Access to Justice

Attorney urges other lawyers to use outrage over George Floyd’s death to demand policing reforms

Speaking on what would have been George Floyd’s 47th birthday, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump urged attendees of the annual Clio Cloud Conference on Wednesday to use the widespread outrage generated by Floyd’s death at the hands of law enforcement to demand policing reforms.

Oct 14, 2020 3:25 PM CDT

New homeless court program launches in Flint, Michigan

Judge G. David Guinn knows from his nearly 20 years of experience as a prosecutor that coming to court can be a traumatic experience for many people.

Oct 12, 2020 3:38 PM CDT

ABA Criminal Justice Section reflects on its first 100 years

As April Frazier Camara celebrates the 100th anniversary of the ABA’s Criminal Justice Section, she also looks forward to facing the many challenges she sees in the criminal legal system. “Racial injustice is something that is on the minds and hearts of American people,” says Camara, the chair of the section.

Oct 12, 2020 2:09 PM CDT

How can courts counter disinformation? Arizona task force releases recommendations

An Arizona panel has called for court officials in the state and throughout the country to do more to address the threat of disinformation targeting the justice system.

Oct 5, 2020 3:04 PM CDT

Minnesota will launch legal paraprofessional pilot program

Minnesota is joining the gradually growing roster of states allowing nonlawyers to handle some legal tasks in hopes of providing greater access to justice.

Oct 1, 2020 9:19 AM CDT

Private equity firm purchases law practice management platform Rocket Matter

A private equity firm based in New York has acquired Rocket Matter, one of the leading practice management platforms in the legal industry since its launch more than a decade ago.

Sep 25, 2020 1:37 PM CDT

How losing RBG could shape criminal justice for years to come

Juvenile lifers, victims of police misconduct and immigrants convicted of minor crimes are among those with a lot at stake before the changing court

Sep 25, 2020 10:11 AM CDT

California Supreme Court lawyer shares supervised practice idea for unsuccessful bar applicants

In August, the California Supreme Court announced that a lowered bar exam cut score will not retroactively apply to candidates who previously failed the test.

Sep 21, 2020 10:38 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: 7th Circuit rules on jail’s COVID-19 safety measures; ABA asks FEMA to activate disaster legal services

7th Circuit weighs in on federal judge’s order to curb COVID-19 at Cook County Jail The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago affirmed Tuesday most of a federal judge’s order for the Cook County sheriff to enact measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the county jail,…

Sep 9, 2020 3:50 PM CDT

Rocket Lawyer is among the first applicants approved to join Utah’s regulatory sandbox program

Rocket Lawyer announced Tuesday that it is one of the first entities approved to participate in Utah’s new regulatory sandbox program permitting nontraditional legal services providers, including those with nonlawyer investors, to operate in the state without fear of being accused of the unauthorized practice of law.

Sep 8, 2020 4:38 PM CDT

SCLAID celebrates centennial by recognizing 2 young lawyers’ work to promote access to justice

The ABA Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense is celebrating its 100th anniversary by also celebrating the contributions two young lawyers have made to advance access to justice in their communities.

Sep 3, 2020 9:25 AM CDT

How are things working out for 3 Utah law grads seeking diploma privilege?

Prior to this summer, Chase Wilde didn’t know how to file a court appearance. Thanks to the supervised practice requirement in the Utah Supreme Court’s temporary order for diploma privilege, he does now.

Sep 1, 2020 9:08 AM CDT

Arizona approves nonlawyer ownership, nonlawyer licensees in access-to-justice reforms

Arizona has become the second state in recent weeks to approve opening its doors to nonlawyer ownership or investment in law firms, concepts that previously have faced strong resistance in the United States.

Aug 28, 2020 2:20 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: 3 online law schools get state accreditation; cop immobilization maneuver can be fatal

3 fully online law schools get California accreditation On Friday, California accreditation was given to three online law schools—the Concord Law School at Purdue University Global, the Northwestern California University School of Law and the St. Francis Law School. Two other online schools, the California School of Law and the…

Aug 25, 2020 4:13 PM CDT

Do you have an idea for an access-to-justice project? ABE is offering grants

Kentucky’s Legal Aid of the Bluegrass bought a Mercedes Sprinter van outfitted with a mobile law office. Iowa Legal Aid opened its state’s first medical-legal partnership in a VA medical center. Advocates for Immigrant Rights, Community Legal Center and Mid-South Immigration Advocates, three groups that serve immigrants in four southern…

Aug 17, 2020 1:50 PM CDT