Ensuring adequate
legal representation
The legal profession must ensure equal justice and equal access by representing people with disabilities. We must ensure that people with disabilities are represented in law schools, law firms and the court system. Attorneys must fulfill their pro bono obligations, and law school clinics can assist students in learning about disabilities. CLEs and training can help lawyers feel prepared and educated to help clients with disabilities. CLEs and law school classes should cover disability topics and ideally include a person with a developmental disability on a CLE panel. An inclusive CLE panel has helped to break down stereotypes for students, lawyers, and more. The videos below provde practical information and insights.
Videos
Barriers to Equal Justice
Pamela Hoopes
An outline of steps to help people with developmental disabilities understand their legal rights and how to access the legal process
Minnesota’s Committed Legal System
The Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright, US District Judge, District of Minnesota
An overview of the legal community’s commitment to equal justice, and access to and representation of people with disabilities.
A Message to Law Students
Professor Stephen F. Befort
A message for law students to encourage them to engage in promoting the rights of people with disabilities.
The Largest Minority Group
The Honorable Donovan Frank
People with disabilities are the largest unrepresented minority group. Judge Frank encourages attorneys to remedy this disparity by educating themselves and offering to represent someone with a disability.
An Inclusive Training Program
The Honorable Donovan Frank
Stereotypes are broken down when we learn from and are educated by, live and work with, people with developmental disabilities.
