To improve access to civil legal assistance for low-income Americans, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has announced new technology grants to increase access to Web-based resources, enhance pro bono, expand websites for veterans and disaster recovery, and – a new category this year – improve data collection and analysis.
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TIG Updates
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The latest issue of the Harvard Journal of Law and Technology (JOLT) published seven articles from LSC's June 2012 technology summit. These articles focus on how to best utilize particular technologies to enhance access to justice in the American legal system; they are presented as a single integrated piece. The TIG program's own Jane Ribadeneyra authored the article on “Web-Based Legal Services Delivery Capabilities.” Other topics include:
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The 2013 TIG Evaluation Planning webinar recording is now available. The webinar was recorded using the GoToMeeting/GoToWebinar codec. Most users should be able to view the webinar after downloading it; however, some may need to also download and install the special codec. Users may also need to right-click on the webinar and save it to their computer.
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LSC will host an online training for grantees on preparing TIG evaluation plans on Friday, January 4, 2013, at 1:00 pm EST/ 10:00 am PST. This training will provide TIG grantees with information and guidance necessary to prepare effective TIG project evaluation plans for their 2012 grants. This is a required training for all 2012 TIG recipients. At least one person from each grantee should participate in the live webinar or watch the recording, preferably the person attending the TIG Conference.
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Prior to Legal Aid of Nebraska's Access to Justice Automated Forms Project, no automated forms were available for non-lawyers in the state. Pro se litigants could only hand-write forms, “borrow” from unauthorized form providers, or try to get help from other agencies. This made navigating the justice system particularly difficult for low-income Nebraskans who were unable to find a lawyer.
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This fall the legal services community will lead two more free webinars to help librarians better understand the legal information needs of low-income and vulnerable Americans; the nonprofit legal aid, court and community groups that serve them; and why public and public law libraries are essential partners in meeting these information needs. The nonprofit Pro Bono Net is producing these webinars in collaboration with the Legal Aid Society of Louisville, Central Minnesota Legal Services and Legal Services State Support (MN), with funding from LSC's Technology Initiative Grants program.
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On Thursday, September 13th, the legal services community will lead a free webinar to help librarians better understand the legal information needs among low-income and vulnerable Americans; the nonprofit legal aid, court and community groups that serve them; and why public and public law libraries are essential partners in meeting these information needs. This webinar will also discuss the type of assistance non-attorney, public librarians are able to provide to patrons seeking legal help, and the complementary role of both public and public law libraries.
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A new legal self-help website, Michigan Legal Help, offers information and resources for self-represented litigants in Michigan. The website contains articles, toolkits, forms and instructional checklists for specific legal issues to help prepare people who represent themselves in court. Many court forms can be filled out online using a simple question and answer interview system.
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In August, 2012, the ABA House of Delegates adopted new commentary language for Model Rule 1.1 that requires lawyers to stay up-to-date on the benefits and risks associated with technolgies used in the legal practice.
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The TIG Program is pleased to announce that two more recipients have completed their online intake grants and are now offering robust, accessible online intake options to low-income individuals in their respective states.