Join guest host Linda Odermott as she interviews Colorado Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart.
Justice Hart opens up about what inspired her to pursue a seat on the state’s highest court—not the robe or the title—but a deep commitment to fixing what’s broken in our justice system.
She shares the behind-the-scenes efforts to make the law more accessible for everyone, from advocating for the development of Colorado’s Licensed Legal Paraprofessional (LLP) program to pushing for plain language in legal forms.
Key Takeaways
✅ Why Justice Hart believes state Supreme Courts must lead the way in reform
✅ The surprising story behind Colorado’s LLP program—and how it took a village to make it happen
✅ What real “access to justice” looks like from a systems perspective
✅ The role of paralegals in pro bono and legal advocacy—even without an LLP license
✅ Why changing legal language might be one of the most important reforms yet, so that the courts’ hands are not tied with language such as “form must include…”
About the Guest
Justice Melissa Hart has served on the Colorado Supreme Court since 2017. Prior to joining the Court, Justice Hart was a professor at the University of Colorado Law School, where she directed the Byron R. White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law.
Throughout her years as a professor, Justice Hart maintained an active pro bono practice, writing amicus briefs in appellate courts and representing clients through Metro Volunteer Lawyers. Her teaching and scholarship focused on access to justice, constitutional law, judicial decision making, legal ethics, employment discrimination, and civil procedure.
Justice Hart earned her bachelor’s degree from Harvard-Radcliffe College and returned to study at Harvard Law School, where she was the Articles Editor for the Harvard Law Review and Book Review Editor on the Harvard Women’s Law Journal. After graduating from law school in 1995, she clerked for Judge Guido Calabresi of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and for Justice John Paul Stevens on the United States Supreme Court. She practiced law for several years in Washington, D.C., including as a Trial Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Justice Hart and her husband, Kevin Traskos, have two children and two dogs.
Meet the Podcast Guest Host
Linda Odermott, RP and Oregon Certified Paralegal, has extensive experience working on access to justice initiatives and regulation reforms, particularly in licensed paralegal programs, including:
- OSB (Oregon State Bar) Legal Technician Task Force (2013 – 2015)
- OSB Licensing Paraprofessionals Working Group, Futures Task Force, and Regulation Committee (2016 – 2018)
- Chair of the Admissions & Education Workgroup of the OSB Paraprofessional Licensing Implementation Committee
- Member of OSB Committee of Paralegal Assessors
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