Avvo, LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer CEOs say their products help bridge access-to-justice gap

The ABA Techshow’s highly anticipated, and somewhat controversial keynote session took place on Friday afternoon at the Hilton Chicago. As promised, Avvo CEO Mark Britton, LegalZoom CEO John Suh and Rocket Lawyer CEO Charley Moore took part in a panel discussion that focused on their careers, their thoughts on the…

Mar 17, 2017 6:08 PM CDT

Can nonprofit firms bridge the access-to-justice gap?

Nonprofit law practice is a fairly new concept, and the economic viability and legal nuances of 501(c)(3) status still are open questions.

Jan 1, 2017 3:40 AM CST

Tech knowledge makes lawyers more productive, and could be key to increasing access to justice

The faith we place in our future selves is near limitless. The me-of-tomorrow is going to be more disciplined and diligent than the me-of-today. Getting to the gym. More sleep. Acquiring a new skill. We often laugh at our prior selves for their hubris. That is, unless they have somehow…

Dec 8, 2016 8:30 AM CST

ABA commission’s recommendations seek to close the access-to-justice gap

As expected, the ABA Commission on the Future of Legal Services delivered plenty of recommendations for how the bar can close the gap in access to justice in America, while steering clear of the most contentious issue: alternative business structures.

Oct 1, 2016 1:40 AM CDT

Can the access-to-justice gap be closed? These recommendations might make it possible

As expected, the ABA Commission on the Future of Legal Services delivered plenty of recommendations for how the bar can close the access to justice gap in America, while steering clear of the most contentious issue: whether alternative business structures—most notably nonlawyer ownership of law firms—should be permissible. After two…

Aug 6, 2016 8:35 PM CDT

These states have the best and worst civil access to justice

Washington, D.C., provides the best civil access to justice while Mississippi provides the worst, according to new findings by the National Center for Access to Justice. The “Justice Index” findings are based on access regardless of income, language ability, or physical or mental challenges, according to a press release (PDF)…

May 12, 2016 6:15 AM CDT

William Hubbard speaks about the importance of technology in expanding access to justice

His term may have expired, but William Hubbard continues to champion the work of one of his primary initiatives as president of the ABA: The Commission on the Future of Legal Services. Hubbard took part in a spirited question-and-answer session at ABA Techshow on Thursday and spoke about his reasons…

Mar 17, 2016 2:15 PM CDT

Professor Tanina Rostain has her students developing access-to-justice apps

Professor Tanina Rostain has made a 180-degree turn in her work on the ethics of lawyering. For nearly 20 years she pushed to reform organizational pressures that increasingly had lawyers bending and breaking rules on behalf of corporate clients. (Think dodgy tax shelters.) Now she’s focused on the essence of…

Sep 23, 2015 9:00 AM CDT

Tech companies fight Justice Department over access to data

Apple, Google and Microsoft want to reassure customers that they are fighting the U.S. government’s access to data, resulting in conflicts with the U.S. Justice Department. The New York Times has a report that says the conflicts “reflect heightened corporate resistance, in the post-Edward J. Snowden era.” In one case,…

Sep 9, 2015 5:45 AM CDT

Lawyers need to move beyond ‘access to justice’ to close the legal services gap

By many measures, lawyers’ “access to justice” initiatives are entirely ineffective: • A study (PDF) from the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services found that high-volume state courts are at “saturation level” of pro se litigants. • According to the 2012-2013 World Justice Project’s Rule…

Sep 1, 2015 8:30 AM CDT

Avvo founder tells lawyers to ‘get rid of UPL’ if they want innovation and access to justice

Corrected: At the close of the first day of the ABA’s House of Delegates meeting, the House’s Committee on Issues of Concern presented talks that were “intended to be provocative.” The talks, entitled “Issues of Concern to the Legal Profession” in the day’s program, grew out of the research of…

Aug 3, 2015 8:45 PM CDT

Immigration and access to justice will be hot topics as ABA Midyear Meeting opens in Houston

Midyear meetings of the ABA tend to focus on the administrative business of the association and many of its entities, but when this year’s meeting opens on Wednesday in Houston, there also will be some notable substantive topics on the agenda. Immigration, access to justice for persons of modest means…

Feb 4, 2015 9:10 AM CST

They’re No Hacks: Technology takes center stage as a tool to improve access to justice

Oct 1, 2014 1:40 AM CDT

As we honor the past, we need fresh thinking to ensure access to justice for all

Sep 1, 2014 10:00 AM CDT

Part of access to justice gap is that Americans don’t know when to seek legal help, says study

Corrected: The findings of a study released Friday by the American Bar Foundation provide additional evidence of a serious gap in access to legal services for many Americans. But those findings also suggest that the reasons for the gap can’t be blamed entirely on the usual suspects. Using a list…

Aug 8, 2014 6:28 PM CDT