While there is a constitutional right to counsel at state expense for those accused of criminal and juvenile violations, no such right currently is recognized for litigants in civil trials or immigration proceedings. This panel examined innovative measures that increase access to counsel and how those efforts can be implemented and improved to better serve vulnerable populations in the legal system.

Panelists included:

• Moderator, Alan Morrison, Special Counsel, Fair Elections Legal Network (Windows Media)
• Eleanor Acer, Director of the Refugee Protection Program, Human Rights First (Windows Media)
• John Amaya, Legislative Staff Attorney, Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund (Windows Media)
• F. Paul Bland, Staff Attorney, Public Justice (Windows Media)
• Ted Frank, Resident Fellow and Director of the AEI Legal Center for the Public Interest (Windows Media)
• Jonathan M. Smith, Executive Director, Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia (Windows Media)

Discussion: (Windows Media)

Questions and Answers: (Windows Media)