Category Archives: Chapter 2: Technology and the Legal Aid Community
Additional suggested readings
Jona Goldschmidt, The Pro Se Litigant’s Struggle For Access To Justice, Family Court Review, Volume 40, Issue 1, pages 36-62 (Jan. 2002)
Illinois Legal Aid Online
Illinois Legal Aid Online may be the single most helpful resource for pro se litigants in Illinois. Via this site, litigants can access current court forms, basic procedural guides, A2J Guided Interviews, and much more. Think of various issues faced … Continue reading
NYCourtsA2J video on New York’s “Do-It-Yourself Forms”
This video introduces the essential concepts behind online automation of legal forms. A question and answer session reveals how “DIY” forms can make accessing New York’s court system easier and less expensive.
LegalAidKY video on “How to Use A2J Author”
A video covering the essentials of performing an A2J Guided Interview, which introduces basic navigation features for the end-user.
Legal Services Corporation Encourages Technical Innovation
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the single largest funder for civil legal aid for low-income Americans in the nation. It is a nonprofit organization that provides grants for numerous ongoing legal aid projects, including A2J Author®. Specifically, A2J Author® … Continue reading
Celebrating the “Null” Finding: Evidence-Based Strategies for Improving Access to Legal Services, by Jenna Charn
Jeanne Charn, a pioneer in clinical legal education who teaches at Harvard Law School, just published a startling article in the Yale Law Journal about the Civil Gideon movement and reform of courts to support expanded self help. “We should measure … Continue reading
Natural Allies: Philanthropy and Civil Legal Aid
This article promotes civil legal aid as a wise investment for philanthropists seeking to make real, positive differences with their contributions. The authors discuss how philanthropic efforts have had positive effects already, whom those efforts have benefited, and future opportunities … Continue reading
Self-Represented Litigants and the Access to Justice Revolution in the State Courts: Cross-Pollinating Perspectives Toward a Dialogue for Innovation in the Courts and the Administrative System, by Richard Zorza
Richard Zorza discusses various responses to the “tidal wave” of pro se litigants that has broken across the US court system over the past 15 years. Zorza examines courts’ intake procedures, case management systems, and party compliance enforcement in the … Continue reading
Documenting the Justice Gap in America, by the Legal Services Corporation
With this report, the LSC documents the current unmet legal needs of low-income Americans. Careful research exposes the proportion of Americans unable to gain sufficient access to our legal system, who these individuals tend to be, and what barriers prevent … Continue reading