Chief justices, legal scholars, practitioners, bar leaders and members of the business community are gathering this coming weekend at the University of Kentucky College of Law to discuss the impact of court underfunding.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, nine state supreme court chief justices from across the country and American Bar Association President Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III are among participants who will focus on the impact of the funding crisis on access to justice.
“There is nothing more precious than our freedom and that comes from access to justice,” said Robinson. “By bringing many of the stakeholders in access to justice together — judges, practitioners, bar leaders, academics and government leaders — this symposium affords us a unique opportunity to analyze and confront the crisis head on.”
“We must do everything in our power to adequately fund our courts and counter this fundamental threat to our constitutional democracy,” he added.
Among other things, organizers noted that 40 states last year slashed state court funding and at least six states close their courts one day a week because of inadequate funding.
In addition, they noted that New Hampshire suspended all civil cases for a year to deal with overwhelming backlogs exacerbated by inadequate funding.
In addition to Robinson, participants in the weekend event will include:
•State Supreme Court Justices John Minton (chief justice, Ky.), Maureen O’Connor (chief justice, Ohio), Jean Toal (chief justice, S.C.), Christine Durham (chief justice, Utah), Paul De Muniz (chief justice, Ore.), Margaret H. Marshall (chief justice, ret., Mass.), Peggy Quince (chief justice, ret., Fla.), Jack Jacobs (justice, Del.) and Mark Martin (senior associate justice, N.C.)
•Erwin Chemerinsky, dean, University of California – Irvine School of Law
The Kentucky Law Journal, along with the American Bar Association and the National Center for State Courts, is hosting the symposium in honor of the Kentucky Law Journal’s 100th anniversary. Robinson also is being honored as the university’s distinguished alumnus.
Highlights include:
•“Courts, Business and the Economy” — will explore topics such as the role of courts in maintaining a viable economy, the reality of closing courts, dispute resolution and small business litigation.
•“Court Funding: Autonomy, Access and Accountability” — will discuss constitutional issues involving state court funding, judicial independence and the inherent powers of the court.
•Remarks by U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.
•Gala Dinner Honoring Robinson and Celebrating the Kentucky Law Journal’s 100th Anniversary , with Robinson delivering the kenote address on state court underfunding.
•“18th Century Courts – 21st Century Expectations” — will discuss technology and efficiency, the changing role of courts, the impact of social media on the courts and solutions some courts have used to combat budget cuts.
•“Putting It All Together: What Can We Do Now?” — includes remarks by Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall (ret., Mass.).
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