Justice For All
General Information
GIS Story Map
Project Action Plan
► General Information
In December of 2016, the Alaska State Court System (through its Access to Justice Committee) received a Justice For All (JFA) grant from the Public Welfare Foundation administered by the National Center for State Courts. The grant supported the development of a statewide action plan to expand access to justice.
Expanding access to justice requires innovation and moving past the idea that an attorney or a courtroom is the best or only solution for Alaskans. Partnering across legal, social services, medical and information providers to address the array of justice needs that people face may be the key to the early detection, diagnosis and intervention necessary to empower Alaskans to solve their problems before they find themselves in the legal system. Innovating the way we understand “justice” and the ways we provide “access,” are the guiding principles of the JFA plan.
For more information, please contact Jeannie Sato, Director of Access to Justice Services, 907-264-0877.
Fairness and Access Commission
Alaska’s Fairness and Access Commission was formally recognized by the American Bar Association as an ATJ Commission in 2014. It is comprised of two separate committees: the Access to Justice Committee and the Fairness, Diversity and Equality Committee. Both committees have broad membership composed of leaders representing the state courts, the bar association, legal aid providers, and various other community groups and organizations.
Access to Justice Committee
The Access to Justice Committee focuses on projects and strategies to improve access to civil justice statewide. The Committee additionally works to support the initiatives and work of the court system’s Access to Justice Department, which includes the Family Law Self-Help Center. Some of the Committee’s present initiatives include regulatory reform, improving technology and access in more rural parts of the state, and working to improve state and tribal court working relationships.
Chaired by:
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Dario Borghesan
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Jennifer S. Henderson
Contact Person:
Abaigeal O'Brien
Deputy Director of Access to Justice Services
820 W. 4th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501
(907) 264-8236
aobrien@akcourts.gov
Fairness, Diversity and Equality Committee
The Fairness, Diversity, and Equality (FDE) Committee aims to increase fairness and access to the courts for all Alaskans. Initiatives include programs and services designed to improve systemic outcomes for Alaskans of limited means, self-represented litigants, non-English speakers, victims of domestic violence, rural Alaskans, and racial and ethnic minorities. The committee also supports projects to increase racial, ethnic and gender diversity throughout the legal profession. Through ongoing partnerships with organizations such as the National Association of Women Judges, the Alaska Bar Association, and the Alaska Judicial Council, members participate in the presentation of events that promote awareness of issues related to fairness, diversity, and equity. Annual events include a diversity luncheon where diverse and distinguished panel members speak to the importance of diversity in their personal and professional lives, the Color of Justice Program - a program that promotes awareness of the legal profession and encourages diverse youth to pursue legal careers; MLK Day – a free legal clinic where volunteer attorneys provide free unbundled legal services to Alaskans without attorneys; and, Success Inside and Out – a program where legal professionals partner with the Department of Corrections and community organizations to support the successful reentry of women recently released from incarceration. The committee also assists in delivering training and educational resources to judges and lawyers on issues related to implicit bias, cultural competence, and equal access to justice.
Chaired By:
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Susan M. Carney,
Anchorage District Court Judge Pamela Washington
Anchorage District Court Judge Kari McCrea
Contact Person:
Mara Rabinowitz
Special Projects Coordinator
820 W. 4th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501
(907) 264-0879
mrabinowitz@akcourts.gov