Access to Justice

432 ABA Journal Access to Justice articles.

SCOTUS should not restrict counsel’s investigations in death penalty cases, ABA says

In an amicus brief filed Monday, the ABA urged the U.S. Supreme Court to reaffirm that counsel representing habeas petitioners should be able to investigate new evidence without first proving that the evidence will provide relief to their clients.

Apr 5, 2022 9:34 AM CDT

Florida Supreme Court rejects bar committee’s reform proposals, asks for alternatives

After rejecting several proposals earlier this month that would have opened up Florida’s legal marketplace to nonlawyer financial interests and practitioners, the Florida Supreme Court has tasked the Florida Bar with coming up with alternative plans to strengthen access to justice.

Mar 22, 2022 8:37 AM CDT

Racial justice clinic announced for University of Minnesota Law School

As school districts across the country deal with complaints from people who say they are opposed to teaching critical race theory in the classroom, the University of Minnesota Law School isn’t dodging the controversy.

Mar 16, 2022 6:00 AM CDT

Escrow officer accused of transferring nearly $2M to scammer gives up license as limited practice officer

An escrow officer in Washington has given up her certification as a limited practice officer after she was accused of wiring nearly $2 million in client escrow funds to a scammer.

Mar 10, 2022 11:03 AM CST

Lawyer shot and injured by FBI agents admitted orchestrating $300M Ponzi scheme, prosecutor alleges

A lawyer shot and injured by FBI agents last week confessed to orchestrating a $300 million Ponzi scheme, a federal prosecutor told a judge. The lawyer has been charged with assault on a federal officer for allegedly waving a gun at three FBI agents.

Mar 9, 2022 12:39 PM CST

After criticism, California bar’s working group will focus on sandbox and trim membership ranks

In the aftermath of sharp criticism from the state legislature, a State Bar of California panel tasked with developing ideas for how nontraditional legal services providers can enhance access to justice will resume its work but with a narrower focus and cuts to its membership.

Feb 28, 2022 4:15 PM CST

‘Justice Tech’ companies launch new association to advocate for consumers and reforms

A new group called the Justice Technology Association aims to provide regulators with a more well-rounded perspective on embracing innovative approaches to offering legal services and addressing the justice gap.

Feb 24, 2022 8:52 AM CST

How a social justice innovation lab is developing new types of legal services

The Innovation for Justice lab launched at the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law in 2018 with the goal of designing, building and testing new solutions to addressing the justice gap impacting millions of Americans.

Feb 16, 2022 8:36 AM CST

Lawyers in 2 states sanctioned over association with national bankruptcy law firm

Updated: Lawyers in Iowa and Virginia have been sanctioned for their association with a national bankruptcy law firm accused of using high-pressure tactics to sign up clients.

Feb 14, 2022 1:59 PM CST

Weekly Briefs: Biden describes 4 potential SCOTUS nominees; US liable for over $230M in church shooting

Biden does ‘deep dive’ on ‘about 4’ potential SCOTUS nominees President Joe Biden told NBC Nightly News on Thursday that he has done a “deep dive” on “about four” potential U.S. Supreme Court nominees, meaning that they have been subjected to thorough background checks. Biden said his short list includes…

Feb 11, 2022 2:23 PM CST

ABE supports 12 ‘new and critical initiatives’ through annual grant program

The American Bar Endowment's Opportunity Grant Program will again support a number of causes, including advocating for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, improving access to the courts for women in prison and ensuring due process for immigrants and asylum-seekers.

Feb 9, 2022 10:16 AM CST

Lawyer who helped establish legal services for the poor dies at 86

Edgar Cahn, a lawyer who helped establish the program that would become known as the Legal Services Corp., has died at age 86.

Feb 1, 2022 11:53 AM CST

Innovative nonprofit organization supports public defenders and their clients

A low-income defendant. An overworked public defender. An underresourced legal system and a cash-strapped local government. Most people wouldn’t look at this scenario and immediately think “opportunity,” but that’s what sets New York City lawyer Emily Galvin-Almanza apart—and explains her innovative approach to legal reform.

Feb 1, 2022 2:20 AM CST

Nonprofit sues over unauthorized practice rules that prevent free nonlawyer advice in debt cases

A lawsuit filed Tuesday contends that New York’s rules banning the unauthorized practice of law interfere with a First Amendment right by nonlawyers to provide free legal advice to debt collection defendants.

Jan 26, 2022 1:41 PM CST

Immigration court system needs independence from the DOJ, ABA representative says at congressional hearing

A former chair of the ABA Commission on Immigration testified before Congress Thursday to advocate for the creation of an independent immigration court system. Immigration courts are currently located within the Department of Justice and under the control of the attorney general.

Jan 21, 2022 9:48 AM CST

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