$Account.OrganizationName
The HALT eJournal
An Organization of Americans For Legal Reform
 January 16, 2007
 
Dear Member,

Welcome to HALT's eJournal, a bimonthly newsletter featuring updates on our recent activities, legal news from around the country, and helpful information for legal consumers.

In this issue, we revisit our 2006 successes and highlight what's on the horizon for 2007.

HALT's 2006 Highlights
Do-It-Yourself Law

New Publications

This year HALT produced a new self-help book Do-It- Yourself Law: HALT’s Guide to Self-Help Books, Kits & Software, published three new Citizens’ Legal Guides on state lemon laws, revocable living trusts and going to small claims court and added five articles to our Everyday Law Series.

Lawyer Accountability

In April, HALT released its 2006 Lawyer Discipline Report Card to assess whether states took meaningful action to improve lawyer discipline systems since the 2002 Report Card and garnered much press attention from all over the nation. We also helped convince 12 states to require lawyers to disclose whether they are covered by legal malpractice insurance.

Judicial Integrity

In September, responding to pressure from HALT, the Judicial Conference of the United States tightened conflict of interest rules and moved to expose the previous secret lobbying of federal judges at posh resorts. HALT Counsel was also invited to provide guidance to the ABA about model judicial ethics rules.

Small Claims Courts

HALT Counsel testified before the Virginia House of Delegates in support of House Bill 1201, raising the small claims limit from $2,000 to $5,000. Before this increase, Virginia had the second lowest jurisdictional limit for small claims courts in the nation.

Freedom of Legal Information

In conjunction with the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, HALT released a "best practices" study of California's family law court system. Law students at the school interviewed court administrators, self-help center staff and pro se litigants in eight counties to identify best practices in service delivery and office management.

For more, visit HALT's Web site.
lifetimes

HALT's "Lifetimes" guide offers resources on estate planning and planned giving, with new articles and features every month. New this month:

Amid the frenzy of financial demands--such as ensuring the stability of everyday lifestyle needs and planning for a secure retirement--the simple wish to make a difference for others stands firm.

Retirement plan assets are often overlooked as gifts to a charitable organization. If you participate in a qualified retirement plan and are willing to share the remaining balance with us when you are gone, you can gain meaningful tax advantages and be far more philanthropic than you might have ever imagined.
What's on HALT’s Horizon in 2007
Gavel

New Publications

HALT plans to begin research and writing on a new publication, After the Storm: Getting Help, Avoiding Scams and Rebuilding After a Disaster Strikes, add new articles to its Everyday Law Series and create additional Citizens Legal Guides for its members and general public.

Lawyer Accountability

HALT’s Fee Arbitration Survey, which will assess each state’s system for settling attorney-client fee disputes, is scheduled for completion in 2007.

Judicial Integrity

HALT plans to release a 2007 Judicial Accountability Report Card to evaluate each state’s mechanism for protecting the public against abuses of judicial power.

Small Claims Courts

HALT plans to create small claims advisory services in jurisdictions across the country that build upon the successful Massachusetts model already in operation at Harvard University. We will also continue to advocate for increasing jurisdictional dollar limits in Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere.

Freedom of Legal Information

Expanding protections for nonlawyer providers of legal services is on HALT’s agenda for 2007. HALT will work for passage of the Illinois Legal Document Preparers Act, which establishes a system for legalizing and regulating independent paralegals in that state.

Probate

In 2007, HALT will produce research that documents incidences of guardianship abuse, describe typical cases of exploitation and provide an overview of ongoing reform efforts.

New Online Legal Information Clearinghouse

HALT will make our online resources even easier to use by consolidating all of our resources into one easy-to-use section called Legal Information Clearinghouse on HALT's Web site. There you will find our Citizens Legal Guides, Everyday Law Series articles, state-by-state charts and links to other Web sites organized by topic for easy searching.

Check for updates on HALT's progress by visiting our Web site.

The HALT Staff
HALT
phone: 202-887-8255