Location:
A joint event from the Administrative Conference of the United States and Legal Services Corporation
Millions of people each year navigate adjudication processes to access critical benefits and services administered by federal agencies or provided under federal programs. According to the Justice Gap study published by LSC earlier this year, 92% of the substantial legal problems facing low-income Americans—including problems accessing federally administered benefits—receive no or inadequate legal assistance. This public forum, which will feature multiple panel presentations over the next several months, will examine ways to improve support for parties in adjudication processes in which they are frequently self-represented.
Panel 1: Expanding Access to Representation
December 6, 2022 – 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET (Virtual)
This panel examined why many parties, especially members of historically underserved communities, do not have professional representation and address whether and how self-representation impacts procedural fairness, substantive outcomes, and administrative efficiency. Panelists addressed potential strategies that public- and private-sector institutions can implement to expand access to representation in federal adjudication processes and challenges for implementing them.
To watch a recording of the panel discussion, click here.
Remarks:
- Ronald Flagg, President, LSC
Panelists:
- Nancy Griswold, Deputy Director, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, U.S. Department of Labor
- Deedee Peterson, Executive Director, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc.
- Richard Prebil, Supervising Attorney, Veterans Advocacy Project at Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania
- Ashley Tabaddor, Chief Counsel, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Moderator:
- Jeremy Graboyes, Research Director, ACUS
Panel 2: Promoting Effective Representation
May 11, 2023 – 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET (Virtual)
Legal aid attorneys shared their best practices for training staff and pro bono attorneys to assist low-income clients with applications for or appeals involving federal benefits, and government leaders discussed training and professional development opportunities their agencies provide to help less experienced advocates represent their clients’ interests effectively.
To watch a recording of the panel discussion, click here.
Remarks:
- Andrew Fois, Chair, ACUS
Panelists:
- Kristen Dama, Managing Attorney, SSI Unit and Medical-Legal Partnership, Community Services of Philadelphia
- Janet Gongola, Vice Chief Judge for Engagement, Patent Trial and Appeal Board, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Lauren Alder Reid, Assistant Director, Office of Policy, Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Justice
- Robyn Smith, Senior Attorney, Economic Stability Group, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Moderator:
- Stefanie Davis, Senior Associate General Counsel for Regulations and Ethics Officer, Legal Services Corporation
Panel 3: Expanding Access for Self-Represented Parties
June 27, 2023 – 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET (Virtual)
This panel will address ways that agencies can assist self-represented parties. It will examine strategies such as using navigators; developing self-help materials; training agency personnel to actively assist self-represented parties before, during, and after hearings; designing written materials and procedures so that parties can more effectively use them without the aid of a professional representative; using technologies to improve service to self-represented parties; and soliciting feedback from parties about areas for improvement.
To watch a recording of the panel, click here.
Remarks:
- Stefanie Davis, Senior Associate General Counsel for Regulations and Ethics Officer, Legal Services Corporation
- Jeremy Graboyes, Research Director, ACUS
Panelists:
- Katherine Alteneder, Consulting Senior Strategic Advisor, Self-Represented Litigation Network
- David Bonebrake, Deputy Director, Office of Program Performance, Legal Services Corporation
- Tamara A. Borland, Taxpayer Advocate Service, Internal Revenue Service
- Allie Yang-Green, Executive Director, White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (Office for Access to Justice, Department of Justice)
Moderator:
- Eloise Pasachoff, Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Law; Anne Fleming Research Professor, Georgetown University Law Center
Panel 4: Improving Administrative Systems
December 7, 2023 – 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET (Virtual)
This panel will focus on the drivers of system-wide reforms that make administrative proceedings more accessible to the public. Hear from state government officials and their private partners who have restructured Michigan's benefits applications to be more justice-centered and user-friendly, as well as federal and international leaders on how simplifying administrative systems can benefit both applicants and government agencies.
To watch a recording of the panel discussion, click here.
Remarks:
- Andrew Fois, Chair, ACUS
Panelists:
- Paul Aterman, Former Chairperson, Social Security Tribunal of Canada
- Sam Brennan, Interim Design Director, Civilla
- Charlie Gillig, Senior Counsel, Office for Access to Justice, U.S. Department of Justice
- Lew Roubal, Chief Deputy Director for Opportunity, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Moderator:
- Ronald Flagg, President, LSC