judiciary page 1

Judiciary

Judicial Branch 600 and 900 Series Expenditures - FY2021 and FY2022Agencies 101 (Supreme Court), 102 (Board of Law Examiners), 120-143 (District Courts)

600 SERIES GRANT AND AID PAYMENTS:

Unit Vendor Amount Justification Description0120 LEGAL AID OF WYOMING $430,072.35 W.S. 5-2-121(a) Equal Justice Wyoming general civil legal services statewide0120 WY COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL A $226,167.18 W.S. 5-2-121(a) Equal Justice Wyoming services for victims of violence, sexual abuse0120 MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF LARAMIE CO $101,838.64 W.S. 5-2-121(a) Equal Justice Wyoming partnership for health-harming civil legal issues0120 WYOMING CHILDRENS LAW CENTER INC $77,878.17 W.S. 5-2-121(a) Equal Justice Wyoming civil legal services for juveniles and disabled inividuals0120 TETON COUNTY ACCESS TO JUSTICE CENTER $30,956.85 W.S. 5-2-121(a) Equal Justice Wyoming general civil legal services Teton, Sublette, Lincoln0125 CARBON COUNTY TREASURER $28,252.80 2018 S.L., Ch134, Sect. 325 Court security grant0125 HOT SPRINGS COUNTY TREASURER $15,628.60 2018 S.L., Ch134, Sect. 325 Court security grant

Sum FY21 600 Series (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021) $910,794.59

Unit Vendor Amount Justification Description0120 LEGAL AID OF WYOMING INC $120,110.27 W.S. 5-2-121(a) Equal Justice Wyoming general civil legal services statewide0120 WY COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL A $103,892.32 W.S. 5-2-121(a) Equal Justice Wyoming services for victims of violence, sexual abuse0920 LEGAL AID OF WYOMING INC $71,574.05 CARES - ERAP Equal Justice Wyoming Emergency Rental Assistance services statewide0130 TETON COUNTY ACCESS TO JUSTICE CENTER $50,477.84 W.S. 5-2-121(a) Equal Justice Wyoming general civil legal services Teton, Sublette, Lincoln0120 WYOMING CHILDRENS LAW CENTER INC $32,987.51 W.S. 5-2-121(a) Equal Justice Wyoming civil legal services for juveniles and disabled inividuals0120 MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF LARAMIE CO $26,878.84 W.S. 5-2-121(a) Equal Justice Wyoming partnership for health-harming civil legal issues0920 WY COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL A $1,995.75 CARES - ERAP Equal Justice Wyoming services for victims of violence, sexual abuse

Sum FY22 600 Series (July 1, 2021 - October 31, 2021) $407,916.58

900 SERIES CONTRACT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

Unit Vendor Amount Justification Descriptionvarious ABSOLUTE AUDIO VISUAL INC $2,304,905.86 CARES Act Courtroom audio and visual upgrades for remote hearings 0610,0601 CDW GOVERNMENT INC $457,188.47 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Microsoft Azure cloud services (storage, licenses, email, conferencing etc)0120 WY COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL A $416,033.44 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation VOCA services - funding passed through from Attorney General's Office0301, 0601 FSX HOLDINGS INC $208,919.00 Operational item included in BFY19 and BFY21 appropriations Chancery court and district court e-filing0610, 0601 ABSOLUTE AUDIO VISUAL INC $95,399.53 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Services and product for courtroom technologyvarious JUSTICE SYSTEMS INC $79,150.00 Prior biennia exception requests Case management system0610 AVENU HOLDINGS LLC $66,165.00 Exception request from BFY17 budget appropriation Jury management system0601 QWEST COMMUNICATIONS CO LLC $55,434.63 Exception request from BFY17 budget appropriation Meraki switches and support0101 WYOMING STATE BAR $47,171.13 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Board of Law Examiners salary reimbursement to State Bar130,131,139 KNIGHT PC $42,517.50 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Natrona County involuntary hearing services0601 BLACK HILLS INFORMATION SECURITY LCC $35,388.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Network penetration security testing0601 RSM US LLP $34,500.00 Exception request from BFY17 budget appropriation Azure migration

Various vendors (126) at less than $1,000 each $33,458.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Various0610 GOVERNMENT REVENUE SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS I LLC $28,981.00 Exception request from BFY17 budget appropriation Jury management system0901 Teresa M McKee $26,750.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Drug court magistrate0610 MetrixData 360 Inc $23,500.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Microsoft license true-up0601 NUTANIX INC $22,542.23 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Frame platform usage0301 CORTHELL AND KING PC $21,920.01 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Chancery court project management services0101 ABSOLUTE AUDIO VISUAL INC $18,696.25 Operational item included in BFY19 budget appropriation 143 Courtroom equipment0106 PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE LLC $18,390.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Grant support0601 DELL MARKETING LP $17,738.27 Exception request from BFY17 budget appropriation System service tags/service support0901 Jacquelyn Lanre Bridgeman $13,317.54 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Drug court magistrate0109, 0610 ONTARIO SYSTEMS LLC $12,500.00 Prior biennia exception requests Case management systemvarious ANNE R TKACH $10,425.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Archiving services for various circuit courts0120 LEGAL AID OF WYOMING $8,034.48 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation EJW legal provider services0901 DE LA MORA ENTERPRISES INC $7,752.00 Operational item included in BFY19 budget appropriation Interpreter training0101 SABRINA TREVATHAN $7,584.25 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 128 Court reporter0120 PS Technologies Inc $7,530.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation LegalServer subscription

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0101 WELDING & MACHINE INC $7,500.00 Operational item included in BFY19 budget appropriation Window cranks0601 MIMECAST NORTH AMERICA INC $7,491.25 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Cyber awareness training0901 UNBOUND EVENTS INC $6,500.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Conference speaker0101 SABRINA TREVATHAN $5,048.50 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 125 Court reporter0901 Horning Horning & McGrath LLC $4,245.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Drug court magistrate0101 SUSAN KUPKE $4,142.25 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 127 Court reporter0106 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNSEL FOR CHILDREN $4,000.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Conference speaker0101 WYOMING STATE BAR $4,000.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Bar conference 0101 ABSOLUTE AUDIO VISUAL INC $3,817.75 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 126 Courtroom technology0101 ABSOLUTE AUDIO VISUAL INC $3,777.76 Operational item included in BFY19 budget appropriation 121 courtroom equipment0101 ABSOLUTE AUDIO VISUAL INC $3,777.75 Operational item included in BFY19 budget appropriation 120 courtroom equipment0101 BARBARA MORGENWECK $3,631.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 127 Court reporter0901 CHRISTOPHER CURTIS $3,500.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Conference speaker0901 JANIECE SYLVIA MARSHALL $3,500.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Conference speaker0101 Casper Inn LLC $3,397.61 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE Hotel rooms for bar exams0601 WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION $3,360.00 Operational item included in BFY19 budget appropriation C-Track enhancement0511, 0521 Ketura Calderon $3,315.52 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Interpreter services0101 LITTLE AMERICA HOTELS & RESORTS INC $3,053.10 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE Hotel rooms for bar exams0594 JACKSON HOLE SECURITY LLC $2,928.03 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Mail/bank service0101 JEANNIE GEBES $2,882.50 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 125 Court reporter 0101 HOTEL INVESTMENT SERVICES GI INC $2,863.79 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE Hotel rooms for bar exams0552-4 RANDY L ROYAL PC $2,612.55 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Magistrates0901, 0511 Eang Man $2,537.50 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Magistrate services0101 BARBARA MORGENWECK $2,325.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 128 Court reporter0101 UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING $2,121.60 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE Rooms for bar exams0533 MIREYA OCEGUERA ALVAREZ $2,080.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Interpreter services0106 VIVEK SANKARAN $2,000.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Conference speaker0101 ADVANCED REPORTING SOLUTIONS $1,872.40 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 124 Court reporter0101 ALERT CREDIT BUREAU INC $1,848.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE Credit reports0101 WYOMING TRANSCRIBING SERVICES INC $1,749.25 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE Court reporting for character and fitness hearing0101 ABSOLUTE AUDIO VISUAL INC $1,742.50 Operational item included in BFY19 budget appropriation 137 courtroom equipment0584 WANDA I BUTLER $1,681.78 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Interpreter0522 Amy L Bach $1,575.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Magistrate0101 JEANNIE GEBES $1,455.25 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 123 Court commissioner0101 Donald F Heiduck $1,417.50 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE Proctor bar exam0101 DENISE URBIN $1,416.70 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 129 GAL services0101 Danielle E Burnside $1,353.86 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE Proctor bar exam0101 PATRICIA GOEDKEN $1,288.25 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 127 Court reporter0561 RICHARD A ERB JR PC $1,193.50 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Magistrates0101 JACKSON HOLE SECURITY LLC $1,035.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Mail services0101 MARCI HOFF LINDE $1,031.25 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 137 Court commissioner

Sum FY21 900 Series (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021) $4,242,960.29

Unit Vendor Amount Justification Description0917 ABSOLUTE AUDIO VISUAL INC $168,489.84 CARES Act Courtroom audio and visual upgrades for remote hearings 0120 WY COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL A $126,104.32 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation VOCA services - funding passed through from Attorney General's Office0601 CDW GOVERNMENT INC $74,866.93 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Azure Cloud services0601 FSX HOLDINGS INC $34,485.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation District court e-filing0610 AVENU INSIGHTS & ANALYTICS LLC $28,981.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Jury management system0106 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION FUND FOR JUSTICE AND EDU$28,000.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Conference presentations, white paper0101 WYOMING STATE BAR $26,666.92 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE salary reimbursements0109 JUSTICE SYSTEMS INC $26,300.00 Exception request from BFY17, BFY21 operational FCE case management system

Various vendors (81) under $1,000 each $18,776.64 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation various0109, CJP ONTARIO SYSTEMS LLC $14,400.00 Exception request from BFY17, BFY21 operational FCE case management system0601 ABSOLUTE AUDIO VISUAL INC $14,205.88 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Equipment and installation130,131,139 KNIGHT PC $13,652.49 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Natrona County involuntary hearing services0601 CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION $11,979.17 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Digital communication management0901 Teresa M McKee $9,500.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Drug court magistrate

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0504 ANNE R TKACH $8,640.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Archiving services for circuit courts0610 MetrixData 360 Inc $7,800.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Microsoft licensing true-up0601 NUTANIX INC $7,586.62 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Frame platform usage0120 PS Technologies Inc $6,572.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation LegalServer subscription0106 COLLABORATIVE CONNECTIONS INC $5,000.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Grant planning0901 Horning Horning & McGrath LLC $4,327.50 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Drug court magistrate0533 DIANA L WILSEY-GEER $3,597.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Training for circuit courts0901 DAVIS & CANNON LLP $3,455.59 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Case work and research0101, CJP LITTLE AMERICA HOTELS & RESORTS INC $3,172.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Judicial Conference0101 HOTEL INVESTMENT SERVICES GI INC $2,531.99 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE bar exam hotel rooms0101 SABRINA TREVATHAN $2,517.95 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation 128 Court reporting0101 UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING $2,505.95 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE rooms for bar exam0301 RICHARD E KNISLEY $2,490.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Furniture move0101 THOMAS K CLANCY $2,378.90 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Conference speaker0106 PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE LLC $2,000.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Grant assistance0561 CATALINA JOHNSON-AQUINO $1,954.58 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Interpreter services0594, 134 JACKSON HOLE SECURITY LLC $1,917.42 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Mail serviceLaramie Cty MARCI HOFF LINDE $1,843.75 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Laramie County DC commissioner0101 WHI Pinedale LLC $1,749.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE hotel rooms for bar exams0106 SHROUNDA SELIVANOFF $1,500.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Conference speaker0561 ALBERT D GOULD $1,384.50 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Interpreter services0101 ALERT CREDIT BUREAU INC $1,270.50 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation BLE credit reportsvarious Ketura Calderon $1,040.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Interpreter services0593 CHRISTOPHER S LEIGH $1,005.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Magistrate0106 WESTSIDE PSYCHOTHERAPY LLC $1,000.00 Operational item included in BFY21 budget appropriation Conference speaker

Sum FY22 900 Series (July 1, 2021 - October 31, 2021) $675,648.44

Judiciary

Supreme Court5 justices

Wyo. Const. Art. 5, §2

District Court24 judges

Wyo. Const. Art. 5, §10

Circuit Court24 judges

Wyo. Stat. §5-9-102

Chancery CourtMarch 1, 2022 5-13-109(b)

No more than 3 judges 5-13-103(a)

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JUDICIAL BRANCH WORKLOAD STUDY PROCESS

Below are the major milestones included in the process of conducting a workload study. Many smaller steps go into each milestone but are not included on this chart for simplicity purposes.

Perform a workload study

Using case weight established above, apply weights to number ofcases filed in the previous fiscal year, by case type, for eachJudicial District location.

This is performed annually using the most recent case weights.

Contract with a statistician and establish the framework for conducting a time study

Cost approximately $250,000.

Perform a time study for three months

Judges and clerks track time every day for three months inaccordance with the framework created above.

Recommended practice is to preform a time study every three to five years.

Perform statistical analysis on time study

Results will establish the average minutes needed by judges orclerks to complete or dispose of each type of case, referred to as“case weight.”

Recommended practice for time studies is to perform them every three to five years. The last time a Wyoming Judicial Branch time study was conducted was in 2012. Annual workload studies have been created every year using case weights from the 2012 study,

however, these case weights are no longer accurate measures of time due to the implementation of a new case management system and changes to the law.

Judiciary

Equal Justice Wyoming’s funding has greatly expanded the availability of legal services across the state, in part through our grant program. In fiscal year 2021, a total of 3,992 individuals received legal services from Equal Justice Wyoming and our grantees. Twenty six percent of Wyoming’s population lives below 200% of the federal poverty level and financially qualifies for free legal services. Through the following grants, Equal Justice Wyoming currently provides funding to support legal services to help meet the needs of individuals who are unable to afford an attorney.

Equal Justice Wyoming Grants Grants funded from:

Civil Legal Services Fees Pro Hac Vice Fees

VOCA & ERAP Funds

Legal Aid of Wyoming

Funding to support overall operations, including offices in Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Gillette, Lander, and Rock

Springs

Funding to operate a Statewide Legal Advice

Hotline. Hotline callers are screened for eligibility and

receive advice from two full-time attorneys over the

hotline, which also serves as a central intake to apply for

extended services

Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic

Violence and Sexual Assault

Funds six attorneys and a portion of a paralegal's time to provide statewide wrap-

around legal services to victims of domestic violence

and sexual assault

Wyoming Children's Law Center

Funds a full-time attorney to provide a variety of civil legal

services in cases involving children

Teton County Access to Justice Center

Self-help center staffed with a part-time attorney to provide

legal information and resources

Also provides funds to pay a panel of attorneys a reduced

rate to represent elgible clients in general civil matters

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Medical-Legal Partnership

Funds two full-time attorneys to work within a healthcare team to address legal issues that are adversely affecting

clients' health

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Message from the Executive Director

2021 was another challenging year due to the pandemic, but

our pro bono attorneys and legal aid providers continue to

step up to the challenge and serve some of the most

vulnerable individuals in the state. I am grateful for all the

wonderful work that has been done in Wyoming over the

past year supporting and providing assistance to those most

in need. The following report details the work of Equal

Justice Wyoming, our grantees, and our volunteers for the

year ending June 30, 2021.

- Angie Dorsch

Equal Justice Wyoming _________________________________________________________________________________

Annual Report to the Wyoming Supreme Court

July 2021

Board of Commissioners

Stuart Day, President

Cathy Duncil, Vice-President

Jacquelyn Bridgeman,

Secretary-Treasurer

Brooke Barney

Jennifer Hanft

Katie Hogarty

Tyson Logan

Tom Lubnau, II

Ex Officio Board Members

Walter F. Eggers, III

Ronda Munger

Shawn Wilde

Staff

Angie Dorsch, Executive Director

Leora Hoshall, VISTA Supervisor

Jessica Wales, Administrative Assistant

Henry Wisdorf, Staff Attorney/IT Project

Manager

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

3,992 people received legal services

and self-help assistance in FY 2021

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___________________________________________________________________________________

Pro Bono Programs and Initiatives

Wyoming Free Legal Answers

The Wyoming Free Legal Answers

(WFLA) secure online portal,

wyoming.freelegalanswers.org, was

launched in August 2016, in partnership

with the American Bar Association, to offer

free legal advice online. The website

screens applicants for income eligibility

and allows eligible individuals to submit

civil legal questions via a secure portal.

Attorneys licensed to practice law in

Wyoming can register as volunteers to

answer questions on the site. Equal Justice

provides the day-to-day administrative

functions for the site, including ensuring

that only Wyoming-licensed attorneys in

good standing are permitted to answer

questions. Equal Justice also sends weekly

updates to the volunteer lawyers and

provides resources for both lawyers and

clients.

The portal is a valuable resource that

reaches Wyomingites in rural and

underserved areas of the state, as well as those with

limited access to transportation and childcare. WFLA

has been a particularly important resource during the

pandemic.

332 legal questions answered by

19 volunteer attorneys

17% increase in questions answered

“I was needing help in developing strategies to deal with

an unemployment benefits issue. The attorney that

helped me was outstanding and insightful. I am very

grateful and appreciative to [the attorney] and for this

site. I don’t yet know the resolution of my issue but I am

much closer now than I was before. Thank you!”

– Feedback from WFLA client in FY 2021

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Volunteer Lawyers Program

Equal Justice manages the statewide Volunteer

Lawyers Program (VLP) in partnership with the

Wyoming State Bar. We provide resources and

support to volunteer attorneys in order to

encourage and facilitate the delivery of pro bono

legal services to low-income clients. The type

of assistance provided by the attorneys ranges

from advice and brief services to full

representation of clients.

The pandemic has disrupted our ability to hold in-

person legal clinics and other pro bono events, but

we hope to be able to resume in-person legal

events in the near future.

We are not able to place every case with a

volunteer attorney because requests for assistance

far outpace the number of available pro bono

attorneys; however, 89 legal matters were handled

by volunteer attorneys over the past year.

Volunteer Reference Attorney Program

The Volunteer Reference Attorney Program (VRA) places attorneys in courthouses to provide legal

information, explain court procedures, and assist litigants in completing pro se forms. It is often difficult

for self-represented litigants to understand the complex civil justice system, and the VRA helps people

navigate confusing court processes and procedures. EJW recruits volunteer attorneys to hold “office

hours” in the participating courts each month. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, these in-person

events, which are typically held in confined spaces in the courthouses, were cancelled. We have resumed

VRA sessions in two counties and hope to get all of our pre-pandemic VRA sites back up and running

in the coming months. In the meantime, we continue to refer self-represented litigants to services that

are available remotely.

89 matters handled by pro bono attorneys

“I am very pleased with all the support Equal Justice WY

has given me…Thank you so much!”

“[The legal help] worked for me so well! Changed my

life.”

– Feedback from clients who received legal assistance

through the Volunteer Lawyers Program in FY 2021

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Online Legal Information and Resources

Equal Justice launched our website in

November 2012. Since then, we have

continually expanded the site and updated

the content to provide information,

resources, videos, online classrooms, and

pro se forms that address the most

common civil legal issues faced by low-

income individuals. The website is an important tool that allows

the public to understand their legal rights and access legal

information in plain language. In FY 2021, our website had

41,478 site visits by 30,111 unique users.

LiveChat

In order to remotely assist people and steer them to the information they need, Equal Justice’s website

has a LiveChat feature. This tool helps users navigate our expansive website to find appropriate

resources to address their needs. The LiveChat is similar to a remote self-help center in that it does not

provide legal advice, but instead helps guide people

to appropriate information and trusted resources. In

FY 2021, 299 visitors to the website received

assistance from a trained LiveChat operator. The

majority of the LiveChat volunteers are law

students. An EJW AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers

In Service To America) member provides training

on the LiveChat software and manages the

volunteers’ schedules.

AmeriCorps VISTA Program

We anticipated new challenges and new successes over the past year, and we were not disappointed.

The Equal Justice Wyoming AmeriCorps VISTA program remained strong and inspiring throughout.

Seven VISTAs and a VISTA Leader served with us, including three serving at our first-time subsites,

Wyoming Children’s Law Center, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, and Habitat for Humanity of

Laramie County. At a time when the future was entirely uncertain, these individuals left their homes

and moved west to help make the future brighter for the citizens of Wyoming.

During their year of service, our VISTAs managed successful public awareness campaigns, created staff

training materials, adapted resources for the virtual world, and launched a podcast that connected non-

profit organizations around the state. We are proud of the ingenuity and optimism that our VISTAs

299 visitors to www.legalhelp.wy.gov

received assistance from a trained

LiveChat operator

41,478 site visits and

30,111 unique users

“I’m finding things on the website to assist me. Great,

well-organized, and easy to navigate website. Thanks.”

– Feedback from website visitor in FY 2021

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http://www.legalhelp.wy.gov/

brought to their work, and we are grateful for the impact they had on their adopted communities. In

2021-2022, we will have seven new VISTAs serving with us, including a third generation of VISTAs at

the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Department of Health,

Aging Division. We’re confident that these seven volunteers will be valued additions to their host

organizations and will increase capacity for bringing needed services to people all across the state.

Supporting Statewide Civil Legal Services through Grants

Equal Justice’s mission to provide a statewide delivery system for civil legal aid is largely carried out

through our grants to nonprofit legal service organizations. We are the largest single source of funding

for civil legal services in Wyoming. In FY 2021, we provided a total of $1,284,583 in grants, including

$421,008 of VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funds from the

Division of Victim Services to increase civil legal services

to victims of crime. In total, 3,272 clients received legal

services through the grant programs we fund and

administer.

Equal Justice Wyoming Grantees

Legal Aid of Wyoming, Inc.

Legal Aid of Wyoming is a statewide legal service provider with offices in Casper, Cheyenne, Cody,

Gillette, Lander, and Rock Springs. In addition to providing funding for the general provision of civil

legal services, Equal Justice Wyoming also funds Legal Aid of Wyoming’s statewide legal hotline.

Statewide Legal Advice and Intake Hotline

Equal Justice has partnered with Legal

Aid of Wyoming to ensure individuals

across the state have access to the advice

of a lawyer through a hotline, which has

been in operation since November 2012.

Legal Aid of Wyoming operates the

hotline Monday through Friday from 9:00

a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The hotline is a lifeline

for many people in rural areas with limited

access to a legal aid office. The hotline

number is widely distributed by court

clerks and librarians to people who are

looking for legal advice and assistance.

$1,284,583 provided in grants

3,272 clients received services

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Especially now, as people increasingly need to access legal assistance remotely, the hotline is an

effective and efficient way to provide legal advice and to process applications for people across the entire

state, including rural and underserved areas. Clients are screened for eligibility before any advice or

services are provided, and an

application is then taken. The hotline

assists people from every county in

Wyoming. The hotline provided

services to 2,435 callers in FY 2021.

Legal Aid of Wyoming Cases

Beginning in June 2013, Equal Justice

partnered with Legal Aid of Wyoming by

awarding grants to expand services throughout

the state with the addition of three new offices.

Since that time, Equal Justice has continued to

provide the necessary funds to operate offices

in Rock Springs, Gillette, and Cody. These

communities previously had not had a legal

aid office. Legal Aid of Wyoming staff

attorneys handled 196 legal matters under the

grant in FY 2021.

Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

The Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic

Violence and Sexual Assault (“the

Coalition”) is a statewide legal aid provider

serving victims of abuse and other crimes.

The services the Coalition provides are vital

for protecting victims from further harm.

The Coalition’s services go beyond getting

protective orders. They provide holistic

services to help victims with all issues

related to abuse; for example, the Coalition

represents victims seeking divorce or

custody.

2,435 callers received legal help over the hotline

196 legal matters handled in 2021

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Equal Justice has provided substantial funding to support the work of the Coalition since 2012. The

funds have expanded the availability of legal

services and have allowed the Coalition to open

satellite offices in Casper, Cody, Fort Washakie,

and Gillette, in addition to maintaining their

primary office in Laramie. The Coalition

handled 303 cases in FY 2021.

Wyoming Children’s Law Center

The Wyoming Children’s Law Center

(WCLC) provides legal services in cases

involving children and families. The WCLC’s

services include traditional “family law” cases

as well as other matters that are vitally

important to children’s well-being. For

example, the WCLC provides advocacy to

ensure children receive special education

services to which they are entitled. The

WCLC fills a great unmet need. The grant

from Equal Justice supports a wide variety of

civil legal services, allowing the WCLC to

handle 192 cases in FY 2021.

Medical-Legal Partnership at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center

received a grant from Equal Justice to

operate a Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP).

MLPs are forming across the country to

address health-harming legal issues.

Cheyenne Regional’s MLP handles various

legal matters ranging from landlord-tenant

cases where safe housing is at issue to

denials of public benefits that leave

individuals unable to afford healthcare. The

MLP incorporates a lawyer into a medical

team to identify and address patients’ legal

192 cases handled in 2021


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needs in order to improve their health. The MLP partners with HealthWorks medical clinic in Cheyenne,

and also receives referrals from other health

care providers. In FY 2021, the MLP

attorney handled 70 legal matters.

Teton County Access to Justice Center

The Teton County Access to Justice

Center (“TCATJC”) was launched in

2012 with funding from Equal Justice.

The TCATJC is housed in space

donated by Teton County and shares

the space with the county law library.

The TCATJC provides legal

information and self-help services to

individuals in Teton, Sublette, and

Lincoln Counties. Eligible applicants

may also apply for legal

representation through a panel of

private contract attorneys who

provide legal services at no charge to

the client. The services are paid at a

reduced rate from the Equal Justice grant

funds. In FY 2021, the TCATJC provided

legal assistance in 76 cases.



Judiciary

Financial Summary

The revenue generated from filing fees that

fund Equal Justice has declined significantly

over the past several years. We have been able

to offset some of the decreased revenue

through new sources of funding and by

reducing our staff. We maintain a vacant Staff

Attorney/Pro Bono Coordinator position.

Additional Revenue

In 2015, Equal Justice began receiving

additional funding from the increase in pro hac

vice fees paid by out-of-state attorneys. The

fees are used to supplement our grants.

We receive VOCA (Victims of Crime Act)

funds; however, we received a reduction in

VOCA funding for FY 2021.

We receive a grant from the Corporation for

National & Community Service to manage our

AmeriCorps VISTA program.

As access-to-justice programs across the

country are faced with decreased sources of

revenue, we will continue to explore additional

ways to support the important work of our

program and our grantees.

Summary of Expenditures

Salaries and Benefits $339,304

Office Expense and

Travel $8,825

Telecommunications $3,550

Grants*

Legal Aid of Wyoming $379,907

Wyoming Coalition Against

Domestic Violence &

Sexual Assault $672,551

Wyoming Children’s

Law Center $84,000

Teton County Access to

Justice Center $62,395

Cheyenne Regional

Medical Center $85,731

Special Services $15,670

Total* $1,651,933

*Includes the June 2021 grant expenditures which

were paid in July 2021.

Vision - Equal access to justice for the people of Wyoming.

Mission - Serving the legal needs of low-income persons of Wyoming through community

engagement, education, information, and expansion of legal services throughout the state.

Equal Justice Wyoming

2300 Capitol Ave. 1st Floor, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002

www.equaljustice.wy.gov

Judiciary

judiciary page 1

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