Talk Justice, an LSC Podcast, Episode 10: Legal Tech Experts Share Takeaways on Innovation and Access to Justice

WASHINGTON – The latest episode of the Legal Services Corporation’s (LSC) “Talk Justice” podcast rounds out LSC’s recent Innovations in Technology Conference with a conversation about how this year’s conference fits into this greater historic moment as the legal community adapts to the many challenges posed by COVID-19.  

LSC Emerging Leaders Council member Jason Tashea sat down with three legal technology leaders: Steven McGarrity, executive director at Community Legal Aid Services (Northeast Ohio); Cat Moon, director of innovation design and lecturer in law at Vanderbilt Law School; and Ilenia Sánchez-Bryson, chief information officer at Legal Services of Greater Miami. Their discussion concluded the 2021 Innovations in Technology Conference. 

This special live edition of “Talk Justice” wraps up the conference by reflecting on the conference as a whole – what attendees learned and how lawyers and legal professionals can innovate in the face of the pandemic’s challenges. 

“There is a fire and momentum that I think was definitely spurred on by the pandemic,” shares Moon. “And in this weird way, I think that we got a sense of confidence about what we can do that didn’t exist before. And I think that’s going to be really, really, really hard to put back into the bottle when we get to the other side.” 

The speakers note that the need for experimentation and collaboration extends across the legal community. Innovations brought about by the pandemic and social distancing requirements have fostered extensive growth in the effort to expand access to justice. This year’s conference was unlike any before it, but the virtual format mirrors similar changes that the courts, legal services providers and other legal professionals are undertaking. 

“Talk Justice” episodes are available on LSC’s website and on Spotify, Stitcher, Apple and other popular podcast apps. The podcast is sponsored by LSC’s Leaders Council. 
 
Future episodes of Talk Justice will explore legal aid’s importance to American business and how to better meet the civil legal needs of disaster survivors.