Legal Access Job Corps

Features

Courts & Judiciary

Launch Pads and Incubators Providing Access to Justice Using Law Graduates and New Lawyers

By Judge Fern A. Fisher

A justice system strained by millions of unrepresented litigants requires new approaches to closing the justice gap. The launch pad and incubator models assist in providing services, but, more importantly, they help develop the solo practitioner and lawyer for the future.

Courts & Judiciary

The ABA Judicial Division Turns 100: The Vanderbilt Reforms

By Peter M. Koelling

Throughout its history, the ABA Judicial Division and its leaders have set the courts on the road to reform by working to improve the administration of justice and establishing the independence of the courts.

Courts & Judiciary

Unbundling Legal Services in 2014: Recommendations for the Courts

By Forrest Mosten

Unbundling services enables lawyers who serve those of modest means to expand their outreach to a broader base of potential clients. This overview explores the latest developments in unbundling, showcases how judges and court staff have worked for its acceptance, and recommends expanding unbundling to increase legal access.

Courts & Judiciary

The Public Interest Fellowship Model for Judicial Clerkship: A Win-Win for Recent Law Grads, Law Schools, and the Courts

By Judge Elizabeth S. Stong

Through the ABA’s Task Force on Legal Access Job Corps, law schools support their best students and graduates with public interest fellowship opportunities. Judges and courts have wisely embraced the chance to bring on board additional law clerks to meet the needs of a growing workload and diminishing resources.

Courts & Judiciary

New York’s Template to Address the Crisis in Civil Legal Services

By Judge Jonathan Lippman

New York’s chief judge explains how he has confronted the acute need for civil legal assistance. The New York judiciary’s work is part of a growing movement nationwide that recognizes the necessity of civil legal representation for the poor and near-poor to sustain a functioning legal system and protect equal justice for all.

Courts & Judiciary

The U.S. Supreme Court Fellows Program: The Opportunity of a Lifetime

By S.I. Strong

Each fall, four extremely talented individuals begin the prestigious U.S. Supreme Court Fellows program. Hear from a recent Fellow about the unparalleled opportunities to observe and participate in the work of the federal judiciary at the highest level.

Appellate Practice

Writing Appellate Decisions Observations of a Rookie Appellate Judge

By Judge Samuel A. Thumma

This article shares observations on the art, science, and idiosyncrasy of writing appellate decisions. While there are no crisp rules, be mindful of your audience, keep the introduction clean, incorporate structure and headings, avoid unintended consequences, and consider developing your own guide to style and preferences.

Technology Column

Courts & Judiciary

Scientific Fact or Junk Science? Tracking a Cell Phone without GPS

By Judge Herbert B. Dixon Jr.

Increasingly, competing experts are offering opposing opinions on the reliability of determining the approximate location of a cell phone. In this article, Judge Dixon highlights the significant arguments by both sides and discusses the technology on which these arguments are based.

Ethics Column

Ethics

Judicial Innovations Lead to Inevitable Ethics Questions

By Marla N. Greenstein

Given budget constraints and increasing family issues brought to the courts, innovation will be required to fulfill the obligations under Rule 2.5 of the 2007 Model Code of Judicial Conduct. Advisory opinions will be needed more than ever before to address this changing landscape.

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Legal Access Job Corps