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from the court. Most recently, the Committee began providing input for identified revisions of
court rules and state law regarding interpreter qualifications to comply with the Language Access
Plan.

Modest Means Committee, Chair Virginia Listach
The Modest Means Committee is tasked with addressing the limited access to legal representation
for persons falling just above the income eligibility requirements for free legal services, but priced
out of traditional market rate legal services. To increase access to legal representation for the more
than 1.3 million individuals considered modest means in Louisiana, the Committee created an
online legal directory that lists attorneys who offer reduced-cost legal services - ranging from $75-
$150 per hour (or the flat fee equivalent) - to people falling at or below 400% of the Federal
Poverty Line. Those who are income eligible may view the attorneys’ profiles and contact him or
her directly to inquire about legal services at the reduced rate.

In creating the Directory, the Modest Means Committee surveyed LSBA members and found that
a high percentage were offering affordable legal services to people falling at or below 400% of the
Federal Poverty Line. In order to join the Directory, attorneys must complete a CLE, fill out a brief
service that identifies the types of affordable legal options the attorney offers to people who fall
below 400% of the FPL, and fill out an online application. To date, 70 attorneys are listed, covering
16 practice areas and 64 parishes. Nearly 10,000 application requests have been submitted to view
the Directory since April 2018.

The Committee also develops resources to assist attorneys in sustainably offering affordable legal
services. Such resources include the Limited Scope Representation Toolkit, which provides best
practices, guides, sample letters and forms for attorneys who agree to represent a client for part of
but not all of their case.

Self-Represented Litigants/Uniform Form Committee, Chair Judge Jeffrey Cashe
This Committee fosters efforts that support self-represented litigants by working with the judiciary,
local pro bono and legal aid organizations, clerks of court, statewide technology personnel, and
other justice community stakeholders on the implementation of locally appropriate self-help
initiatives. This includes the creation of standardized forms and template resources, referral
information, and ongoing support for local self-help centers. Most recently, the Committee has
been working on three main initiatives: hosting annual access to justice training for judges and
court staff; increasing the availability of civil legal access points in civil legal deserts; and creating
additional plain language forms and instructions. The Committee continues to work with the ATJ
Commission’s Technology Committee and the Supreme Court’s Technology Commission on these
various initiatives, and together, they have recently released automated forms for 103 Divorces
and Adult Name Change.

Court-Based Self-Help Services
The Louisiana network of self-represented litigant services continues to expand statewide.
Over half the judicial districts in the state have partnered with the Access to Justice
Department to develop forms and other self-help resources, including “live” self-help

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