SAN FRANCISCO—Covington was honored as one of Bay Area Legal Aid’s “Pro Bono Heroes” in its Annual Report. The firm was named a “Pro Bono Hero” in recognition of its work partnering with BayLegal, Family Violence Appellate Project, and Community Legal Aid SoCal to address the denial of due process and equal protection under the law caused by the state’s widespread court reporter shortage.
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 and CLA SoCal, representing the Family Violence Appellate Project, teamed up with BayLegal to file an original writ petition on behalf 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. 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 Covington team includes Sonya Winner, Ellen Choi, Bryanna Walker, and Eva Dorrough.
BayLegal’s mission is to provide meaningful access to the civil justice system through quality legal assistance regardless of a client’s location, language or disability.
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
