Several states consider lowering cut scores on bar exam, making it easier to pass

Rhode Island has followed California’s lead in lowering the bar exam cut score to make the test easier to pass, a step that several other states are also considering.

Mar 29, 2021 11:37 AM CDT

Falling behind on rent could mean jail time in one state, but that could change

Only Arkansas permits criminal consequences for nonpayment of rent—and it has enforced the law during the pandemic. Now, after ProPublica investigated the practice, some legislators want to revoke the statute.

Mar 29, 2021 9:50 AM CDT

First law firm owned entirely by nonlawyers opens in Utah

Law on Call—touted as the first entirely nonlawyer owned law firm in the United States—is open for business in Utah. Law on Call is operating as a result of legal reforms approved by the Utah Supreme Court in August 2020.

Mar 17, 2021 10:50 AM CDT

Permitting alternative business structures could spur tech innovation, Arizona justice says

Arizona is hopeful that its decision to permit alternative business structures in the law will produce greater technological innovation within the legal industry, said Arizona Supreme Court Vice Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer during the ABA Techshow 2021 on Monday.

Mar 8, 2021 5:20 PM CST

ABA becomes plaintiff in lawsuit over treatment of children affected by remain-in-Mexico program

The ABA’s immigration project in Texas has joined a lawsuit alleging that unaccompanied children affected by the Trump administration’s remain-in-Mexico program are being denied basic legal rights.

Feb 16, 2021 12:18 PM CST

Alternative legal service providers continue to increase their market share, survey finds

Alternative legal service providers continue to make significant inroads in the legal industry, growing their global market share to $13.9 billion by the end of 2019, according to a new study released Wednesday.

Feb 11, 2021 11:41 AM CST

Judge admits she presided in court while ineligible to practice law

A part-time municipal judge in New Jersey has acknowledged that she presided in trials and represented clients while ineligible to practice law.

Feb 9, 2021 2:41 PM CST

New York may license social workers to handle some legal tasks

The New York state courts’ Working Group on Regulatory Innovation has unanimously recommended the state create a program to train and license social workers to provide limited legal services for clients.

Feb 8, 2021 12:36 PM CST

Annual ABE grant program supports 15 ‘boots-on-the-ground’ projects

Survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking. Residents at risk of losing their homes. Immigrants and asylum-seekers who rely on legal representation. All three of these groups are among those supported by the American Bar Endowment’s Opportunity Grant Program, which announced Monday that it will provide more than $275,000 to 15 “new, innovative, boots-on-the-ground" projects that address the urgent legal needs of underserved communities.

Feb 2, 2021 11:45 AM CST

Courts attempt to balance innovation with access in remote proceedings

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the judiciary was slow to innovate and resistant to virtual proceedings. Now courts are using every tool at their disposal, balancing safety with the need to keep the wheels of justice spinning.

Feb 1, 2021 3:30 AM CST

Justice for All: ABA acts to expand civil legal assistance

Feb 1, 2021 2:30 AM CST

Utah became first state to change ethics regulations to allow for alternative business structures

The leadership of Justice Constandinos “Deno” Himonas and John Lund paved the way for the Utah Supreme Court’s unanimous vote in August to adopt a package of sweeping regulatory changes.

Feb 1, 2021 1:10 AM CST

Housing lawyer Sateesh Nori knew COVID-19 would force courts to go digital—so he stepped in to help

As COVID-19 spread through New York City and shuttered its courthouses in March 2020, Sateesh Nori realized JustFix.nyc could do even more to empower tenants to exercise their rights during the pandemic.

Feb 1, 2021 12:50 AM CST

Citing access to justice, Arizona decided to embrace controversial alternative business structures

Members of the state’s legal community and regulatory reform proponents credit Arizona Supreme Court Vice Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer and Administrative Office of the Courts Director Dave Byers with playing leading roles in Arizona’s progress.

Feb 1, 2021 12:40 AM CST

Quinten Steenhuis used tech expertise and passion for social justice to create tools for legal needs

For nearly 12 years, Steenhuis worked as a senior housing attorney, systems administrator and developer at Greater Boston Legal Services, where he also built Massachusetts Defense for Eviction, which helps pro se tenants defend themselves.

Feb 1, 2021 12:00 AM CST