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Introduction to Document Assembly
for Legal Services
Marc LauritsenCapstone Practice Systems
October 2011
Quick review: Document Assembly
Sometimes called ... “Document automation” “Computer-aided drafting”
Think TurboTax
Typically found in ... Word processing applications Case management systems Fillable forms
Basic Concepts
Templates – model documents Variables – what’s different?
Facts, choices Calculations - numbers, dates,
texts “Logic” – what goes where?
Conditional/optional pieces Repeated sections
Interface - questions and guidance
Template + Answers = Document
Important differences
Templates | Answers | Documents
Interview | Assembly
RTF templates | PDF templates
Desktop HotDocs | Online HotDocs
Benefits
Effectiveness Doing good
work with less effort
Quality Correctness Completeness Consistency
Responsiveness
Training and continuing education
Consolidation of expertise
Process improvement
Job satisfaction and enrichment
Uses
Document focus Word processable documents Graphical forms, PDFs Personalized instructions
Interview focus Dynamic questionnaires Intelligent checklists Analytical advisors Eligibility assessment Hotline scripts for call center
staff
Users
Self-helpers (unrepresented) Clients (partially or fully
represented) Legal services staff advocates Hotline staff Volunteers, pro bono counsel Law school clinics Other nonprofits
Alternate front ends
Native HotDocs – “out of the box”
A2J
Online interviews
The content spectrum
Static (brochure-ware) Nothing changes
Interactive, navigable (hypertext) Locations or views change
Dynamic, intelligent, productive Content changes
LHI
About Illinois Legal Aid Online’s Automated Documents Project
Goals Create a core library of automated
documents for legal aid and pro bono attorneys
Provide pro se litigants and others with means to create correct, complete, and neat forms and letters appropriate to address their legal needs
Where are the Automated Documents? Automated documents for use by
attorneys representing clients are available through both www.illinoislegaladvocate.org and www.illinoisprobono.org.
Users must register for an ILAO account in order to access the automated documents
Users must register separately on LawHelp Interactive to save answer files for re-use.
Automated documents for use by the public are on www.illinoislegalaid.org
The Automated Documents Menu
In Topical “Pro Bono Guide Me”
Find Automated Documents by Searching
Finding Automated Documents on the Public Website
Automated documents are not searchable on the public website
We have created a “form library” screen where Self-Help Center navigators and others assisting pro se litigants can find all public automated documents
Form Library
Within Topical “Guide Me”
What Programs Does ILAO Have Online for Advocates?
Divorce Adoption Lockout Case Letters and Pleadings Motion to Stay Eviction Powers of Attorney and Advanced Directives Civil Motions Simple Will Discovery Packet Vehicle Deficiency Suit Defense Hospital Bill Defense Immigration
What Programs Does ILAO Have for Pro Se Litigants?
Forms, Letters and Pleadings for: Fee Waiver/ 298 Petition Divorce Name Change Order of Protection (for most counties) Expungement and Sealing Mortgage Foreclosure Answer Powers of Attorney for Health Care and
Property Security Deposit Complaint and Demand
Letters Letters Credit Card Cos., Banks, Insurance
Cos., Credit Reporting Agencies to Report Identity Theft
…and many more on www.IllinoisLegalAid.org
How Are Illinois Attorneys Using Automated Documents?
Traditional Client Services
Pro Bono Projects Unbundled Services for
Pro Se Litigants
Center for Disability and Elder Law
Thomas Wendt, Chief Legal Officer
Uses automated documents for: Divorce, since 2009 Powers of Attorney and Advanced Directives,
since working with ILAO on edits to accommodate new law in 2011
Wills, also since working with ILAO in 2011 Serves individual clients in office, considering
automated documents for clinics also. Reasons for using automated documents:
Professional and consistent documents Efficient delivery of services
Prairie State Legal ServicesSandy Crow, Volunteer Lawyer
Coordinator, Peoria Office Used automated documents with volunteer
lawyers in clinical setting for: Uncontested Divorce, since October 2010 (see
handout)
Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives, since July, 2011
Reasons for using automated documents: Allows non-expert pro bono attorneys to
provide effective services Standardized documents for pro bono
attorneys Resources already posted on ILAO, no need to
re-create and distribute materials for each clinic.
How Can Your Program Participate in this Project? Substantive Expertise
Assist in developing appropriate interviews and process flow
Constructive feedback on how to improve current automated documents
Ideas for new projects Let us know where you see a
need Think about automated
documents when planning new projects
Thank You!
For further information, contact:Mary K. Neal
Automated Documents Project Manager312-977-9047 x18
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