Innovations In Pro Se Litigation Tools: What's the Goal?

Innovations in Pro Se Litigation Tools NLADA Annual Conference Washington DC November 21, 2008

What’s the Goal? “ It’s about the client”

Myths
Clients are not tech savvy
Self help always means second rate
Flaws for some means unacceptable for all

The Three S’s
Simplicity
Plain Language
User Friendly
“ TurboTax, not McLaw”

The Three S’s
Suitability
Not meant for all types of cases
No = domestic violence divorce with allegations of child abuse and contested division of military pension
Yes = driver’s license restoration, misdemeanor expungement, uncontested visitation change
Assess individual client circumstances

The Three S’s
Success in the real world
Court and bar buy-in
Cost effective
On going evaluation and improvement
Client focus groups
Law students to observe hearings
Regular sampling of court files
Data tracking

Challenges
It’s happening anyway
Nolo Press, Findlaw, form books
Fee for service web sites
Quality concerns
Second-tier justice
Unintended consequences

Challenges
Court & Bar resistance
Outdated rules and procedures
Inefficient/obscure forms
Financial concerns
Assisted pro se / Unbundled services

Challenges
Multi-cultural issues
Cultural literacy
Ethnic and racial diversity
Multi-lingual and LEP clients
Digital Divide
Walk-in centers
Assisted pro se

The Bottom Line
What’s the Question?
Full representation v. limited pro se
Limited pro se v. nothing at all

Thanks!
Ed Marks, Litigation Director,
Legal Aid of Western Ohio
(419) 930-2534 [email_address]

Innovations In Pro Se Litigation Tools: What's the Goal?

by Legal Services National Technology Assistance Project (LSNTAP) on Dec 12, 2008

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Innovations In Pro Se Litigation Tools: What’s the Goal? — Presentation Transcript