News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ypsilanti, MI — Legal Services Vermont (LSV) has released a new practical guide designed to help legal aid professionals—especially self-described non-“techies”—get started creating Docassemble guided interviews. Titled Docassemble Guided Interview Tips for Legal Aiders — A guide for non-‘techies’ interested in creating Docassemble guided interviews using the Suffolk LIT Lab’s Document Assembly Line, the guide is being shared with the broader legal services community through the Legal Services National Technology Assistance Project (LSNTAP).

Created as part of a Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Technology Initiative Grant (TIG), the guide distills LSV’s hands-on experience building guided interviews that turn court forms into accessible, user-friendly tools for the public. LSV developed its interviews using Document Assembly Line created by Suffolk LIT Lab, a nationally recognized leader in access-to-justice technology.

“Our goal was to lower the barrier for legal aid staff who want to experiment with document automation but may not see themselves as technical,” said Kris Surette, Web Manager for LSV. “This guide focuses on practical tips we learned by doing—what worked, what didn’t, and how to get from a fillable PDF to a guided interview that actually helps users.”

LSV’s first six guided interviews focused on some of Vermont’s most frequently used court forms and were based on existing fillable PDFs. Users can complete an interview online and then download, print, or email the finished PDF for filing with the court. Building on that foundation, LSV is now expanding into MS Word–based pleadings, including documents such as answers to eviction complaints.

In addition to LSV’s own insights, the guide points readers to comprehensive documentation from Suffolk LIT Lab and Docassemble, with curated links included throughout to support deeper learning.

By sharing this resource through LSNTAP, Legal Services Vermont hopes to support legal aid and legal services organizations nationwide that are exploring guided interviews to improve efficiency, consistency, and access to justice.

About Legal Services Vermont

Legal Services Vermont provides free civil legal assistance to Vermonters with low incomes and works to expand access to justice through innovation, partnerships, and technology.

About Legal Services National Technology Assistance Project

LSNTAP supports the legal aid community by providing training, resources, and technical assistance focused on effective and equitable use of technology.
 

The guide is available through LSV's website: https://www.legalservicesvt.org/building-legal-aid-guided-interviews-with-docassemble  and in the Toolkit section of LSNTAP's website: https://www.legalservicesvt.org/building-legal-aid-guided-interviews-with-docassemble.