NYCLA Launches Task Force to Expand Legal Access via Non-Attorney Support

The New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) has officially launched the Technology and Community Justice Taskforce, an initiative aimed at broadening the scope of legal support available to those who cannot afford traditional counsel. By leveraging the skills of paralegals, community navigators, and other non-attorney staff, the association hopes to create a more accessible pathway for self-represented litigants within the city’s justice system.

Taskforce chair Sateesh Nori, an advocate for access-to-justice reform, noted that the project seeks to empower professionals already working on the front lines of legal services. NYCLA President Ronald Minkoff compared the proposed model to the medical field, where nurse practitioners are authorized to perform specific clinical duties. The association is currently drafting a formal charter to define how this framework might function, with potential applications for both non-profit legal organizations and private law firms.

Central to the task force’s strategy is the integration of artificial intelligence. While the group aims to build tools that assist individuals in navigating court processes, Minkoff acknowledged the inherent risks, noting that the technology must be carefully managed to prevent misuse or the filing of meritless motions that could overwhelm the judiciary.

To move forward, the task force intends to identify necessary legislative changes. Minkoff suggested that the New York State legislature may need to establish new practice rules—similar to existing regulations that permit law students to perform supervised legal work—to clarify the training and qualifications required for non-lawyer practitioners.

The task force, which includes a diverse group of legal professionals and academics such as Seymour James, Janet Sabel, and David Udell, plans to prioritize educational outreach. The group aims to host a conference or a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program by the end of 2026 to further refine its objectives. Leadership also intends to expand its membership to include voices from the judiciary, legal funders, and the non-lawyer workers themselves to ensure a comprehensive approach to the initiative.