This course will introduce students to the role of lawyers in ensuring access to justice. It will explore the access to justice movement in the United States and examine the history, policies, and laws related to access to the courts and legal services. The course will consider the reasons why access to civil and criminal courts is limited, including barriers created by race, gender, poverty, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disabilities. The course will survey the various ways limited access has been addressed and identify ongoing gaps to access. Students will become familiar with the Model Rules of Professional Conduct with respect to a lawyer's duty to ensure access to justice and the competent representation of clients. Topics will include the history of the right to counsel and the provision of legal services to under-represented communities, innovations in legal services, and the role of technology in access to justice. C.
