1. Closing the Gap Project
Lillian Moy – Executive Director at Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
Melody Harkness – PAI Coordinator at Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
Mike Grunenwald – Program Coordinator at Pro Bono Net
Anna Steele – Technology Coordinator at Legal Assistance of Western New York
Legal Society of Northeastern New York
LSC Funded by Pro Bono Innovation Fund and TIG Grant

2. Closing the Gap:
Program designed to assist rural pro se litigants facing housing and consumer issues by connecting them to an urban pro bono attorney who uses virtual technology to interview and produce pro se pleadings for the pro se litigant to file in court. Bridging the access to justice gap in rural communities.

3. Partners Pro Bono Net Legal Assistance of Western New York
Volunteer Legal Services Project

4. Collaborative Partnerships
LASNNY AND LAWNY serve substantial rural areas
25 counties
231,369 rural population
Previous PAI referrals demonstrate the inability to refer rural cases to private attorneys
Urban v Rural attorney availability
NEED: housing and consumer areas of law

5. Rural client  Technology Urban Pro Bono
Closing the Gap Purpose “I would love to represent this client, but they’re just too far”
Limited staff availability to assist rural clients
Transportation
Lack of volunteer resources to serve rural clients
Innovative approach to pro bono representation
Rural client  Technology Urban Pro Bono

6. Role of PAI Coordinator
Informed Consent
Limited Scope Representation
Service Instructions
Familiarity of Ethics Opinions related to LSR
Opinion 613
Requires disclosure to courts and opposing party
Screening program eligible referrals
Documents required (will the program generate what the client needs?)
Predicting difficult cases to place (i.e. State of New York v John Doe)
Review of generated pleadings
Documents Produced: Answer, Order to Show Cause to Vacate Default Judgment, Affidavit in Support of Order to Show Cause, Opposition to Motion for Summary Judgment, Affidavit of Service, Verification, Debt Verification Letter, Income Garnishment Letter, Service Instructions, Explanation of Defenses

7. When working with a new technology based program…
Reporting minor technical issues
Learning the technology
Familiarity with website
Testing client credentials
Generating a test document

8. Training volunteers “What is a browser?”
Determining level of comfort with technology
CLE Trainings
Individual trainings on Closing the Gap website and Law Help Interactive
Testing browser compatibility with advocates
Support during interactive interviews

10. Successes:
3 – Prevented eviction from private/public housing 1 – Restored access to personal property 2 - Delayed eviction providing time to secure alternative housing, awarded damages 1 – Default judgment vacated, income garnishment ceased 1 – Referred for full representation (awaiting decision from judge)

11. Highlighted Success:
Client received an income execution notice due to an outstanding default judgment. Volunteer conducted a virtual interview and prepared an Answer and Order to Show Cause to Vacate Default Judgment using technology through the Closing the Gap website. As a result of the hearing, the judgment was vacated and garnishment ceased relieving the client of a $2600 debt.