Leveraging Technology for             Access to Justice Efforts

This session, featuring panelists Kevin Mulcahy and Tim Baran, focuses on the role of technology in advancing access to justice, particularly for those facing civil legal problems without adequate assistance.

Key Takeaways:

• The Justice Gap: The session highlights the significant justice gap, with a large percentage of low-income households experiencing legal issues and receiving inadequate or no legal help.  

• Technology as a Force Multiplier: Technology is presented as a tool to extend the reach of legal services, simplify processes, and empower individuals through self-help resources.  

• Inclusive Design: The importance of inclusive design is emphasized, including mobile-first tools, multilingual support, and co-design with the communities being served.   

• Technology as a Practice: The session stresses that technology is not a one-time solution but an ongoing practice that requires trust, equity, partnership, and continuous improvement.  

• Law School Involvement: Law schools are increasingly involved in training students to develop legal applications, equipping future lawyers with skills to leverage technology for access to justice.

• Types of Legal Apps: The session categorizes the types of apps being built, including quick answer providers, one-to-one counselors, screening and intake systems, and calculators.