SAN FRANCISCO/LOS ANGELES—Covington was honored as the “Pro Bono Partner of the Year” at Community Legal Aid SoCal’s annual “Justice Served” event. The award recognizes the firm’s advocacy in an ongoing lawsuit asking the California Supreme Court to mandate electronic recordings in civil proceedings for low-income litigants when court reporters are unavailable.
In recent years, California has experienced an unprecedented shortage of court reporters, which has often left courts unable to provide free court reporters in civil cases. This shortage has precipitated an access to justice crisis for litigants who cannot afford to hire private court reporters, as verbatim recordings of court proceedings are necessary for, among other things, preserving the right to appeal incorrect trial court rulings. Covington co-counseled with Community Legal Aid to file an original writ petition on behalf of their client, the Family Violence Appellate Project, in the California Supreme Court to challenge the state’s ban on litigants using electronic recording in most civil court hearings, when a court reporter is unavailable, even if a party cannot afford to hire a private court reporter. Bay Area Legal Aid also joined the suit. If the Court grants the petition, it will significantly increase access to justice across California by providing low-income litigants verbatim, electronic recordings of trial court proceedings.
The team includes Sonya Winner, Ellen Choi, Bryanna Walker, Eva Dorrough, and former associate Jacob Pagano.
Covington has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service. The firm is frequently recognized for pro bono service, including being ranked 12 times as the number one pro bono practice in the U.S. by The American Lawyer. Much of the firm's pro bono work is anchored in meeting local needs, serving economically disadvantaged individuals and families in our surrounding communities, in addition to its long history of serving vulnerable clients and important causes throughout the U.S. and the world.
Back
