Steven Schulman Quoted in Law360 on Efforts to Reopen DOJ’s Office for Access to Justice

Akin Gump pro bono partner Steven Schulman has been quoted in the Law360 article “Virus, Protests Fuel Push To Reopen Access To Justice Office.” The article looks at efforts being made by some lawmakers to reopen the Justice Department’s Office for Access to Justice (ATJ).

As Law360 reports, the office was created in 2010 during the Obama administration to provide national leadership on issues like indigent defense, excessive fines and fees, juvenile justice, legal aid funding and more, but was quietly shuttered in 2018. Now, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing racial justice movement, Law360 notes that some in Congress are trying to reopen the office, having passed an appropriations bill that would require the Justice Department to reestablish it.

Schulman, who serves as co-president of the Association of Pro Bono Counsel, signaled his support for ATJ in a letter to members of the House of Representatives. He recalled to Law360 attending monthly meetings with the Obama White House, the Department of Homeland Security and ATJ staff.

“While many of us disagreed with the family detention policy that Obama started, we were able to discuss how we as advocates could ameliorate some of the problems we were seeing,” he said. “We had disagreements but we met and resolved issues — Vice President Joe Biden was especially engaged on these issues.”

Schulman added that he “would be surprised if Biden did not reestablish” the office, if he were to be elected President.