ASSURING EQUAL Justice for All is this year’s theme set by the American Bar Association for celebrations of Law Day across the nation. I think the Law Journal had a terrific idea in challenging contributors to this special supplement to identify one concrete step that can and should be taken to make the legal system more accessible to the public. Let’s face it: it’s easy to wax eloquent about our bedrock ideal of equal justice, but much harder to identify – and then to take – concrete steps to achieve that ideal.
I would like to exercise a Chief Judge-ly privilege and suggest not one but two steps that would make the system more accessible to the public: increased pro bono service, and more effective self representation. Actually, the two go hand in glove. When unable to secure pro bono counsel, many must represent themselves. By the same token, many wishing to represent themselves, but are frustrated in doing so, seek pro bono counsel.
