Access to Justice Fee
The addition of the $51 Access to Justice Fee to the annual registration fee for attorneys has been implemented effective September 1. Attorneys are given the option of opting out of paying the fee and whether an attorney opts out is kept confidential.
Language Access Plans
The Executive Office for Administration and Finance issued Language Access Guidelines to guide executive
branch agencies in their development of Language Access Plans to meet the needs of limited English proficient
individuals. The agencies have until November 28 to develop their plans. See ANH Administrative Bulletin
#16. http://www.mass.gov/? pageID=afterminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Budget,+Taxes+%26+Procurement&L2=Administrative+Bulletins&sid=Eoaf&b=terminalcontent&f=anf_adminbulleti
MBF Grants
The Massachusetts Bar Foundation has awarded $4.5 million in IOLTA grant funding to 97 organizations for 2010‐2011. Because the MBF held significant amounts of funding in reserve in prior years, this year’s grant total was only cut 10%.
Housing Court Adopts Limited Assistance Representation
The Chief Justice for Administration and Management has approved the request of the Housing Court, and issued a standing order instituting a program for limited assistance representation. It will take effect November
1. http://www.mass.gov/courts/housing‐standing‐order1‐10.html MCLE is offering a training in limited assistance representation today (September 28).
Nationally, Civil Legal Services Salaries Lowest in Public Sector
The National Association of Law Placement’s 2010 Public Sector and Public Interest Attorney Salary Report shows first year law firm associates earning median salaries between $72,000 and $160,000 depending on firm size while Public Interest lawyer medians range from $42,000 (civil legal services) to $50,000 (local prosecuting attorneys). www.nalp.org/assoc_pi_sal2010
Legal Services Corporation
FY 2011: The Federal fiscal year begins on Friday (October 1) but appropriations bills are stalled. Once again, Congress will have to pass a continuing resolution to fund agencies including LSC. LSC’s FY 2010 appropriation was $420 million. The House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees LSC funding has approved $40 million and would lift the class action restriction. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $430 and continues restrictions on LSC funds but lifts their application to non‐LSC funds in most instances.
The Senate proposal also bars even the $10 million increase until the LSC Board Chair and President certify that LSC has completed implementation of recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office and the LSC Inspector General. These recommendations concern internal control procedures at LSC. Because of the turmoil around LSC’s internal controls (including planning and follow‐up of grant oversight procedures) LSC has convened an independent, “blue‐ribbon” Fiscal Oversight Task Force. The Task Force will gather information, deliberate and issue recommendations by March 1, 2011.
FY 2012: The LSC Board on September 21 voted to request $516.5 million for FY 2012, the same level that they sought last year.
Recent Activities of Other Access to Justice Commissions
The ABA supports the Access to Justice Support Project, which publishes newsletters providing information about the activities of Commissions and similar entities around the country. To review these updates or to subscribe to the newsletters (free), go to www.ATJsupport.org.
Among recently reported activities:
Governor addresses annual Access to Justice and Bar Leaders Conference in Washington state.
250 attended Hawaii’s annual Access to Justice Summit.
Larry Tribe declares civil justice system in crisis and plans work on LSC funding and restrictions.
The American Medical Association joined the American Bar Association in adopting a resolution encouraging
formation of more medical‐legal partnerships. Legislation to that end was introduced in Congress.
The Tennessee Supreme Court has adopted four goals recommended by the Tennessee Access to Justice
Commission and will convene a statewide pro bono conference to further the goals. Civil Gideon
The ABA adopted a Model Access Act and a related Basic Principles of a Right to Counsel in Civil Legal Proceedings during it annual meeting in August. These documents carry forward the ABA’s 2006 commitment to seek a right to counsel in basic areas of human need.