Name: Building Connected Ecosystems of Resources for Self-Represented Litigants: Maryland and Illinois
Start: 2024-09-20T11:05:00-0600
End: 2024-09-20T12:20:00-0600

Friday September 20, 2024 11:05am - 12:20pm MDT

TBA

This presentation will explore the multifaceted ecosystem of services available to self-represented litigants in Illinois and Maryland. Informed by the Illinois Supreme Court’s “Safe Harbor Policy”, self-represented litigants in Illinois can tap into innovative services within and outside courts, including the Court Navigator Network, Illinois JusticeCorps, Illinois Court Help, and access centers located within public libraries. These services ensure that individuals without lawyers, in every corner of the state, can access vital legal information and resources to help them meaningfully navigate the civil justice system. It will also review the Maryland Court Help Centers where litigants can connect with attorneys in person, by phone, through online chat, or at video kiosks in courthouses for advice and resources. One such resource is the Justice Passport, which connects litigants with appropriate legal services agencies without the necessity of multiple interviews. This session will describe how these services got off the ground, outline the collaboration that makes these programs successful, and highlight how these programs can also be scaled in your state.

Speakers

Jill Roberts

Deputy Director, Access to Justice Division, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts

Jill Roberts is the Deputy Director of the Access to Justice Division at the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts. She facilitates and coordinates statewide efforts to promote meaningful access to the Illinois courts to meet the needs of litigants appearing in court without attorneys... Read More →

Lindsay Bramble

Deputy Director for Remote Services, Maryland Center for Legal Assistance

Lindsay is the Deputy Director for Remote Services at the Maryland Center for Legal Assistance. In this role, she oversees the Maryland Court Help Center Remote Services Center where she and her staff provide brief advice to self-represented litigants via phone, online chat, and video... Read More →

Roya Samarghandi

Associate Director of Advocacy, Innovation & Train, The Chicago Bar Foundation

Roya Samarghandi is the CBF’s Associate Director of Advocacy, Innovation, & Training. Roya plays a key role in the CBF’s mission through her work on legislative and policy advocacy, innovation initiatives, and the CBF Legal Aid Academy.An alumna of the JEP, Roya owned and ran... Read More →