Discussion Groups provide an in-depth discussion of a topic by a small group of invited discussants selected in advance by the Annual Meeting Program Committee. In addition to the invited discussants, additional discussants were selected through a Call for Participation. There will be limited seating for audience members to observe the discussion groups on a first-come, first-served basis.
This session discusses
implementing key ABA initiatives to produce competent, skilled lawyers ready to
serve the underserved. For justice to be accessible, lawyers must perform their
role in a cost-effective manner, and law students must understand the nature of
the legal and societal problems to effectively meet the need for professional
services. Most programs look at access to justice from the client
perspective—how to get clients to the resources from which they could get help.
We focus on training lawyers who are ready to provide affordable, meaningful
legal service to the underserved through simulation, clinic experience, and a
philosophy of servant leadership. This approach integrates technology and
innovation. Many law schools struggle to meet the technological competence,
practice readiness, and access to justice requirements of the ABA; this program
provides a template for accomplishing all three benchmarks. This session
provides a meaningful toolkit for change. Discussion will center on the
development of courses, integration between departments, and post-graduate
training producing lawyers ready to serve the public. The panel will address
the challenges of moving from traditional teaching modes to more usable
products which indigent clients may need. The panel will address integrating
written product with innovative programming.