The Role of Lawyers and Judges in Providing Access: the Access to Justice Conference

• Publication year: 2002
• Pages: 35

31 Colo.Law. 35 Colorado Lawyer 2002.

2002, February, Pg. 35. The Role of Lawyers and Judges in Providing Access: The Access to Justice Conference

Vol. 31, No. 1, Pg. 35

The Colorado Lawyer
February 2002
Vol. 31, No. 2 [Page 35]

Departments
Access to Justice
The Role of Lawyers and Judges in Providing Access: The Access to Justice Conference
by JoAnn Viola Salazar

Jo Ann Viola Salazar is the CBA Director of Public and Legal Services, (303) 824-5310 or (800) 332-6736 jvsalazar@cobar.org. This department is printed six times per calendar year. Readers interested in contributing an article on legal services, pro bono, and access to justice topics should contact Kathleen Gebhardt at (303) 499-8859 or Kjgebhardt@att.net

Somewhere over the rainbow
I can see
There's a land where there's justice
Even for folks like me.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Courts are fair
And if I get evicted
Legal Aid would be there

With apologies to Harold Arlen, composer, Wizard of Oz

The 2001 Access to Justice Conference was held May 11, 2001, at the University of Denver College of Law ("DU") for lawyers and other interested persons. It began with a song and some laughter. The participants tried to add some lightness to the program, despite the seriousness of the subject. The fact is that many people do not have access to justice in a meaningful way, which is a failure of the legal system that must be remedied. The purpose of the Conference was to examine significant issues and come up with possible remedies.

After a day of examining the problems in the system and the resources available, the Conference attendees shifted into a problem-solving mode and came up with a list of suggestions to improve access to justice. These suggestions are discussed below and are intended to help lawyers and judges determine how they how they can help make the legal system more efficient and accessible.

Judicial Support for Pro Bono
Representation

Pro bono representation, among other things, assists the courts by providing legal services to those who would need court assistance should they proceed with their cases pro se Judges and their administrative staff can assist pro bono attorneys by: (1) expediting rulings on motions to proceed in forma pauperis; (2) expressing the intention to cooperate with counsel involved in only limited aspects of a suit; (3) approving liberal attorney fee awards...