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January 12, 2007

January 12, 2007
Minutes

Present: Connie Talmage, Diana Poole, JoAnn Vogt, Fred Baumann, Dan Taubman, Gregory Hobbs, John Zakhem, Jon Asher, Ilene Bloom, Janet Price, Simon Mole; By phone: Mary Ann Corey, Angela Arkin, Barry Iuppa, Bill Alexander, Inga Causey

Staff: Kathleen Schoen, Cheryl Law, Greg Martin, Monique Westfall

Meeting was called to order at approximately 12:05pm.

The Commission approved the minutes of the November 10th meeting.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS: Connie Talmage introduced new Commission members: Janet Price, Inga Causey, and Simon Mole.

CHAIR’S REPORT:

  • Nominations for Colorado Bar Association Pro Bono Awards: Connie Talmage distributed information about the Colorado Bar Association Pro Bono Awards and encouraged Commission members to send in nominations for these awards.  Dan Taubman will distribute to local Access to Justice committees.
  • Business Law Clinic at University of Denver School of Law: The Commission agreed to review, pursuant to the Access to Justice Commission’s by-laws, the request of University of Denver law students to endorse their business law clinic Connie Talmage will notify the law students of the Commission’s decision.
  • Future meeting dates: Next meeting will be March 2, 2007.  At that meeting, the Commission will discuss a consistent time and date for Commission meetings.
  • New members’ participation on Access to Justice committees: Connie Talmage encouraged new Commission members to select an Access to Justice committee to attend and let her know their choice.
  • New committee members:  Connie Talmage requested members to suggest to her people who might be good committee participants.

EQUAL JUSTICE CONFERENCE (EJC):

  • Connie Talmage encouraged a strong show of support from the Access to Justice Commission at the Equal Justice Conference.  She encouraged people to attend.  She noted that the Commission had funds for scholarships.  Dan Taubman planned to send information about the scholarships to the local committees. If Commissioners wanted or knew of someone who could use a scholarship they needed to contact Kath Schoen by January 31, 2007 [the deadline was subsequently extended to February 2, 2007].   Connie Talmage requested that anyone in the Denver metropolitan area who was willing to provide a “guest room” for someone outside the metropolitan area to attend needed to contact her by Jan. 31, 2007.
  • Discussion about giving the EJC a local flavor with possibly a keynote speaker or a presentation:  Kath Schoen contacted the American Bar Association about having someone local provide a welcoming speech at the conference, but she had not received a response.  She will try again.  JoAnn Vogt and Dave Butler offered to put together written material to be handed out at the conference and the Access to Justice Chairs meeting.
  • At the next Access to Justice Commission meeting, members will discuss what conference sessions people intend to attend in an effort to cover as many pertinent sessions as possible.
  • Dan Taubman reported that he is participating on a panel: Growing and Facilitating a Pro Bono Culture.
  • Discussion about increasing public awareness about the EJC, including sending press releases.  Connie Talmage tasked Kath Schoen with contacting the Colorado Bar Association Public Relations Department about generating more public awareness.
  • Equal Justice Conference Dessert and Dance party, hosted by Colorado Bar Association, will be held at Seawell Ballroom on Friday, March 23rd at 7:30 pm.
  • Fred Baumann offered to host a reception at his firm, Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP, for Colorado Access to Justice attendees on the evening of March 23.  More information will be forthcoming.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

AD HOC COMMITTEE: Justice Gregory Hobbs reported:

  • In the State of the Judiciary speech Chief Justice Mullarkey requested funding in the next five years for 26 new judges and 6 new Court of Appeals judges.
  • Pro Bono Recognition Program: The deadline to report compliance with the law firm pro bono pledge is Feb. 15, 2007.
  • Justice Hobbs distributed a letter from the American Bar Association regarding limited licensure for retired and inactive attorneys to handle pro bono cases and suggested Colorado may want to follow suit.  The Ad Hoc Committee will need to collaborate with Board of Law Examiners and others to ensure congruency.  JoAnn Vogt volunteered to work with the Ad Hoc Committee on this issue.  Monique Westfall has started researching the issue for the Colorado Bar Association Availability of Legal Services and will work with the committee on this issue.

COURTHOUSE COMMITTEE: Hon. Barney Iuppa reported:

  • Chief Justice Directive for interpreters for indigent parties in civil cases was signed on November 20, 2006.  It needs to be disseminated.
  • The Committee is exploring courthouse signage issues.
  • Forms on the court web pages have been updated and are now available in both English and Spanish.
  • Barney Iuppa inquired about the status of waiving Lexis e-filing fees for indigent civil cases; Justice Hobbs will follow up.
  • Some members inquired as to whether the Court of Appeals is appropriately waiving fees for Colorado Legal Services clients.  Greg Hobbs will follow up.  Therefore, the fee is also waived in the appellate courts. Justice Hobbs will follow up.
  • Simon Mole joined the Courthouse Committee.
  • Next Committee meeting will be by phone on February 26, 2007.

LOCAL ATJ SUPPORT: Hon. Dan Taubman reporting:

  • Judge Popovich (17th Judicial District) has agreed to spearhead a local ATJ committee.
  • Bob and Doris Truhlar (18th Judicial District) have agreed to spearhead a local ATJ committee.
  • Lynne Sholler (6th Judicial District) is in contact with someone in the 22nd Judicial District (Cortez) about forming a local committee.
  • Lynne Sholler has completed the Access to Justice video “Know Your Rights” in both English and Spanish; distribution to all local Access to Justice committees to follow. 
  • Denver Bar Association Board of Trustees has approved the Denver Bar Association Legal Services Committee being the local Access to Justice committee for the 2nd Judicial District.  The Denver Bar Association Legal Services Committee is discussing changing its name to Access to Justice Committee for the 2nd Judicial District.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Ilene Bloom reported:

  • Meeting with public relations & marketing professionals to promote Access to Justice is being scheduled.

RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT: Fred Baumann reported:

  • On January 30th, Fred Baumann, Connie Talmage, and Jon Asher are meeting with Chief Justice Mullarkey to discuss a strategy to increase funding for legal services for the poor and vulnerable populations of Colorado.
  • Fred Baumann is working with DBA lobbyist Michael Valdez to develop legislation that will increase funding for legal services for the poor and vulnerable populations of Colorado.
  • A comparison of Colorado funding for legal services to other states’ funding is due next week.

OTHER BUSINESS

  • State Equal Justice Act – California has drafted a “Civil Gideon” proposal and there ensued a discussion as to whether Colorado should follow suit.  The Commission decided to follow the progress of California’s bill.  Ilene Bloom offered to continue to collect information on the subject.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:35pm.
Next meeting: March 2, 2007 at 12pm