Access to Justice

Lawyer asks to withdraw from nearly 200 indigent-defense cases after state investigation

A prominent defense lawyer in Maine has asked to withdraw from nearly 200 court-appointed cases after the state’s public defense agency opened an investigation into her firm.

Jul 13, 2021 3:00 PM CDT

Solving civil justice issues in the classroom

“Throughout my time as an access-to-justice scholar, I have noticed a meaningful gap in our collective understanding of the scope of civil justice problems in the United States and of the real work needed to address the access-to-justice crisis.”

Jul 8, 2021 9:10 AM CDT

Mandatory bar in Texas violates lawyers’ First Amendment rights, 5th Circuit rules

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the mandatory state bar in Texas violates lawyers’ First Amendment rights because of its political and ideological activities.

Jul 6, 2021 10:55 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: New York City law department hacked; Stanford Law wasn’t involved in fake flyer fracas

New York City law department is hacked Lawyers in New York City’s law department have no remote access to the the computer system after a computer hack, a spokesperson said Monday. An investigation has been launched. The system was still down Tuesday morning. (The New York Daily News here and…

Jun 8, 2021 4:30 PM CDT

To increase veterans’ access to legal aid, providers should work with VA, break down ‘silos,’ new report says

Legal aid providers should expand collaboration with programs of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help provide comprehensive services for veterans, according to a task force report released Tuesday.

May 26, 2021 10:15 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Controversial remarks by ‘QAnon shaman’ lawyer; progressive district attorney wins primary

Lawyer for ‘QAnon shaman’ says rioters are ‘short-bus people’ Albert Watkins, the lawyer for the accused U.S. Capitol Hill rioter known as the “QAnon Shaman,” told Talking Points Memo that a lot of the rioting defendants are “short-bus people.” Watkins said the defendants are people with “brain damage, they’re f-…

May 19, 2021 4:19 PM CDT

Success of ABA Day 2021 is a blueprint for year-round advocacy

On April 20 and 21, thousands joined the American Bar Association online during its annual advocacy event, ABA Day, to discuss the need for robust legal aid funding and increased judicial security.

May 5, 2021 2:10 PM CDT

ABA president, other leaders will volunteer for Free Legal Answers

ABA President Patricia Lee Refo will join other leaders from the ABA in volunteering for ABA Free Legal Answers, a virtual legal advice clinic that allows income-eligible users to ask volunteer attorneys civil legal questions.

Apr 12, 2021 10:06 AM CDT

New PBS documentary shows how one man’s legacy changed the trajectory of American race relations

Individuals and companies reach out to me regularly regarding their new law-related TV projects. Recently, I received an email regarding the new PBS documentary The Blinding of Isaac Woodard, which first aired March 30. I was sent a link to a press preview that gave access to the production prior to its release.

Apr 8, 2021 9:06 AM CDT

Increasing revenue while cutting down on billable hours? ‘AI for Lawyers’ says it’s possible

As the founders of a company that provides AI-powered contract analysis software, Kira Systems' Noah Waisberg and Alexander Hudek are used to facing skepticism, fear and doubt from attorneys. Will AI steal their jobs? Would using it violate ethics rules? How can it be good for a business model that relies on the billable hour to cut down on the amount of time that it takes to review a contract?

Apr 7, 2021 9:17 AM CDT

Artificial intelligence has made great inroads, but hasn’t yet increased access to civil justice

With AI using data to improve customer experience in other industries—from banking and retail to consumer electronics and transportation—can it enhance access to justice in civil court?

Apr 1, 2021 1:40 AM CDT

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