COMMISSION CO-CHAIR RALPH D. GANTS TO BE NEXT SJC CHIEF JUSTICE
Governor Deval Patrick has nominated Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Ralph D. Gants to become the next Chief Justice of the Court. The nomination must be confirmed by the Governor’s Council. Justice Gants will succeed Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, who submitted his resignation effective July 25 because he is approaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
The Justices of the SJC appointed Justice Gants co-chair of the Access to Justice Commission when the Commission was reconstituted in February 2010. He has joined co-chair David Rosenberg in leading the Commission to take on dozens of projects. See www.massa2j.org. At the end of 2014 the Commission is due for a sunset review by the justices.
MLAC APPROPRIATION REQUEST FACING DIFFICULTY
For FY 2015, the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation requested the Governor and the Legislature to provide a $4 million increase to $17 million. When the Governor submitted his budget it contained $14 million for MLAC; the House budget, which appeared earlier this month, included only level funding at $13 million.
Representative Ruth Balser has submitted an amendment that would raise the appropriation to the full $17 million. Dozens of co-sponsors have already signed on, and MLAC is urging other representatives to join the Balzer amendment as co-sponsors.
On behalf of the Access to Justice Commission, Co-Chair David Rosenberg has written to House Speaker Robert DeLeo in support of a $17 million appropriation. In his letter Rosenberg points out that civil legal aid programs have exhausted their reserves and will be laying off experienced staff if level funding is the final result. In addition, MLAC research demonstrates that investing in civil legal aid services if a good use of state funds, returning more dollars to the state than the cost of the services.
COMMISSION IMPROVES WEBSITE
The Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission has revamped its website. The new website is found at www.massa2j.org and features easy-to-use menus that guide the visitor to Commission history, current events, Commission proposals and access to justice updates. The Commission plans to make its website a place to which the broader access to justice community can turn for ideas, projects and information.
The new website was developed by Commissioner Lee Glickenhaus. The Commission would welcome suggestions for additional content and invites you to send us names of people who would like to receive our periodic updates. Send comments and names to gerrysings@aol.com.
SECOND ANNUAL POVERTY LAW CONFERENCE MAY 12, 2014
“Eradication of Poverty and Access to Justice” is the title of the Second Annual Massachusetts Legal Services Conference, which takes place at MCLE on May 12. This unique gathering of legal services advocates, bar leaders, and pro bono lawyers also includes members of the judiciary, workers for social service organizations and other nonlawyer advocates, and others who are part of the access to justice community. Register at http://mcle.org/product/catalog/code/2140228P01 . The cost is $25 for legal services and other advocates and pro bono volunteers, $95 for general admission. You can also attend by live webcast. A conference brochure is attached to this Update.
NEXT COMMISSION MEETING MAY 22 AT 3:00 AT THE ADAMS COURTHOUSE
The next meeting of the Commission will take place at 3:00 at the fifth floor conference room of the Social Law Library.