Justice Melissa Hart highlights need for more than pro bono work to improve access to legal assistance in Colorado
Justice Melissa Hart discussed Colorado's efforts to improve access to legal assistance for unrepresented litigants. She emphasized that simply increasing pro bono work will not meet the demand for legal help, highlighting the need for additional solutions.
In June, Colorado introduced licensed legal paraprofessionals (LLPs) to assist in family law cases, where many individuals lack representation. This program aims to provide affordable legal services, with 59 LLPs now able to practice under specific limitations.
Hart noted that while LLPs cannot represent clients in court, they can offer significant support outside the courtroom. The state is also exploring other initiatives, including new funding for legal aid and virtual clinics for rural residents, to address the access to justice gap.