FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 10, 2005

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

SERIES ON JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FOCUS ON PRO SE LITIGATION REFORM

The second program of the American Judicature Society and Drake Law School Series on the Justice System will focus on the emerging pro se litigation reform movement in Iowa.

The recent Report of the Joint Iowa Judges Association and Iowa State Bar Association Task Force on Pro Se Litigation calls for developing a statewide approach to the growing numbers of pro se litigants representing themselves in an already overburdened state court system. This program will highlight the recommendations of task force’s report and how these recommendations might impact both lawyers and the courts.

The program, “Pro Se Litigation in Iowa,” will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the courtroom of the Drake Legal Clinic at the Neal and Bea Smith Law Center, 2400 University Ave. The program is free and open to the public.

Representatives of both bench and bar, including members of the Joint Task Force, will present a panel discussion of the benefits, concerns, and ethical issues arising from the report’s recommendations. Iowa District Court Judge Patrick Grady, co-chair, and Christine Luzzie of Iowa Legal Aid, will participate as representatives of the Joint Task Force. Panelists Iowa District Court Judge Robert Blink and Drake law professor Robert Rigg will offer “frontline” perspectives on the task force’s recommendations. Eve Ricaurte, pro se coordinator for Iowa Legal Aid, will provide information on pro se litigation efforts in other states.

This is the second program of the four-part AJS/Drake Law School Series on the Justice System. The third program, “The Jury and the American Litigation Process,” featuring David McCord, Drake law professor and director of the AJS National Jury Center, is set for Feb. 9, 2006. The final program of this inaugural series co-sponsored by AJS and Drake, “How the Media Impacts Judicial Independence and Accountability,” will be held Feb. 28, 2006. For more information, call (515) 271-2281.

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