NEW YORK, February 8, 2022 – Proskauer, a leading international law firm, shared its efforts to improve access to justice in New York City Family Court through the Firm’s pro bono work. A team of Proskauer lawyers has co-authored a report for the New York City Bar Association and the Fund for Modern Courts, analyzing the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Family Court and outlining several reforms to address staffing shortages and the need to expand technological capabilities.
The report also includes a series of recommendations to improve access to justice in the New York City Family Court.
Lawyers from Proskauer who worked on the report with New York City Bar Association members and Fund for Modern Courts representatives include Partner William C. Silverman and associates Krusheeta Patel and John Prusakowski.
“It’s going to take a concerted effort – bench, bar and state lawmakers – to modernize the New York City Family Court. There is a great need for increased resources to ensure equal access to justice,” said Bill, who is responsible for leading Proskauer’s pro bono efforts and serves as chair of the Fund for Modern Courts.
The report recognizes that many challenges in the Family Court are a byproduct of New York’s antiquated system of 11 separate trial courts and an overall lack of resources, including an insufficient number of judges, and urges executive and legislative action.
The report calls for the Family Court to adopt NYSCEF e-filing; provide regular statistical reporting; enact uniform rules; expand technological capabilities for remote proceedings and for communications with stakeholders; act expediently to provide all lawyers who work in the Family Court with UCMS access; move judges, staff, and other resources from other trial courts as necessary and appropriate to tackle backlogs and delays; and expand judicial resources and management training for jurists.
The report also recommends that Court leaders engage with stakeholders on a plan for the complete reopening of the Family Court.
Read the report: https://bit.ly/3HubbKY
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