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consumer law clinic at Tulane law school. Upon the request of a judge, the group has developed
automated self-help forms available via Louisiana Law Help: https://bit.ly/3x0N8hG.

ATJ Developing Leadership Intern Program

During the March 2015 Access to Justice Summit, participants concluded that cultivating the
next generation of access to justice leaders should not only be a priority but is necessary as
sensible succession planning to ensure continued efforts within Louisiana’s justice community.
In response, representatives of LSBA, LBF, Louisiana civil legal aid providers, Louisiana
District Judges Association, Louisiana law schools, the Louisiana Supreme Court, and the
private bar joined forces to create the ATJ Developing Leadership Intern Program. This new
initiative is a unique opportunity for law students to gain the insight and skills needed to become
the next generation of access to justice leaders. Ideally four students - one from each of
Louisiana’s four law schools - are chosen to participate in the program. Each student is
sponsored by an organization with a commitment to access to justice; the sponsors provide
guidance, mentorship, and a $3,000 stipend for the interns. Over a 6 week period, interns work
with civil legal aid programs, and weekly programming focuses on the various civil legal needs
of low-income people, the ways in which organizations within the justice community address
those needs, and how these services are increasing the quality of life for those served. Interns
gain hands-on experience with Louisiana’s civil legal aid and legal services organizations
including, but not limited to, interviewing clients, attending court hearings, and participating in
community outreach efforts. Additionally, interns have the opportunity to tour the Louisiana
Supreme Court and interact with appellate and trial court judges, both state and federal, who
have been actively involved in developing and supporting pro bono and access to justice efforts
throughout Louisiana.

This year’s ATJ Developing Leadership Intern program will begin on Monday, May 17th and end
after six weeks on Friday, June 25th. The program this year will host three interns, one from LSU
Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Southern University Law Center, and Tulane Law School. Initially
after losing two sponsors for the 2021 program the working group only planned to host two
students, but LSU came through to host a student for the program bringing this year’s total to
three students. The sponsors for the 2021 program include Entergy, LSU Paul M. Hebert Law
Center, and Phelps Dunbar, LLP. The program is still seeking two additional sponsors for the
2022 year.

ATJ Distinguished Fellows Program

On January 19, 2017, the ATJ Commission unanimously approved a motion to establish a
committee to explore the potential for creating an Access to Justice Distinguished Pro Bono
Fellows Program for retired judges and lawyers who wished to remain active in some pro bono
capacity during their retirement. To be eligible for consideration as a fellow, the applicant is
required to commit to performing at least 20 hours of work per month under the guidance,
direction and supervision of the host organization; to make a one-year commitment to the host
organization; and to have their own computer. In order to serve as a host organization, the
organization must commit to provide its fellow with meaningful work assignments during that