Page 105 - 2021NovemberBOG

Access to Justice Committee

Hurricane Ida Response
Ann Gregorie, Chair
The ATJ Committee’s Disaster Response Subcommittee has met since prior to the occurrence
of Hurricane Ida. These meeting prove beneficial for coordinated response amongst
participants. The ATJ staff manages the ABA/YLD hotline that was activated in response to
the Federal declaration of a disaster. New to this disaster, this hotline number is being directed
to Southeast LA Legal Services (SLLS) to ensure the most vulnerable disaster survivors are
routed to SLLS as quickly as possible. Those callers who do not qualify will be put into a
google spreadsheet and have their calls returned by volunteer attorneys who will provide brief
legal information and advice pertaining to their legal issue. The subcommittee has also
sponsored CLE sessions for volunteer attorneys and is assisting with upcoming volunteer
events for low-income survivors of Hurricane Ida.

Probono.net/la to be utilized as central resource for coordinating pro bono response to
Hurricane Ida
Several disaster law trainings are currently available within the library on probono.net/la/ .
These trainings include: The Emergency/Disaster Training Manual for Volunteers, the LSBA
leadership class trainings from April 2021 covering evictions and small successions, and the
September 2021 trainings covering FEMA applications/appeals, insurance claims, and an
eviction training for judges.

Other Access to Justice Department Projects:

Louisiana Justice Community Conference and Justice Fridays
On October 14 and 15, the Louisiana State Bar Association hosted the Louisiana Justice
Community Conference (LJCC). The event was held virtually again this year and brought
together civil legal aid attorneys and staff members from non-profit organizations across the
state to have discourse on relevant poverty law issues which are not often taught in for-profit
training. The ATJ Program continues to plan the 15 hours of CLE sessions, originally
scheduled to be held in person, over several Fridays through our newly launched Justice
Fridays series, offering online public interest training scheduled for October 22, November 5,
and November 12. ATJ plans to continue this series throughout the year and as needed by the
committees and justice community.

Lawyers in Libraries Statewide Week of Service
“Lawyers in Libraries” events bring pro bono attorneys into libraries to provide limited
services. Events are held throughout the year but culminate in the annual week of service held
in October in conjunction with National Celebrate Pro Bono Week. This year, the LSBA
statewide week of service and all Lawyers in Libraries events will be held on October 25-30,
2021. Over 140 events are currently scheduled with over 90 lawyers registered to volunteer in
62 library branches across the state and virtually to host in-person "Ask-a-Lawyer"
consultations and legal workshops on specific legal issues. Additionally, virtual webinars
covering important, timely legal topics will broadcast daily during the week via our “LSBA
Louisiana Lawyers in Libraries” Facebook page. ATJ staff provide logistical support and
resources via www.LouisianaLawyersinLibraries.org.