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Language Access Committee, Chair Professor Luz Molina

This committee works to support the ongoing efforts of the Louisiana Supreme Court’s Office of
Language Access and to expand efforts to ensure litigants in Louisiana’s court are not denied due
process because of an inability to communicate with court personnel. The Committee developed
a revised Attorneys’ Reference Guide for engaging interpreters, to give attorneys information
about using interpreters in legal matters. Two surveys have been conducted to learn more about
interpreters’ and attorneys’ experiences in the court system. Volunteer attorneys completed a
review of language access approaches used in select states. Using this review as well as survey
data, the Committee identified best practices. The Committee and members individually have
worked closely with the Deputy Judicial Administrator for the Office of Language Access on a
memorandum of agreement between the Louisiana Supreme Court and Department of Justice.
The development of a statewide Language Access Plan is part of the MOA. The Committee
continues to support the implementation of the Language Access Plan where possible. Most
recently, the Committee drafted a brochure for requesting interpreter services from the court,
which is being provided to courthouses in 6 languages--English, Spanish, French, Vietnamese,
Arabic, and Mandarin. This Committee is also partnering with the Office of Language Access to
revise court rules and state law to comply with the Language Access Plan.

Modest Means Committee, Chair Virginia Listach

In 2016, Commission members unanimously agreed to form the Modest Means Committee,
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 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’ profile 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 6,500 application requests have been submitted to view the Directory since
April 2018.

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,