Page 98 - BOGManual_2023January

On January 13, 2023, the SRL Committee of the Louisiana ATJ Commission and Louisiana
District Judges Association, hosted its fourth Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Service
Provider Summit at Taylor, Porter in Baton Rouge. Sessions covered topics to assist courts
and organizations serving self-represented litigants, including best practices for working
with SRLs, training resources, new technologies, court forms, materials to assist SRLs, and
much more. 40 individuals attended, with representation from parishes throughout the
state—Assumption, East Baton Rouge, Lincoln, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Tammany,
Tangipahoa, among others. Attendees included judges and court staff, clerks of court, pro
bono and legal aid attorneys, and representatives from domestic violence organizations.

3. LSBA Access to Justice Program Participates in Apprenticeship Week at LSU Law
Center
Each January for the past several years, the LSBA’s Access to Justice Program hosts a
week-long session during LSU Apprenticeship Week on access to justice titled, “Serving
the Public and the Profession.” During the week, we explore the organized bar’s efforts to
support access to justice, the impetus for doing so, and how the legal profession is
sustaining and growing these efforts. The focus is on developing practical skills that assist
professional advancement and public service. A diverse group of ATJ leaders present
during the program and topics covered include: Louisiana’s civil legal aid network, the
importance of providing pro bono work, the justice gap, unbundled legal services, the rise
of self-represented litigation, and client communication. Skills training includes a
LA.FreeLegalAnswers.org clinic, preparation of court filings, and an interview skills
training focusing on working with clients with special needs.

LSBA Past President Marta-Ann Schnabel served as faculty for the course and presenters
included: Sachida Raman, Acadiana Legal Service Corp.; Chris Ralston, Phelps Dunbar;
Virginia Listach, Southern University Law Center; Hon. Judy Moore Vendetto; Paul W.
Breaux, Louisiana State University Law Center; Hon. Kathleen Richey (ret.); Luz Molina,
Loyola College of Law; Kellie Johnson, Mental Health Advocacy Center; Debra Weinberg
and Shannon Barnes, Disability Rights Louisiana; and Magaly Hayes, Registered Court
Interpreter.

4. Louisiana Justice For All Project successfully launches two Legal Help Access Points
and plans expansion of the project

The Louisiana Access to Justice (ATJ) Commission was awarded a second $100,000 grant
from the National Center for State Courts’(NCSC) Justice for All (JFA) Project to increase
access to civil legal resources in areas with high poverty rates, limited internet access, and
long drive times to the nearest legal aid office or self-help center (commonly referred to as
civil legal resource deserts). Most recently, the JFA Steering Committee launched Legal
Help Access Points in Concordia and East Carroll Parishes to navigate civil legal help,
learn about their legal issues, fill out self-help forms, meet with an attorney, and appear
online for a court hearing. The Legal Help Access Points are in enclosed spaces and allow
users to gain access to automated self help resources and forms, determine eligibility for
civil legal aid, get customized legal help, meet virtually with an attorney, or attend a virtual
court hearing. A third access point will be launched in Harrisonburg in Catahoula Parish
at the end of January. Stakeholders are also in discussions about opening an Access Point