Improving Access to Justice: Data-Driven Innovation Using Emerging Technologies
Symposium: Friday, February 7, 2025 (8:30am to 3:00pm)
It is generally recognized that everyone should have equal access to the justice system. Yet, the U.S. faces a serious civil justice crisis known as the civil justice gap—that is, there is a significant amount of unmet need for civil legal assistance. Addressing the justice gap requires a data-driven innovative approach. In this symposium, we bring together experts to consider how technology and data can help. These experts examine how to use data to better understand gaps in our understanding of justice needs. And, they engage technological innovations to remove barriers and promote access. Together, we will look to the future with a people-centered approach contemplating different pathways for improving access to justice for all.
Hosted by: Ashley Votruba, Ryan Sullivan, Leen-Kiat Soh, Ashok Samal, Lisa Pytlik Zillig, & Deepti Joshi
Hosted at: The University of Nebraska College of Law (1875 N 42nd St, Lincoln, NE 68503; room TBD)
Funded by: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Grand Challenges Initiative; registration is free
Approved for 3.75 hours of CLE, including 1 hour of ethics.
In person and Zoom attendance options are available.
Registration for the event is now closed. If you have not registered but would like to attend via Zoom please email ashley.votruba@unl.edu.
Schedule
Friday, February 7th, 2025:
8:30am Check in (light breakfast provided)
9:00am Introductory remarks
9:15am Harnessing Data and Innovation to Advance People-Centered Justice, Kathryn Grace Hulseman
10:00am The Above the Line Network: Bridging the Gap of Access to Justice for the Middle Class, Roya Samarghandi
10:45am Break (refreshments provided)
11:00am A Thousand Flowers Blooming: The Intersection of Regulatory Reform, Tech & Access to Justice, Jessica Bednarz
11:45am Lunch break (lunch included)
12:30pm Access to Good-Enough Justice: Scaling Legal Services through Technology and Innovation, Nick Hafen
1:15pm Open Doors to Justice: Looking Ahead to the Role of AI and Technology in Bridging the Access to Justice Gap, Quinten Steenhuis
2:00pm Break (refreshments provided)
2:15pm Concluding panel discussion with audience Q&A
2:45pm Concluding remarks
Note: Each talk will consist of an approximately 30 minute presentation and 15 minutes for Q&A
Speakers
Kathryn Grace Hulseman, Senior Research Associate, World Justice Project
Talk Title: Harnessing Data and Innovation to Advance People-Centered Justice
Grace is a Senior Research Associate on the World Justice Project’s Access to Justice Research Team where she has contributed to research on the prevalence and impacts of civil legal needs, the justice gap, and opportunities for innovation in the justice sector. In addition to working with WJP, Grace is a Young Justice Leader with NYU’s Pathfinders for Peaceful, Justice, and Inclusive Societies.
Roya Samarghandi, Chief Advocacy & Innovation Officer, The Chicago Bar Foundation
Talk Title: The Above the Line Network: Bridging the Gap of Access to Justice for the Middle Class
As the Chief Advocacy & Innovation Officer, Roya Samarghandi plays a key role in the CBF’s mission through her work on legislative and policy advocacy and innovation initiatives. Roya is an alumna of the CBF's legal incubator program, the Justice Entrepreneurs Project. Prior to joining the CBF, Roya ran her own practice, Carmel Law, LLC, where she provided a variety of legal services for her clients, in both a full scope and limited scope capacity and at an affordable rate.
Jessica Bednarz, Director of Legal Services and the Profession, Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS)
Talk Title: A Thousand Flowers Blooming: The Intersection of Regulatory Reform, Tech & Access to Justice
Jessica Bednarz is responsible for leading the vision and strategy of IAALS’ work around innovation, regulation, reform, and evolution of the delivery of legal services and the legal profession more generally. Her work is largely focused on two areas—regulatory reform and servicing the middle class. Prior to working at IAALS, Jessica led a wide range of innovation initiatives at the Chicago Bar Association and practiced family law, both as a solo practitioner and at a small family law firm in Chicago. Jessica received her JD and family law certificate, cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law and a BS from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
Nick Hafen, Head of Legal Technology Education, Brigham Young University Law School
Talk Title: Access to Good-Enough Justice: Scaling Legal Services through Technology and Innovation
Nick Hafen is the Head of Legal Technology Education at BYU Law School and leads the development of the Law School's legal technology curriculum, including LawX and the Legal Technology Initiative. Nick also supports faculty members engaged in tech-related research and serves as faculty advisor for the Law, Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship (LITE) student organization. Nick earned a J.D. at Brigham Young University and practiced bankruptcy and corporate law in private practice prior to joining the BYU Law Library.
Quinten Steenhuis, Co-director, Suffolk Legal Innovation and Technology Lab at Suffolk University Law School
Talk Title: Open Doors to Justice: Looking Ahead to the Role of AI and Technology in Bridging the Access to Justice Gap
Quinten Steenhuis is the co-director of the Suffolk University Law School’s Legal Innovation and Technology Lab and founder and CEO of Lemma Legal Consulting. His work focuses on closing the access to justice gap with technology, especially interactive tools that help people who cannot afford an attorney. Quinten’s work has been recognized by national media, including the ABA Journal and the New York Times. In 2022, his work on the Massachusetts Defense for Eviction tool was recognized in a joint press release by the White House and the Department of Justice. He has been named an ABA “Legal Rebel” and an honoree of the Fastcase 50 award.