Page 103 - 2021NovemberBOG

ACCESS TO JUSTICE REPORT NOVEMBER 2021

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. Only activities occurring since the last board meeting are
included in this report. Should you have any questions or require additional background on
any item, I am happy to provide that information.

ATJ Commission

Louisiana Justice For All Project
Alainna Mire, Steering Committee Chair
Following Hurricane Ida, the National Center for State Courts approved a pause and deadline
extension for the Louisiana Justice For All Project. While the project is paused, the JFA team
continues to move forward to complete actionable items including collecting survey responses
from residents in East Carroll and Concordia parishes, planning educational events for judges
and lawyers, building relationships with community leaders and partners in the areas targeted
for services, and access point analysis. Community listening sessions scheduled to take place
in early September 2021 have been rescheduled for the end of January 2022.

Funding Committee
Chris Ralston, Chair
The Funding Committee continues to prepare for the upcoming Legislative Session with the
goal being to secure $1 million in funding for civil legal services. In this effort, the group
recently met with Rep. Letlow’s staff and Rep. Jerome “Zee” Zeringue. Louisiana Appleseed
continues to lead the lobbying effort for the committee.

SRL Committee
Judge Jeffrey Cashe, Chair
The Self-Represented Litigants Committee has been working on priority activities identified
in the Committee’s strategic plan, which include Access to Justice training for Judges and
Court Staff; increase access points in civil legal deserts; and increase availability of court
forms. On August 26, 2021, the Self-Represented Litigants Committee co-hosted a planning
summit with the Technology Committee to coordinate overlapping projects and initiatives,
including the court forms project. During this summit, members of both Committees voted to
approve a formal process for identifying, automating, and testing court forms. Additionally,
the Committee helped organize a CLE with the Judicial College on eviction moratoriums,
Emergency Rental Assistance Programs, and eviction diversion, which was held in September
in conjunction with Hurricane Ida Disaster Response trainings. Members of the Committee