Page 208 - 2021bogOrientationManual

this committee hosted a Planning Session, during which members identified three priority
activities: pursue a strategy for including an annual mandatory access to justice training for
judges and court staff; increase the availability of civil legal access points in civil legal deserts;
and create 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.

Self-Represented Litigant Service Provider Summit

In 2020, the SRL Committee hosted a statewide summit for court staff and self-help center
administrators. The Summit covered a wide range of topics relevant to meeting the public’s legal
needs, including legal aid partnerships, technology in courts, self-help resources, pro bono
recruitment, services for domestic violence victims, and much more. Attendees learned about
service and resource best practices, and also worked to identify systemic issues and potential
resources for the Commission to consider. The SRL Committee is planning another summit and
training opportunities in 2021.

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 centers coordinated by
legal aid organizations and local bar associations and online customized self-help websites
created and administered by the LSBA.

Louisiana SRL Services Networks

(Launched in partnership with individual judicial districts)

“LIVE” Self Help Centers (created in partnership with the LSBA and run locally)
9th JDC (Rapides) – administered by Central Louisiana Pro Bono Project
14th JDC (Calcasieu) – administered by Southwest Louisiana Bar Foundation
17th JDC (Lafourche) – administered by Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
19th JDC (East Baton Rouge) – administered by the Baton Rouge Bar Association
22nd JDC (St. Tammany, Washington) – administered by Southeast Louisiana
Legal Services
23rd JDC (Assumption) – administered by local volunteers
24th JDC (Jefferson) – administered by The Pro Bono Project
29th JDC (St. Charles) – administered by Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
32nd JDC (Terrebonne) – administered by Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
41st JDC (Orleans) – administered by The Pro Bono Project
Current SRL Websites with Court Approved Forms (administered by the LSBA)
4th JDC (Ouachita, Morehouse)
9th JDC (Rapides)