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The Future of Everything
The future of legal representation
Apr 4, 2025
Nora Freeman Engstrom, a law professor at Stanford specializing in legal ethics and access to justice, delves into the critical issue of inadequate legal representation. Three-quarters of litigants are unrepresented in significant civil cases, and many face daunting challenges, such as eviction. Engstrom discusses potential solutions like non-lawyer representation and AI in legal services, urging systemic reforms to bridge the gap in legal accessibility. She also highlights the historical evolution of legal aid and the need for innovative approaches to support the unrepresented.
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Quick takeaways
- A significant portion of civil cases in the U.S. sees one or more parties without legal representation, leading to unequal justice outcomes.
- Innovative alternatives like non-lawyer representation and AI solutions are being explored to improve access to legal assistance for underserved populations.
Deep dives
The Access to Legal Representation Crisis
A significant issue in the American legal system is the lack of access to legal representation, especially in civil cases where individuals often stand against powerful institutional actors without a lawyer. Data indicates that in approximately three-quarters of civil cases, at least one party lacks legal representation, which leads to disproportionate outcomes in court. Individuals who are unrepresented are less likely to win their cases, even when the law is on their side, rendering them vulnerable to actions such as evictions and wage garnishments. This situation highlights a systemic crisis in which ordinary people are significantly disadvantaged in the judicial process.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode