Legal Tech Community Gathers at LSC’s Innovations in Technology Conference

NEW ORLEANS – The Legal Services Corporation’s Innovations in Technology Conference, the largest event dedicated to expanding access to justice through technological innovation, will be held January 8-11 in New Orleans. Professionals from across the country will gather to share their expertise in using technology to provide civil legal assistance to low-income Americans.

The 19th annual Innovations in Technology Conference, formerly known as the Technology Initiative Grants Conference, will bring together technologists, legal aid advocates, court personnel, pro bono coordinators, and other professionals to showcase technology projects and tools being implemented across the United States and around the world. More than 400 attendees will cultivate project ideas to promote further expansion of civil legal services to those most in need. 

In 2017, 71% of low-income households experienced at least one civil legal problem, including issues with domestic violence, housing conditions, and health care. Studies consistently show that a high percentage of the civil legal needs of low-income people are not being met.

 “Over the past few years, technology has driven significant progress in bolstering the delivery of civil legal services,” said LSC President Jim Sandman. “This conference brings together hundreds of leaders in the legal tech community to promote new initiatives to expand access to justice.”

While the conference is sold out, those interested in watching the event will have livestream access to multiple panels via LSC’s Facebook page. Conference highlights include:

  • Data Camp: Jumpstarting data-driven innovation for your organization and clients.
    This session is for anyone, even non-tech/data people, interested in how to use data to improve an organization’s work.
  • Older Adults & Technology: The Changing Landscape of Access to Justice for Seniors.
    More than seven million seniors are living in poverty, and more than half of senior households experience at least one legal problem in a year. This session will focus on the growing use of technology among older adults and how technology can improve legal services delivery to this population.
  • Content is King...If Your Users Can Find It.
    The content of statewide legal aid websites is a powerful tool for anyone trying to solve a legal problem. These websites offer important legal information, easy-to-use online intake and triage, and automated forms. But great content alone is not sufficient This session will highlight how  to make great content readily accessible to users.
  • Building the Legal Help AI Infrastructure: Taxonomies, Datasets, and Classifiers.
    Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds great promise for legal services and access to justice: helping people spot legal issues, offering the best resources for their problems, and assisting lawyers to triage and serve clients more effectively. To achieve this AI-powered future, crucial infrastructure work must be undertaken. This session will explore the groundwork underway to create an ecosystem of AI-powered legal services.

The conference will be held at the JW Marriott New Orleans, 614 Canal Street. For a complete list of session descriptions and presenters, visit the conference page.

See a list of livestreamed sessions here. Follow @LSCtweets and the hashtag #LSCITCon on Twitter to join the conversation.

Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974. For 50 years, LSC has provided financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 131 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.