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ACCESS TO JUSTICE REPORT NOV 2023

To: LSBA Board of Governors
From: Monte Mollere, ATJ Director

This memo highlights information on the programs and initiatives of the LSBA’s Access to Justice
Commission, Committee and Department that may be of interest or relevance to the LSBA Board of
Governors. Should you have any questions or require additional background on any item, I am happy
to provide that information.

1) LSBA Participates in ABA’s National Celebrate Pro Bono Week

As a part of National Celebrate Pro Bono week October 23-28, 2023, the LSBA held its 10 th
annual Lawyers in Libraries event. The Access to Justice Program coordinated 95 attorneys
volunteering at 134 individual events at 51 different libraries throughout the state, as shown in the
map of events. Volunteer attorneys participated in “Ask-a-Lawyer” sessions, where patrons asked
legal questions to volunteer
attorneys either in person or by
phone. Daily educational webinars
were also broadcast on the Lawyers
in Libraries Facebook page on topics
of interest–Renters’ Rights, Divorce
& Custody, Estate Planning, What to
do after a Motor Vehicle Accident,
and Social Security Disability. Loyd
Bourgeois, who volunteered in St.
Charles Parish Library and for the
Social Security Disability presentation, was featured in a Law360 article highlighting the events
during National Pro Bono Week.

In an effort to resolve last-minute cancellations by attorneys, this year the Lawyers in Libraries
program instituted an On-Call List. This year, On-Call Volunteers helped reschedule 7 events,
helping ensure dozens of patrons were able to speak to attorneys about their legal issues.

Also, as part of Pro Bono Week, Entergy hosted a multi-state Free Legal Answers clinic.
Participating states included Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Attorneys from Entergy
and Phelps Dunbar participated in the Louisiana event where attorneys, paralegals, and support
staff worked together to answer a total of 30 questions.

2) Louisiana Justice Community Conference

The Access to Justice Program celebrated 20 years of the Louisiana Justice Community
Conference last week – recognizing LSBA Past President Marta-Ann Schnabel for her indelible
impact on ATJ and making the conference what it is today. This two-day conference brings
together 150 public interest attorneys, representing two dozen nonprofit and legal aid

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