusing on judicial support for pro bono, including a message from Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears. (6/30/07)

Supreme Court of Iowa is first to adopt Katrina Court Rule based on new model ABA rule. (5/14/07)

Texas adopts judicial review for Medicaid and Food Stamps decisions, after strong advocacy from Access to Justice Commission. (6/19/07)

North Carolina Bar Association President Janet Ward Black launches 4All campaign to expand support for legal aid by targeting four goals: "Educate, Legislate, Donate, and Participate." (6/23/07)

New York Times calls for Closing the Justice Gap (pdf, 59 Kb) in editorial supporting IOLTA "comparability" rule. (6/26/07)

American Constitution Society Research Link project solicits research topics from state Access to Justice leaders for law students to explore for academic credit in faculty-supervised writing projects. ACS will post the resulting student papers in a searchable online library.

Maryland State Bar Association, Section on Delivery of Legal Services, receives report and recommendations (pdf, 479 Kb) on potential of judicare model to meet currently unmet needs. (6/1/07).

Texas Access to Justice Commission and Texas Access to Justice Foundation produce Corporate Effort video showcasing corporate pro bono work. (6/1/07)

Georgia Committee on Civil Justice launches strategic planning process with grant from State Justice Institute and consultation from National Center for State Courts. Grant application. (pdf, 1 Mb) (6/1/07).

Massachusetts Bar Association House of Delegates unanimously supports principle of civil right to counsel. Article. (5/23/07)

News from the Self Represented Litigation Network (msword, 28 Kb) : New working group on distance services to the self-represented; training for court administrators; Conference on Judicial Education and Self-Represented Litigants; and more. (5/24/07)

Wisconsin Bar Board of Governors adopts all recommendations made by Access to Justice Study Committee. Wisconsin Law Journal article. Wisconsin Lawyer article on study and recommendations. (5/14/07)

New Mexico Access to Justice Commission submits annual report to state Supreme Court. Topics covered include implementation of local pro bono committees; report and recommendations on self-represented litigants; updated state plan on delivery of legal services. Report with Appendices. (pdf, 5 Mb) Self-Represented Litigant Report only. (msword, 271 Kb) (5/1/07)

DC Access to Justice Commission releases Annual Report (pdf, 571 Kb) . Article in Washington Lawyer magazine highlights achievements of Commission: "Justice to All" (pdf, 719 Kb) . (4/24/07)

Legal Services Corporation Board adopts resolution calling upon its grantees to collaborate with state and local bar associations and others to increase pro bono and draw attention to unmet legal needs. Resolution. (msword, 44 Kb) (4/28/07)

California Access to Justice Commission releases Action Plan for Justice (pdf, 2 Mb) , designed to assist institutions with responsibilities for ensuring accessto a just and equitable judicial system for all in bridging the "justice gap." Summary version of Report. (pdf, 2 Mb) California Bar Journal article. (4/20/07)

Massachusetts Chief Justice Margaret Marshall and other members of Supreme Judicial Court participate in hearing convened by Access to Justice Commission. Program for Boston hearing (pdf, 6 Kb) . Update on statewide hearings (pdf, 17 Kb) . Speech by Chief Justice Marshall (msword, 33 Kb) (4/6/07)

2008 legislative season gets off to a good start with major funding increases in New Mexico, Washington State (msword, 34 Kb) and New York . DC City Council renews $3.2 million funding for civil legal aid, initiated last year, in its FY 2008 budget. DC ATJ Commission press release (msword, 28 Kb) (6/5/07)

Colorado Supreme Court promotes increased pro bono participation. article (4/6/07)

State top court approves Maryland Pro Bono Action Plan (pdf, 442 Kb) recommendations on pro bono delivery and judicial involvement. (4/10/07)

Article in ABA Dialogue magazine (Winter 2007) "Using the ABA Principles of State System for the Delivery of Civil Legal Aid" (pdf, 64 Kb) . Or see the longer version in the MIE Journal (Spring 2007) "Using the ABA Principles of a State System for the Delivery of Civil Legal Aid: Why Program Directors Should Care" (pdf, 308 Kb) . (4/3/07)

New at www.selfhelpsupport.org : Handling Cases Involving Self-Represented Litigants: A Benchguide for Judicial Officers (pdf, 2 Mb) , from the California Administrative Office of Courts. (1/31/07)

Texas Access to Justice Commission Newsletter (pdf, 299 Kb) to be mailed to all 79,000 active Texas attorneys three times per year. (1/31/07)

Wisconsin Bar releases Bridging the Gap: Wisconsin's Unmet Legal Needs (pdf, 505 Kb) , documenting unmet legal needs. Appendices (pdf, 592 Kb) with detailed data and methodology. Appendiix no. 8: Increasing Access to Restraining Orders for Low-Income Victims of Domestic Violence: A Cost-Benefit Analysis (pdf, 324 Kb) , study from University of Wisconsin La Follette School of Public Affairs. (3/7/07)

With leadership of new Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, state Supreme Court creates Access to Justice Commission. Supreme Court order (msword, 21 Kb) (2/15/07)

Chief Justices call for increased access to civil legal assistance in 2007 "State of the Judiciary" addresses. Among the Chief Justices who highlighted the civil "justice gap" this year were those of California, Georgia, New York, New Hampshire, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Washington. ((2/28/07).

ABA House of Delegates approves Model Court Rule on Provision of Legal Services Following Determination of Major Disaster (msword, 57 Kb) allowing out-of-state lawyers to provide pro bono legal services in an affected jurisdiction. (2/20/07)

Arkansas Access to Justice Commission presents DVD/video “Forging the Road to Civil Justice,” introduced by Supreme Court Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber. See the video online . (2/1/07)

Unanimous order of South Carolina Supreme Court creates new Access to Justice Commission. Order (msword, 32 Kb) . (1/31/07)

New Utah legal needs study released: The Justice Gap: The Unmet Legal Needs of Low-Income Utahns (pdf, 363 Kb) . (1/31/07)

New at www.selfhelpsupport.org : “Case for ….” documents , setting out the arguments in favor of five approaches to supporting self-represented litigants: self-help programs, courtroom support process programs, court-based forms and instruction programs, discrete task representation (“unbundling”), and judicial education. Prepared by the Self Representated Litigation Network. (1/25/07)

Updated edition of "Securing Equal Justice for All: A Brief History of Civil Legal Assistance in the United States," available for download or in hard copy from the Center for Law and Social Policy . (1/25/05)

Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission conducts hearings on barriers to justice around the state. Update (msword, 20 Kb) (1/21/07)

Minnesota (msword, 30 Kb) and Texas Supreme Courts amend IOLTA rules to require rate comparability. (12/18/06)

California Governor's proposed budget includes $5 million for pilot project to provide representation in evictions, custody disputes, and other civil cases where important rights are at stake, as called for by Chief Justice Ronald George. Article on Chief Justice's proposal (1/10/07)

Access to Justice Committee of Tennessee Bar Association launches Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative (pdf, 39 Kb) (1/19/07)

Colorado Access to Justice Commission reports on 2006 accomplishments (pdf, 51 Kb) (1/20/07)

New Hampshire Chief Justice John Broderick, Jr., calls for increased pro bono, article. (1/7/07)

"Unbundled" legal services seen as expanding access to justice in Maine and New Hampshire, article (1/1/07)

Equal Justice Works releases report on responding to the problem of law student debt, Financing the Future. (12/20/06)

Wisconsin to hold first state Equal Justice Conference in March 2007. (12/13/06).

New Mexico Bench-Bar Conference focuses on Access to Justice. Agenda (msword, 25 Kb) New Mexico Lawyer, special insert (pdf, 1 Mb) (11/7/06)

Nevada Supreme Court creates new Nevada Access to Justice Commission (pdf, 42 Kb) . (12/1/06)

Chicago Bar Foundation creates loan repayment program with $2 million cy pres award. Chicago Bar Foundation Sun Times Fellowship Program Agreement (msword, 31 Kb) . (12/1/06)

Maine Justice Action Group moves forward with long-term planning process for justice system. link to web site and documents (11/15/06)

Retired Boston attorneys providing pro bono services under emeritus rule (pdf, 59 Kb) . (11/19/06)

Illinois Coalition for Equal Justice and Chicago Bar Foundation issue report on recruiting and retaining legal aid attorneys. Press release (msword, 206 Kb) (11/16/06)

California ATJ Commission Task Force issues model rule on civil right to counsel ("Civil Gideon") (pdf, 92 Kb) . (11/03/06)

Best Practices in Court-Based Programs for the Self-Represented: Concepts, Attributes and Issues for Exploration (pdf, 264 Kb) , new report from Self-Represented Litigation Network. (12/1/06)

Massachusetts Judicial Institute issues Guidelines for Civil Hearings Involving Self-Represented Litigants (12/1/03)

New Jersey updates legal needs study (pdf, 28 Kb) . (10/20/06)

Washington State holds Equal Justice Open Houses around the state. press coverage. (10/11/06)

New E-Guide to Public Service at America's Law Schools can help state Access to Justice leaders build relationships with law schools in their state.

DC City Council votes $3.2 million for civil legal services, upon recommendation of DC Access to Justice Commission (msword, 26 Kb) (10/06/06)

"Trends in Self Represented Litigation Innovations," by Richard Zorza, new paper from National Center for State Courts. (10/20/06)

Massachusetts launches pilot project allowing pro se litigants access to attorneys on a limited representation basis. (pdf, 19 Kb) (10/1/06)

Conference of Delegates of California Bar Associations passes resolution calling for right to counsel in key civil matters, support offered by Chief Justice Ronald M. George (msword, 26 Kb) (10/07/06)

Mississippi Chief Justice opens first meeting of new Mississippi Access to Justice Commission. editorial. Supreme Court press release and order (pdf, 291 Kb) (9/15/06)

State funding for civil legal aid up in 16 states during current legislative season. Update from PERLS Project (pdf, 6 Kb) (9/20/06)

IOLTA comparability rules adopted in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Minnesota Supreme Court to decide on proposal endorsed by State Bar. IOLTA Update (pdf, 6 Kb) (9/20/06)

New data on public interest law salaries available. (9/01/06).

At Annual Meeting, August 7 in Honolulu, ABA House of Delegates adopts resolutions on Civil Right to Counsel (pdf, 18 Kb) , 10 Principles of a State Civil Legal Aid Delivery System (msword, 35 Kb) and <Document 1153942762.09 not found>. (8/15/06)

"Bridging the Gap," Article in Appellate Judges News by Vermont Supreme Court Justice Denise Johnson . (pdf, 609 Kb) 7/1/06) Illinois Supreme Court adopts mandatory pro bono reporting rule. Supreme Court press release (pdf, 10 Kb) Rule (pdf, 513 Kb) (6/14/06)

Wisconsin Bar Access to Justice Study Committee launches legal needs study (msword, 19 Kb)

Arkansas Access to Justice Commission continues series of Town Hall meetings around state on legal assistance. news report on Jonesboro meeting (msword, 22 Kb) , with U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber, Arkansas Bar Association President A. Glenn Vasser, and Judge Jim Spears. (5/30/06) news report on Fayetteville Meeting (msword, 25 Kb) (4/20/06)

Tennessee governor signs legislation creating Voluntary Fund for Indigent Civil Representation in the office of the state treasurer for legal aid programs to receive donations, class action residuals, grants. Legislation (pdf, 42 Kb) Fact Sheet (msword, 22 Kb) (5/16/06

Colorado Access to Justice Commission holds conference on Local Perspectives and Initiatives, featuring ABA President-Elect Karen Mathis and Texas ATJ leader Deborah Hankinson. Conference agenda (msword, 41 Kb) (5/20/06)

Washington State Access to Justice Board approves revised State Plan for the Delivery of Civil Legal Aid, including creation of new regional services areas. Revised State Plan (pdf, 601 Kb) (5/01/06)

Michigan Bar Journal devotes May issue to Access to Justice. Articles: "Justice Initiatives: The State Bar's Work Continues" (pdf, 153 Kb) "The Challenge of Resource Development" (pdf, 146 Kb) "The Bar and Pro Bono: Structure and Spontaneity" (pdf, 133 Kb) "Promoting Access to Justice in Public Policy" (pdf, 144 Kb) "Our Continuing Need to Increase Public Confidence in the Legal Profession" (pdf, 196 Kb) (5/1/06)

Mississippi Supreme Court orders change to mandatory IOLTA, effective January 1, 2007. Supreme Court Order and Rule (pdf, 74 Kb) (5/11/06)

Montana Supreme Court Equal Justice Task Force and Montana State Bar Access to Justice Committee issue report on 2005 study, “Legal Needs of Low Income Households in Montana.” Full Report (pdf, 1 Mb) Summary brochure (pdf, 423 Kb) (5/1/06)

Ohio Supreme Court Task Force on Pro Se and Indigent Defendants issues Report and Recommendations (pdf, 5 Mb) relating to indigent criminal defense, pro bono, pro se, limited representation and funding for both civil and criminal representation. (5/1/06)

New Mexico Supreme Court approves ATJ Commission Report, including 10-Point Pro Bono Plan Report (pdf, 1 Mb) (4/28/06) news story (msword, 38 Kb)

ABA Presidential Task Force on Access to Civil Justice holds final meeting. Recommendations on Civil Right to Counsel and 10 Principles of a State Civil Legal Aid Delivery System were approved for submission to the ABA Board of Governors in August 2006. Texts of proposed resolutions are available to state and local bars interested in co-sponsoring. (4/7/06) <Document 1125690389.72 not found>. ABA President Mike Greco talks about the Task Force.

<Document 1146861769.66 not found>(5/03/06)

Mississippi Governor Approves $5 Civil Filing Fee to Benefit Legal Services Programs (msword, 21 Kb) (4/20/06)

New York State Bar Special Committee on Funding for Civil Legal Aid recommends cy pres plan (msword, 23 Kb) (4/20/06)

ABA Center for Pro Bono releases new brochure Pro Bono Clients: Strategies for Success (pdf, 1 Mb) (4/1/06)

Texas Access to Justice Commission submits Report to the Supreme Court (pdf, 1 Mb) (5/7/06)

The 2006 National Meeting of State Access to Justice Chairs took place in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 1, in conjunction with the 2006 Equal Justice Conference. The ATJ Chairs meeting was attended by more than 100 state Access to Justice leaders. (4/2/06)

Eastern Regional Conference on Access to Justice for the Self-Represented scheduled for May 11-12 in White Plains, MY (pdf, 635 Kb) (2/8/06)

Maine Justice Action group launches statewide planning process with broadly inclusive retreat. Overview and materials (msword, 263 Kb) . Link to web site (html, 34 Kb) Agenda (msword, 23 Kb) . (3/21/06) press coverage

New Mexico Access to Justice Commission considers New Mexico 10-Point Pro Bono Plan (Draft 3/3/06) (msword, 119 Kb)

Illinois legislature considers legislation that would allocate class action residuals to legal aid. Fact Sheet on SB 2284 (msword, 28 Kb) (4/2/06) New Washington State Rule on allocation of some unclaimed residuals in class actions to legal aid (msword, 20 Kb) (1/3/06)

Arkansas ATJ Commission holds Town Hall meeting to explore state of providing legal aid to the poor. (msword, 25 Kb)

Washington Access to Justice Board provides guidance on Ensuring Equal Access to the Courts for People with Disabilities. (4/2/06)

Self Represented Litigants: Characteristics, Needs and Services--The Result of Two Surveys (pdf, 1 Mb) December 2005 report from New York’s Office of the Deputy Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives on self represented litigants in the New York City Family Court and the New York City Housing Court. (12/15/05)

North Carolina Supreme Court establishes new Equal Access to Justice Commission (msword, 38 Kb) (12/05/05)

LSC releases report documenting 'justice gap' in U.S. (10/17/05)

New Jersey report on People Without Lawyers: The Continuing Justice Gap in New Jersey (pdf, 95 Kb) (11/1/05)

A banner year for state funding. PERLS reports new, increased, or restored funding in 17 states in this legislative session, for a net increase of $24 million nationally. (11/20/05) Related article: Tough Times, Creative Solutions: New Sources of Funding for the Poor (msword, 46 Kb) ABA Bar Leader magazine (11/04)

Arkansas ATJ Commission conducts Survey of Arkansas Court Clerks Regarding Self-Represented Litigants (msword, 43 Kb) (11/1/05)

West Virginia State Bar dues increase to help fund legal aid (msword, 19 Kb)

<Document 1133278750.88 not found> (11/16/05)

New Mexico Access to Justice Commission holds hearings around state. (msword, 56 Kb) New Mexico Bar endorses ATJ proposals (9/26/05).

California Commission on Access to Justice releases report on Language Barriers to Justice in California (msword, 19 Kb) (9/15/05)

The Rapid Expansion of State "Access to Justice" Commissions (pdf, 136 Kb) , article by ATJ Support Project director Bob Echols from MIE Journal, Summer 2005.

Indiana Supreme Court amends Code of Judicial Conduct to clarify that judges can engage in activities to promote pro bono services, such as recruitment, recognition events, accommodations in scheduling court appearances, and service as advisors to pro bono programs.(7/15/05) <

"This Issue Will Not Go Away": Continuing to Seek the Right to Counsel in Civil Cases (pdf, 122 Kb) article by John Nethercut from Clearinghouse Review magazine, winter 2004.

Washington State creates Office of Civil Legal Aid. New state office will be within Judicial branch. (7/1/05)

Utah becomes 31st state to convert to mandatory IOLTA. Supreme Court Order. (6/27/05)

Minnesota Legislature increases legal aid funding by $5 million (6/30/05)

New Hampshire raises state legal aid funding to support new office and "working poor" pilot project (6/29/05)

<Document 1120571661.58 not found> (6/29/05)

Illinois Increases State Funding for Legal Aid (msword, 23 Kb) (6/15/05)

New Georgia Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears identifies access to civil justice as top priority (6/29/05)

Iowa Task Force on Pro Se Litigation (pdf, 122 Kb) issues report recommending simplified forms and procedures, clear directives and increased flexibility for judges, facilitation of unbundled services, and increased funding for legal aid (5/18/05)

Maine doubles civil penalties to support legal aid. See article in <Document 1120599105.12 not found>

Access to Justice Checklist (pdf, 56 Kb) a new tool to help state Access to Justice entities set goals and priorities.

J. Philip Burt, outgoing chair of Indiana Pro Bono Commission, to be honored with ABA Pro Bono Publico Award (6/15/05)

Georgia Supreme Court creates new state Equal Justice Commission. <Document 1116536835.21 not found> (5/4/05)

Georgia State Bar adds $150 opt-out contribution to lawyers’ dues notices to benefit legal aid program. See dues form. (4/9/05)

Arkansas legislature increases civil case reopening fee to fund legal aid, with benefit projected at $200,000-$400,000 annually. See legislation. (5/1/05)

Mississippi becomes the fourth state to amend its professional responsibility rules to require mandatory pro bono reporting. (3/24/05) Mississippi Rule of Professional Responsibility 6.1 (pdf, 23 Kb)

DC Court of Appeals names members of newly-created Access to Justice Commission. (pdf, 37 Kb) Georgetown University Law Center Professor Peter Edelman to chair. DC Access to Justice Commission Members (msword, 22 Kb)

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court creates new Access to Justice Commission (msword, 24 Kb) (2/28/05)

Tough Times, Creative Solutions: New Sources of Funding for the Poor (msword, 46 Kb) article from ABA Bar Leader magazine (11/04)

Equal Access Fund: A Report to the California Legislature (msword, 20 Kb) Judicial Council evaluation report calling for increased funding for civil legal aid and court self-help centers (3/1/05)

Access to Maine Courts for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency (msword, 178 Kb) , Report to Maine Justice Action Group, January 2005

Colorado ATJ Commission generates local committees at judicial district level (html, 34 Kb) (11/04)

Building State Justice Communities: Where Do we Go from Here? (pdf, 183 Kb) article by NLADA Civil Director Don Saunders from NLADA Cornerstone magazine.

Texas Supreme Court and Access to Justice Commission release protective order self-help kit. Press release (msword, 110 Kb) Op-ed by Texas First Lady Anita Perry. (msword, 106 Kb) (4/12/05)

Wisconsin Supreme Court issues order mandating $50 per lawyer assessment to fund legal services and requiring the State Bar to conduct a study of the civil legal needs of the poor in the state. (3/24/05)

State of the Judiciary in Texas (pdf, 153 Kb) Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson calls for improved access to justice, lauding work of Texas Access to Justice Commission and citing creation of the Supreme Court’s Task Force to Expand Legal Services Delivery and the planned release of a protective order self-help kit in April. (2/23/05)

How Maryland coalition changed pro bono policy, from ABA Dialogue magazine

Wisconsin Supreme Court orders $50 assessment on bar dues in response to civil legal aid funding crisis

Texas Access to Justice Commission partners with law schools to establish scholarships for future legal aid lawyers (msword, 28 Kb)

ABA Legal Services Now reports on Minnesota cy pres award to legal aid programs, new Illinois rule on limited admission for legal aid lawyers, 2004 state legislative funding recap, and other legal aid-related news

Arkansas ATJ Commission holds first meetings; Law School Dean elected chair (msword, 73 Kb)

Oregon uses humor to raise funds for legal aid in first-ever "LAF-OFF" competition

Texas Supreme Court Holds Hearing on Access to Justice, September 8, 2004

Access to Justice Update, Summer 2004 (pdf, 257 Kb)
Access to Justice Update, Spring 2004 (pdf, 297 Kb)
SPAN Update, Winter 2003-2004 (pdf, 331 Kb)
SPAN Update, Fall 2003 (pdf, 344 Kb)
SPAN Update, Summer 2003 (pdf, 111 Kb)
SPAN Update, Spring 2003 (pdf, 147 Kb)
SPAN Update, Winter 2002-2003 (pdf, 114 Kb)
SPAN Update, Fall 2002 (pdf, 49 Kb)
SPAN Update, Summer 2002 (pdf, 200 Kb)
SPAN Update, Spring 2002 (pdf, 107 Kb)

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