About the Resource Center

The Resource Center for Access to Justice Initiatives was created to serve bar, bench and legal services leaders engaged in establishing and expanding state Access to Justice efforts. This Resource Center's web pages bring together in one place key resources and updates on Access to Justice structures and initiatives from around the country. The Resource Center's consultants provide technical assistance and support on the creation and development of Access to Justice structures and on increasing state-level funding for civil legal aid.

Access to Justice Headlines

Legal Aid Funding

New Mexico Supreme Court revises class action rules to provide that residual class action funds may go to legal aid providers. (5/11/11)

California hearings on justice crisis highlight impact of chronic underfunding and budget cuts on courts and legal aid. (12/15/11)

Chief Judge’s Task Force to Expand Access to Civil Legal Services in New York issues 2011 report documenting unmet civil legal needs, economic benefit of legal aid. (12/1/11)

ATJ Commission Development and Leadership

Wyoming Access to Justice Commission charts accomplishments and sets priorities in three-year evaluation and report to the Wyoming Supreme Court. (12/1/11)

Montana Supreme Court petitioned to create new Access to Justice Commission. (12/1/11)

Communication and Public Awareness

California hearings on justice crisis highlight impact of chronic underfunding and budget cuts on courts and legal aid. (12/15/11)

Chief Judge’s Task Force to Expand Access to Civil Legal Services in New York issues 2011 report documenting unmet civil legal needs, economic benefit of legal aid. (12/1/11)

West Virginia Access to Justice Commission public forums identify barriers to the civil justice system and unmet legal needs. (11/15/11)

Montana Supreme Court receives Native American legal needs survey. (12/1/11)

Maine 2012 Access to Justice Symposium examines "Changing Maine: Serving the Legal Needs of Maine’s Growing Aging and Immigrant Population." (1/25/12)

Court Access and Self-Represented Litigants

District of Columbia Courts adopt revisions to Code of Judicial Conduct concerning judges' interactions with unrepresented litigants; broader than ABA Model Code. (1/1/12)

ABA House of Delegates to consider proposed national standards on language access in state courts, supported by Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators. (12/15/11)

Pro Bono

Hawaii Supreme Court amends Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1 to permit attorneys to fulfill voluntary pro bono commitment by donating at least $500 to legal aid. (1/1/12)

New Mexico State Bar Foundation and Access to Justice Commission offer CLE on "poverty, pro bono and professionalism"; fulfills mandatory CLE requirements, with fees going to legal aid. (12/1/11)

New York Courts offer free “bridge-the-gap” CLE training in return for pro bono service. (10/24/11)

Limited Scope Representation

Tennessee Supreme Court proposes new rules on limited scope representation. (1/15/12)

Connecticut lawyers and judges participate in Limited Scope Representation Symposium. (10/28/11)

Civil Right to Counsel

Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission creates special working group to develop study to evaluate the costs and benefits of civil right to counsel.(1/9/12)

Montana Supreme Court cites inherent authority of trial courts to appoint pro bono counsel in appropriate cases.(12/8/11)

Civil Legal Aid Planning, Delivery and Support

New Mexico Supreme Court amends attorney registration and bar dues rules to provide for legal services limited license. (1/1/12)

CUNY Law School’s Incubator for Justice program helps new law grads transition to community-based practice. (9/22/11)

Access to Justice Headlines Archive

Updated: 01/23/2012