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The Committee is also continuing to expand the Civil Legal Navigator’s employment law and
name and gender marker change modules. The Navigator is an online software that guides
members of the public through basic questions to match them with the most appropriate legal
resources for their particular issue.

The Committee is collaborating with the Supreme Court Technology Commission and the
Suffolk University Law School to adopt a document automation system created by the law
school students. The in forma pauperis form is automated and ready for feedback. If possible,
the document automation system will be rolled into the Civil Legal Navigator.

Finally, the Committee hosted a Technology Planning Summit on March 23 which brought
together civil legal aid stakeholders to discuss public-facing tech solutions as well as internal
procedures that can streamline workflow.

Access to Justice Committee

Disaster Response Subcommittee remains essential to coordination of civil legal aid
response as Louisiana faces natural disasters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ann Gregorie, Chair

Pandemic Response
The ATJ Committee’s Disaster Response Subcommittee has been active since the beginning
of March 2020 when the pandemic began. The Subcommittee coordinates the ABA/YLD
Disaster response hotline, maintains a disaster manual for attorney volunteers, and provides an
avenue of communication for all parties involved in disaster response.

COVID-19 provided a disaster challenge unlike before, requiring a response unique to those
established after a natural disaster such as a hurricane. The Federal Declaration of Disaster for
COVID-19 did not include legal services, meaning that the ABA/YLD hotline was not
activated in response to the pandemic. Instead, the subcommittee acted as a line of
communication for legal services and pro bono providers, who established outreach efforts
related to legal issues surrounding the pandemic, such as evictions, employment issues, and
domestic violence issues.

Hurricanes Laura & Delta
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The ABA/YLD hotline was activated on September 7 following the Declaration of Disaster
related to Hurricane Laura and continued its operation after Hurricane Delta. The hotline
currently provides a recorded message referring callers to Acadiana Legal Service Corporation
as well as the LSBA Find Legal Help Page for legal assistance and information. The LSBA’s
Disaster Response site (www.lsba.org/dr) was activated as well, providing a resource for
attorneys affected by the storm and those wanting to volunteer. To encourage attorney
volunteers, a FEMA appeals training was hosted by Southeast Louisiana Legal Services staff.
LSBA staff facilitated and recorded the training for further use.

The pandemic affected Hurricane Laura & Delta relief efforts as the subcommittee shifted to
comply with COVID restrictions, which prevented the opening of disaster response centers
(DRCs). Instead, evacuees and those displaced have been sheltered in hotels. The
subcommittee has coordinated with FEMA and Red Cross workers to provide flyers and virtual
outreach to those affected by the storm, instead of in-person volunteers. As the subcommittee