Page 256 - 2019 Orientation Manual

The ATJ Policy Committee

After many years of successful activities, LSBA leadership conducted an assessment of the ATJ
Committee’s work, effectiveness, structure and policy development, and found the ATJ
Committee to function effectively. In 2009, to complement a national trend, the Bar made a
structural change to allow for the most effective policy development and meaningful interaction
with Bar by creating a 20 member ATJ Policy Committee to oversee the work of ATJ
subcommittees, and to strengthen ties to the private bar and judiciary. While the ATJ Committee
was comprised primarily of individuals providing direct delivery of services and focused on the
interworking of those organizations; this new ATJ Policy Committee ensured diverse
representation from a cross-section of those involved in these issues, including the LSBA, LBF,
Court, public interest firms, pro bono, Louisiana Civil Justice Center, etc. The ATJ Policy
Committee met regularly to guide the activities of the ATJ Committee, determine ATJ Committee
policy and assess impact. The work of the ATJ Policy Committee members was meant to guide
the forces of the ATJ Committee while ensuring the quality of the committee’s work. The ATJ
Policy Committee existed 2010 to June of 2015 when it was superseded by the ATJ Commission.

The ATJ Commission

As access to justice issues became more critical and began to have broader impact nationwide, the
ABA encouraged states to formed entities similar to the LSBA Policy Committee, including
prominent stakeholders and calling these groups Access to Justice Commissions. These were
cooperative endeavors among state supreme courts, state bar associations, IOLTA entities, law
schools, business organization and some faith-based entities to focus jointly on identified justice
problems in their state. Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson expressed an interest in forming a
commission and after consideration at a summit of stakeholders, Chief Justice signed an order on
September 17, 2015 creating the Louisiana ATJ Commission. The Louisiana Access to Justice
Commission is a standing committee of the LSBA. The mission of the 21 member ATJ
Commission, as stated in the order, “is to assure continuity of policy and purpose in the
collaboration between the private bar, the courts, and the civil justice community so as to further
the goal of assuring that Louisianans, regardless of their economic circumstance, have access to
equal justice under the law.” The Commission held its first meeting at the Supreme Court on
January 8, 2016 and established the following six committees: Building Bridges, Funding, In
Forma Pauperis, Language Access, Modest Means and SRL/Uniform Forms. Since that time the
In Forma Pauperis Committee has become an ATJ Committee Subcommittee and a Technology
Committee was created.

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