Podcasts about access to justice

This bonus content is a reading from Platypus, the CASTAC Blog. The full post by Nicole Ahoya can be read at https://blog.castac.org/2026/05/tech-ing-the-justice-gap-and-or-reimagining-access-to-justice-in-africa/. About the post: Access to justice has increasingly become a focus in international development, shaping new justice initiatives in countries in the so-called Global South. Often framed as a “justice gap” having caused a “justice crisis,” questions have not only arisen how to generate data on and measure this gap, but also about how to close it, e.g. by “teching” it through AI. Drawing on ongoing ethnographic research, this piece examines how such “justice crisis” narratives and approaches to deal with them both expose and shape understandings of justice. Taking Kenya as an example, data-driven justice systems and technologies, such as AI, illustrate both the promise and tensions of such developments. Rather than treating the justice gap as a purely technical problem, the post asks how “desirable futures” of justice are imagined, whose knowledge counts, and who gets to participate in shaping them.

Attorney Brittany Panetta discusses the challenges of accessing justice in civil litigation, highlighting the importance of taking on complex cases and advocating for vulnerable clients. She shares insights on case selection, resource management, client communication, and the need for systemic changes to ensure better access to justice for all. Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & welcome with Lindsey Busfield and Brittany Panetta 00:50 – Brittany's practice: mass torts, product liability, wildfire, and abuse cases 02:20 – Hardest cases for injured people to find representation 03:40 – How the firm vets and selects complex cases 05:00 – Why many firms decline cases: resources, staff, and upfront costs 06:50 – Key resources needed for long-term complex litigation 08:40 – Client communication challenges in sensitive, long-lasting cases 10:30 – What motivates lawyers to handle these cases for years 11:50 – Working with vulnerable clients and shaping legal strategy 13:20 – Advocacy, legislation, and long-term systemic impact 15:00 – Mindset and resource shifts for firms taking on mass torts 16:40 – Partnering with other plaintiff firms and building networks 18:00 – What needs to change for better access to justice 19:00 – Closing remarks and call to action See all episodes or subscribe to the Personal Injury Marketing Minute here: https://optimizemyfirm.com/podcasts/. Why is access to justice important in legal cases, and why do some firms decline certain types of cases? Access to justice is crucial because it ensures that everyone has the right to legal representation and a fair trial. Some firms decline certain cases due to various reasons such as complexity, lack of resources, or potential financial risk. However, some lawyers choose to take on these cases to advocate for those who may not have the means to seek justice otherwise. What are some of the challenges that injured individuals face in finding representation for their cases? Injured individuals often face challenges in finding representation for cases that involve complex legal issues or large corporations. Some cases may not develop as expected, leading to difficulties in moving forward with legal action. Additionally, cases involving abuse, particularly in California, present unique challenges in finding representation due to the sensitive nature of such cases. How does a law firm determine which cases to take on, especially when dealing with a wide range of complex legal matters? Law firms typically set criteria for the types of cases they can handle and conduct thorough evaluations before agreeing to represent a client. Factors such as confirming injuries, assessing the merits of the case, and ensuring transparency with clients play a crucial role in determining which cases to take on. It is essential for firms to involve clients in the decision-making process and prioritize their best interests. What are the main factors that hold back attorneys from taking on certain cases and why is it important to have sufficient resources to support these cases? Attorneys may be hesitant to take on certain cases due to limitations in resources, both in terms of staffing and finances. Cases that require significant upfront costs, such as mass torts, can pose challenges for firms that may not have the necessary resources to support such cases effectively. Adequate resources are essential to ensure that clients receive the representation they deserve and to navigate complex legal processes successfully. How do attorneys ensure effective communication with clients throughout the legal process, especially in cases that may take years to resolve? Effective communication with clients is crucial in complex cases that may span several years. Attorneys prioritize keeping clients informed, addressing their questions and concerns, and providing regular updates on case progress. Maintaining transparency and involving clients in the decision-making process helps ensure that they understand the legal proceedings and feel supported throughout the duration of the case. What motivates attorneys to take on complex cases that require years of dedication and perseverance? Attorneys are often motivated by the positive impact they can make on clients’ lives and the opportunity to achieve justice for those who may not have otherwise received it. Successful outcomes and the ability to help vulnerable individuals or marginalized groups drive attorneys to stay dedicated and enthusiastic throughout the lengthy legal process. The satisfaction of achieving justice for clients who may have been overlooked or underserved is a significant motivator for attorneys in complex cases. How can attorneys advocate for vulnerable client groups and shape legal strategy to support those who may not have a voice within the legal system? Attorneys can advocate for vulnerable client groups by actively engaging in legislative efforts, monitoring legal developments, and shaping legal strategies that prioritize the needs of marginalized individuals. By staying informed about changes in legislation and court rulings, attorneys can work to ensure that laws and policies support the pursuit of justice for those who may have been historically underserved. Advocacy efforts within the legal system can help create lasting change and provide a voice for those who may otherwise go unheard. What resource and mindset shifts are necessary for firms to take on more complex litigation cases and advocate for those facing significant legal challenges? Firms looking to take on more complex litigation cases must focus on resource allocation, building strategic partnerships, and leveraging the expertise of other attorneys in the field. Collaborating with other firms, maintaining a strong network within the legal community, and prioritizing client service are essential for successfully navigating complex cases. By fostering a collaborative mindset and investing in the necessary resources, firms can expand their capacity to take on challenging cases and advocate effectively for their clients. What changes are needed in the legal system to ensure that access to justice is not solely dependent on individual attorneys’ willingness or ability to take on cases? To enhance access to justice, there is a need for legislative support and advocacy to recognize the importance of plaintiffs’ firms in providing legal representation. By advocating for changes in legislation and promoting a collaborative approach within the legal community, attorneys can work towards ensuring that access to justice is a fundamental right in civil cases. Building alliances, advocating for systemic improvements, and upholding ethical standards within the legal profession are essential steps in promoting equal access to justice for all individuals.

Access to justice is not just a gap. It is a scale problem. In episode 613 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Zach Zarnow, Executive Director of Scale Justice, about what it really takes to reach more people without relying on more lawyers.  Zach explains why traditional approaches like pro bono work, while valuable, are not enough to meet the overwhelming demand for legal help. Instead, Scale Justice focuses on building systems, tools, and partnerships that expand the reach of legal services through technology and collaboration.  They explore how courts, legal aid organizations, and community groups can work together to meet people earlier in their legal journeys, why designing for real user needs matters more than ever, and how thoughtful use of technology can increase impact without sacrificing quality.  If you are thinking about how to serve more clients, build more efficient systems, or rethink the role of your firm in a larger ecosystem, this episode offers a broader and more scalable way to approach legal services.  Listen to our previous episodes on Access to Justice, Technology & Scaling Legal Help.  #601: Beyond Chatbots: Using Agentic AI in Law Firm Intake, with Matt Spiegel Apple | Spotify | LTN  #590: Innovating Without Overwhelm: Practical AI Tips for Lawyers, with Graydon Trusler Apple | Spotify | LTN   #607: The Future of Law Firm Business Models in the Age of AI, with Jordan Furlong Apple | Spotify | LTN  #600: Designing a Law Firm You Actually Want to Run, with Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  Links from the episode:  www.scalejustice.org  Check out the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4A3J-UjAdjQ    Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!    If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.    Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.    Chapters / Timestamps:  00:00 – Introduction  04:40 – Meet Zach Zarnow  06:20 – The Access to Justice Problem  07:50 – Why More Lawyers Isn't the Answer  09:15 – Building Systems That Actually Scale  11:10 – Partnering Instead of Selling  12:30 – What It Means to Be Mission-Driven  14:00 – Where the Courts Fit In  15:30 – Solving Legal Problems Before They Escalate  17:00 – Catching Legal Issues Early  18:20 – Technology as a Force Multiplier  19:10 – The Risks of DIY Legal AI  21:05 – Who Should (and Shouldn't) Use These Tools  22:45 – Why Most Legal Tech Should Be Treated as an Experiment  23:50 – What the Future Could Look Like  25:00 – Ways Lawyers Can Contribute  26:30 – Closing Thoughts 

Editor Barbara October joined Lester Kiewit to highlight three of GroundUp’s feature stories this week, starting in Ravensmead where backyard dwellers say they are being overlooked in the City of Cape Town’s latest housing project, raising concerns about fairness in allocation. The conversation then turned to the case of Juma Igiranieza, with the police torture matter provisionally withdrawn after the court failed to secure a Kinyarwanda interpreter, delaying justice once again. The final story took listeners to Lesotho’s Kome Caves, where families continue to live in historic sandstone dwellings, balancing cultural heritage with the realities of limited services and economic opportunity. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/xGkqLbT or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/f9Eeb7i Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the Future of Texas series in partnership with Texas 2036, this episode explores how Texas courts and the justice system must evolve to serve a rapidly growing state. In this episode of Texas Talks, host Brad Swail is joined by Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, and Luis Soberon, Senior Policy Advisor and In House Counsel at Texas 2036, for a forward-looking conversation about the future of courts, access to justice, and judicial reform in Texas. As Texas adds more residents, more businesses, and more complexity to its economy, the demands on the justice system are growing as well. Chief Justice Jefferson and Soberon discuss how population growth affects everything from family law and criminal dockets to business disputes and court backlogs — and why the state must modernize now if it wants to preserve public trust and timely access to justice by 2036. The conversation also examines how Texas courts have already evolved through electronic filing, virtual hearings, and greater public transparency, while also looking ahead to the next wave of change driven by AI, data systems, and digital tools that could make the justice system more accessible and more efficient. The discussion also covers: • Why access to justice still depends too heavily on who can afford a lawyer • How legal aid, pro bono work, and technology can help narrow that gap • The role of e-filing, courtroom livestreams, and digital systems in modernizing courts • How AI could improve legal access and court administration without replacing human judgment • Why Texas may need more courts, more judges, and stronger court funding as the state grows • Whether partisan judicial elections still make sense in a more populous and polarized Texas • Why court data and transparency are essential to understanding backlog, performance, and reform • How simple changes like text reminders and clearer notices can improve compliance and reduce harm • Why backlog reduction and access to justice may be the clearest markers of success by 2036 Chief Justice Jefferson argues that Texas should aim to become a national leader in ensuring every resident can protect their most basic rights in court, while Soberon emphasizes that better data, smarter administration, and sustained investment will be critical if the justice system is going to keep pace with Texas's future. Through the Future of Texas podcast series, Texas 2036 brings together diverse perspectives as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing our state over the next ten years. The views expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Texas 2036, its staff or its Board of Directors. 00:00 — Introduction to the Future of Texas series and today's justice focus 00:29 — Why population growth puts pressure on Texas courts 01:14 — Guests introduced: Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson and Luis Soberon 02:26 — What it means for justice to evolve in a growing state 03:22 — Access to justice and why cost remains the biggest barrier 04:15 — Technology, remote hearings, and how courts have already changed 05:44 — Chief Justice Jefferson on modernizing the Texas court system 07:16 — AI, court technology, and the future of legal access 09:53 — The growing gap between people who have lawyers and people who do not 11:22 — Legal aid, self-help tools, and high-volume civil cases 15:20 — How AI could transform legal work without replacing judges or lawyers 20:04 — How growth affects court demand, specialization, and business courts 24:25 — More judges, more courts, and pressure on judicial elections 27:53 — Can judicial independence survive a hyperpartisan environment? 32:23 — What a chief justice actually does in the Texas court system 37:30 — The data problem in Texas courts and why it matters 41:06 — How better data could reveal backlog, performance, and reform needs 47:30 — Transparency, text reminders, and making courts easier to navigate 53:08 — State policy changes needed to modernize Texas justice 56:16 — The one metric that will show whether Texas got it right by 2036 Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@TexasTalks

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The Government has sought to limit Access to Justice via their public consultation on the regulation of costs payable in matters prescribed on foot of section 294 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (Scale of Fees). But it turns out that the public are overwhelmingly (98%) opposed. So what now for the planning eejitry? Solicitor Fred Logue joins me to talk about the report that has given the government the results it did not want and what the implications might and might not be for planning, climate action, bohs jerseys and access to justice. I made up the bohs jersey bit, but would support a bill to ban them. The Report is here:https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/c168d034/Report_Summary_-_Scale_of_Fees_Submissions.pdf Will Holden joins us from Ebril, Kurdistan, Iraq:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154305070 Song by Cabin proceeds to Ionad Hind Rajab:https://cabin-music.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-ivy-house Support the Hind Rajab Centre here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/quick-thank-you-152402329 SpiceBag Hind Jajab Centre Jersey:https://spicebagmerch.com/

Question of Ethics: A Conversation on Courts and EthicsMarch 4th, 2026Courts stand at a crossroads between tradition andnecessity. On the one hand, we are guardians of legal boundaries, carefully distinguishing who may practice law and what constitutes legal advice. On the other hand, we are confronted with an undeniable reality: in many locationsaround our country, people with legal problems never reach the courthouse door, often because:DistanceThey live miles away from the courthouse or even any legal helpAffordabilityThey cannot afford to get the legal help they need RecognitionThey do not even see their problem as “legal” or the courthouse as a place that can help. As unmet legal needs grow, our community is asking courtsto do more, to do things differently, with fewer resources, and with fewer assumptions about how justice is accessed. These questions invite us to wrestle with uncomfortable issues. If non-attorney legal advocates are helping close critical legal gaps in selected areas around the country, is the currentlimitation on giving legal advice (Canon 1.7) still appropriate? Conversely, do some areas of law require stricter boundaries to protect the public?Can we continue to rely on courthouse-centered models, ormust courts extend their presence into the community in more sustained and meaningful ways? And as front-line staff increasingly become the first, and sometimes the only point of contact, how do we responsibly navigate that thin line between providing helpful information and giving permissible legal advice?Finally, this discussion challenges us to think about thefuture of the court's workforce itself. Expanding non-attorney legal advisors raises questions not only about service delivery, but about professional identity, training, liability, and career development within the courts.Are we prepared to redefine roles, invest in training newskills, and accept a more flexible vision of how we as court leaders serve the public? The answers to these questions may shape not just access to justice, but the very role of courts in the communities we serve.In this episode, we examine the expanding roles of non-attorney advocacy and community-based services. We look at the evolving role of court staff to meet people where they are. We ask the question can we reimagine access to justice? Today's PanelMaggie Humm Executive Director of the Alaska Legal Services Corporation in Anchorage.Sarah Carver Co-director of the Alaska Legal Services Corporation's Community Justice Workers Resource Center.Creadell Webb Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the 1st Judicial District Court, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Liz Rambo Trial Court Administrator for the Lane County Circuit Court, in Eugene, Oregon  Access the episode by going to the NACM website podcast link: ⁠https://www.nacmnet.org/podcasts⁠Become part of the Conversation. Submit your comments and questions to: ⁠ethics@nacmnet.orgJoin the Question of Ethics Conversation held after the Subcommittee meetings every fourth Thursday of the month at 2:00 pm ET.

Each year, as many as 250 million Americans face civil legal problems like eviction, debt collection, and substandard housing. These problems are disproportionately shouldered by racially and economically marginalized people, particularly women of color. Civil courts and legal aid organizations are supposed to protect their rights, yet more than 90 percent of low-income people receive inadequate or no legal assistance. Instead, access to justice is reserved for those who can afford its high price. For those who can't, the repercussions can be devastating, from homelessness and loss of public benefits to broken families and diminished health. Uncivil Democracy: How Access to Justice Shapes Political Power (Princeton UP, 2026) looks at the US civil justice system through the eyes of the people whose very citizenship is indelibly shaped by it. Jamila Michener and Mallory SoRelle show how civil legal problems, and the institutions meant to address them, greatly erode trust in the legal system among marginalized communities, undermining their broader sense of democratic citizenship and political standing. While legal representation offers vital protections, increased access to justice through an ever-growing supply of lawyers does not address the structural problems that generate demand for lawyers in the first place. Looking at cases involving unfair evictions and substandard housing, Michener and SoRelle demonstrate how community groups such as tenants' unions can fill this justice gap and provide the means to build political power that transforms the conditions that create precarity. Drawing on eye-opening qualitative evidence and a wealth of historical and survey data, Uncivil Democracy explains why collective organizing holds the greatest promise for altering the systems that create civil legal problems and exercising the political power necessary for meaningful change. Host Ursula Hackett is Reader in Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she specialises in the study of public policymaking and litigation in the US. A former British Academy Mid-Career Fellow, she is the author of the award-winning book,America's Voucher Politics: How Elites Learned to Hide the State (Cambridge University Press, 2020). Jamila Michener is Professor of Government and Public Policy at Cornell University and inaugural director of the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures. She is the author of the award-winning book,  Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2018). Mallory SoRelle is the Tony and Teddie Brown Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. She is the author of Democracy Declined: The Failed Politics of Consumer Financial Protection (University of Chicago Press, 2020), based on her award-winning doctoral dissertation.

Each year, as many as 250 million Americans face civil legal problems like eviction, debt collection, and substandard housing. These problems are disproportionately shouldered by racially and economically marginalized people, particularly women of color. Civil courts and legal aid organizations are supposed to protect their rights, yet more than 90 percent of low-income people receive inadequate or no legal assistance. Instead, access to justice is reserved for those who can afford its high price. For those who can't, the repercussions can be devastating, from homelessness and loss of public benefits to broken families and diminished health. Uncivil Democracy: How Access to Justice Shapes Political Power (Princeton UP, 2026) looks at the US civil justice system through the eyes of the people whose very citizenship is indelibly shaped by it. Jamila Michener and Mallory SoRelle show how civil legal problems, and the institutions meant to address them, greatly erode trust in the legal system among marginalized communities, undermining their broader sense of democratic citizenship and political standing. While legal representation offers vital protections, increased access to justice through an ever-growing supply of lawyers does not address the structural problems that generate demand for lawyers in the first place. Looking at cases involving unfair evictions and substandard housing, Michener and SoRelle demonstrate how community groups such as tenants' unions can fill this justice gap and provide the means to build political power that transforms the conditions that create precarity. Drawing on eye-opening qualitative evidence and a wealth of historical and survey data, Uncivil Democracy explains why collective organizing holds the greatest promise for altering the systems that create civil legal problems and exercising the political power necessary for meaningful change. Host Ursula Hackett is Reader in Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she specialises in the study of public policymaking and litigation in the US. A former British Academy Mid-Career Fellow, she is the author of the award-winning book,America's Voucher Politics: How Elites Learned to Hide the State (Cambridge University Press, 2020). Jamila Michener is Professor of Government and Public Policy at Cornell University and inaugural director of the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures. She is the author of the award-winning book,  Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2018). Mallory SoRelle is the Tony and Teddie Brown Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. She is the author of Democracy Declined: The Failed Politics of Consumer Financial Protection (University of Chicago Press, 2020), based on her award-winning doctoral dissertation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/public-policy

Each year, as many as 250 million Americans face civil legal problems like eviction, debt collection, and substandard housing. These problems are disproportionately shouldered by racially and economically marginalized people, particularly women of color. Civil courts and legal aid organizations are supposed to protect their rights, yet more than 90 percent of low-income people receive inadequate or no legal assistance. Instead, access to justice is reserved for those who can afford its high price. For those who can't, the repercussions can be devastating, from homelessness and loss of public benefits to broken families and diminished health. Uncivil Democracy: How Access to Justice Shapes Political Power (Princeton UP, 2026) looks at the US civil justice system through the eyes of the people whose very citizenship is indelibly shaped by it. Jamila Michener and Mallory SoRelle show how civil legal problems, and the institutions meant to address them, greatly erode trust in the legal system among marginalized communities, undermining their broader sense of democratic citizenship and political standing. While legal representation offers vital protections, increased access to justice through an ever-growing supply of lawyers does not address the structural problems that generate demand for lawyers in the first place. Looking at cases involving unfair evictions and substandard housing, Michener and SoRelle demonstrate how community groups such as tenants' unions can fill this justice gap and provide the means to build political power that transforms the conditions that create precarity. Drawing on eye-opening qualitative evidence and a wealth of historical and survey data, Uncivil Democracy explains why collective organizing holds the greatest promise for altering the systems that create civil legal problems and exercising the political power necessary for meaningful change. Host Ursula Hackett is Reader in Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she specialises in the study of public policymaking and litigation in the US. A former British Academy Mid-Career Fellow, she is the author of the award-winning book,America's Voucher Politics: How Elites Learned to Hide the State (Cambridge University Press, 2020). Jamila Michener is Professor of Government and Public Policy at Cornell University and inaugural director of the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures. She is the author of the award-winning book,  Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2018). Mallory SoRelle is the Tony and Teddie Brown Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. She is the author of Democracy Declined: The Failed Politics of Consumer Financial Protection (University of Chicago Press, 2020), based on her award-winning doctoral dissertation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/law

Each year, as many as 250 million Americans face civil legal problems like eviction, debt collection, and substandard housing. These problems are disproportionately shouldered by racially and economically marginalized people, particularly women of color. Civil courts and legal aid organizations are supposed to protect their rights, yet more than 90 percent of low-income people receive inadequate or no legal assistance. Instead, access to justice is reserved for those who can afford its high price. For those who can't, the repercussions can be devastating, from homelessness and loss of public benefits to broken families and diminished health. Uncivil Democracy: How Access to Justice Shapes Political Power (Princeton UP, 2026) looks at the US civil justice system through the eyes of the people whose very citizenship is indelibly shaped by it. Jamila Michener and Mallory SoRelle show how civil legal problems, and the institutions meant to address them, greatly erode trust in the legal system among marginalized communities, undermining their broader sense of democratic citizenship and political standing. While legal representation offers vital protections, increased access to justice through an ever-growing supply of lawyers does not address the structural problems that generate demand for lawyers in the first place. Looking at cases involving unfair evictions and substandard housing, Michener and SoRelle demonstrate how community groups such as tenants' unions can fill this justice gap and provide the means to build political power that transforms the conditions that create precarity. Drawing on eye-opening qualitative evidence and a wealth of historical and survey data, Uncivil Democracy explains why collective organizing holds the greatest promise for altering the systems that create civil legal problems and exercising the political power necessary for meaningful change. Host Ursula Hackett is Reader in Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she specialises in the study of public policymaking and litigation in the US. A former British Academy Mid-Career Fellow, she is the author of the award-winning book,America's Voucher Politics: How Elites Learned to Hide the State (Cambridge University Press, 2020). Jamila Michener is Professor of Government and Public Policy at Cornell University and inaugural director of the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures. She is the author of the award-winning book,  Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2018). Mallory SoRelle is the Tony and Teddie Brown Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. She is the author of Democracy Declined: The Failed Politics of Consumer Financial Protection (University of Chicago Press, 2020), based on her award-winning doctoral dissertation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each year, as many as 250 million Americans face civil legal problems like eviction, debt collection, and substandard housing. These problems are disproportionately shouldered by racially and economically marginalized people, particularly women of color. Civil courts and legal aid organizations are supposed to protect their rights, yet more than 90 percent of low-income people receive inadequate or no legal assistance. Instead, access to justice is reserved for those who can afford its high price. For those who can't, the repercussions can be devastating, from homelessness and loss of public benefits to broken families and diminished health. Uncivil Democracy: How Access to Justice Shapes Political Power (Princeton UP, 2026) looks at the US civil justice system through the eyes of the people whose very citizenship is indelibly shaped by it. Jamila Michener and Mallory SoRelle show how civil legal problems, and the institutions meant to address them, greatly erode trust in the legal system among marginalized communities, undermining their broader sense of democratic citizenship and political standing. While legal representation offers vital protections, increased access to justice through an ever-growing supply of lawyers does not address the structural problems that generate demand for lawyers in the first place. Looking at cases involving unfair evictions and substandard housing, Michener and SoRelle demonstrate how community groups such as tenants' unions can fill this justice gap and provide the means to build political power that transforms the conditions that create precarity. Drawing on eye-opening qualitative evidence and a wealth of historical and survey data, Uncivil Democracy explains why collective organizing holds the greatest promise for altering the systems that create civil legal problems and exercising the political power necessary for meaningful change. Host Ursula Hackett is Reader in Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she specialises in the study of public policymaking and litigation in the US. A former British Academy Mid-Career Fellow, she is the author of the award-winning book,America's Voucher Politics: How Elites Learned to Hide the State (Cambridge University Press, 2020). Jamila Michener is Professor of Government and Public Policy at Cornell University and inaugural director of the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures. She is the author of the award-winning book,  Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2018). Mallory SoRelle is the Tony and Teddie Brown Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. She is the author of Democracy Declined: The Failed Politics of Consumer Financial Protection (University of Chicago Press, 2020), based on her award-winning doctoral dissertation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Each year, as many as 250 million Americans face civil legal problems like eviction, debt collection, and substandard housing. These problems are disproportionately shouldered by racially and economically marginalized people, particularly women of color. Civil courts and legal aid organizations are supposed to protect their rights, yet more than 90 percent of low-income people receive inadequate or no legal assistance. Instead, access to justice is reserved for those who can afford its high price. For those who can't, the repercussions can be devastating, from homelessness and loss of public benefits to broken families and diminished health. Uncivil Democracy: How Access to Justice Shapes Political Power (Princeton UP, 2026) looks at the US civil justice system through the eyes of the people whose very citizenship is indelibly shaped by it. Jamila Michener and Mallory SoRelle show how civil legal problems, and the institutions meant to address them, greatly erode trust in the legal system among marginalized communities, undermining their broader sense of democratic citizenship and political standing. While legal representation offers vital protections, increased access to justice through an ever-growing supply of lawyers does not address the structural problems that generate demand for lawyers in the first place. Looking at cases involving unfair evictions and substandard housing, Michener and SoRelle demonstrate how community groups such as tenants' unions can fill this justice gap and provide the means to build political power that transforms the conditions that create precarity. Drawing on eye-opening qualitative evidence and a wealth of historical and survey data, Uncivil Democracy explains why collective organizing holds the greatest promise for altering the systems that create civil legal problems and exercising the political power necessary for meaningful change. Host Ursula Hackett is Reader in Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she specialises in the study of public policymaking and litigation in the US. A former British Academy Mid-Career Fellow, she is the author of the award-winning book,America's Voucher Politics: How Elites Learned to Hide the State (Cambridge University Press, 2020). Jamila Michener is Professor of Government and Public Policy at Cornell University and inaugural director of the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures. She is the author of the award-winning book,  Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2018). Mallory SoRelle is the Tony and Teddie Brown Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. She is the author of Democracy Declined: The Failed Politics of Consumer Financial Protection (University of Chicago Press, 2020), based on her award-winning doctoral dissertation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

Episode 139 | Tom Flynn SC on planning judicial reviews, costs caps and access to justiceIn Episode 139 of The Fifth Court, hosts Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL are joined by Tom Flynn SC, a leading planning and environmental law practitioner.The discussion examines the State's proposal to cap recoverable legal costs in planning judicial reviews, the policy rationale behind the measures, and the potential consequences for access to justice, equality of arms and Ireland's obligations under the Aarhus Convention.Key themesJudicial review and the reality behind infrastructure delay claimsProposed scale fees and their practical impact on applicantsEnvironmental litigation, expert evidence and cost recoveryFairness, constitutional rights and public law accountabilityDecisis.ie – Case law discussed (with thanks to section sponsor Charlton Solicitors):Doyle v Buckley – payment out of client funds following prolonged costs disputesCriminal Assets Bureau v Humphreys – freezing orders where funds are partly taintedCriminal Assets Bureau v X, Y and Z – unlawful access to family law records and consequences for proceeds-of-crime applicationsAlsoNominations are now open for the Irish Law Awards, closing 20 March 2026.Listen and Subscribe on all podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We welcome the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County to this month's episode. She has a lot to share about developments and initiatives she has undertaken to enhance court services, and she reveals a special connection the Circuit Court has to Chicago's own, Pope Leo XIV.IICLE® is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit based in Springfield, Illinois. We produce a wide range of practice guidance for Illinois attorneys and other legal professionals in all areas of law with the generous contributions of time and expertise from volunteer attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals.

In the second part of our conversation with Sabina Grigore, PhD candidate at the University of Amsterdam, we take a closer look at the discretionary power of prosecutors and how their decisions fundamentally shape access to justice.Building on the discussion of domestic prosecutions of international crimes, this episode focuses on prosecutors as institutional gatekeepers. Sabina explains how prosecutorial discretion determines what evidence is included in a case, whose experiences are legally recognised as victimhood, and which cases ultimately reach a judge. These decisions, often made long before any courtroom proceedings begin, have profound implications for both alleged perpetrators and survivors of atrocity crimes.The conversation unpacks how prosecutorial choices influence what can be considered a “just outcome,” highlighting the structural and human factors that shape legal processes in practice. Rather than viewing justice as a neutral or automatic outcome of the law, Sabina invites listeners to examine the layers of power, interpretation, and responsibility embedded within prosecutorial work.Throughout the episode, one message becomes clear: access to justice is mediated by institutions and individuals alike. Understanding how prosecutors operate — and the limits of their accountability — is essential to understanding where justice is enabled, constrained, or denied.What will you learn?How prosecutorial discretion shapes access to justiceWhat it means to view prosecutors as institutional gatekeepersHow evidence selection affects victims' recognition and legal outcomesWhy justice is shaped long before cases reach a courtroomWhat a “just outcome” means for victims and accused in practice

On this episode of Clarity on Tech, we look at how AI is reshaping access to justice in today's court ecosystem. We speak to three experts on the front lines to talk candidly about where AI tools are actually helping individuals, where they introduce new risks and biases, and what responsible use looks like when people's freedom, housing, and livelihoods are on the line.

Sateesh Nori joins us on The Geek in Review for an episode that flips the usual legal innovation conversation away from law firm efficiency and toward survival-grade help for people stuck in housing courts and legal aid queues. They open with news from Sateesh himself, he has started a new role with LawDroid, working with Tom Martin, and he frames the mission in plain terms. Legal tech should stop orbiting lawyers and start serving the person with the problem, especially the person who does not even know where to begin.Sateesh traces his path into law through debate, literature, politics, and a desire to push back on a family tradition of medicine. He describes his work as a long, continuous pursuit of fairness rather than a single turning point, and he admits the early myth that drew many into the profession, the dream of dramatic courtroom advocacy. The conversation quickly lands on the core tension, the legal system sells itself as rule of law and due process, yet ordinary people experience confusion, delay, and closed doors.From there, Sateesh offers his critique of the current AI gold rush in legal. Too many products promise “faster horses” for lawyers, while the access to justice gap remains untouched because the real bottleneck sits upstream. People need early guidance, clear pathways, and tools that reduce friction before problems metastasize into crises. He argues for technology as “life-preserving tools,” not lawyer toys, and pushes the industry to center tenants, families, and workers navigating high-stakes issues without counsel.The episode gets concrete with Depositron, a tool Sateesh helped bring to life with LawDroid to help renters recover security deposits through a simple, mobile-friendly workflow. He shares back-of-the-napkin math showing how large the problem is in New York, and why small, focused tools matter at scale. Greg ties the theme to earlier Geek in Review conversations about courts as a service, with the reminder that users experience the justice system like a bureaucracy, not a public utility built for them.Finally, Sateesh expands the lens to systemic redesign, triage and intake failures, burnout in legal aid, and the hard truth that the current one-on-one model leaves most people unserved. He explores funding ideas ranging from public investment to small-fee consumer tools that sustain themselves, and he sketches future-facing concepts like AI-assisted dispute resolution to provide faster closure. In the crystal ball segment, he predicts a reckoning for the legal market as AI reshapes client expectations, with major implications for law students, staffing models, and the profession's sense of purpose.Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack [Special Thanks to ⁠Legal Technology Hub⁠ for their sponsoring this episode.]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.comMusic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LawDroidLawAnswers AIDepositronRoxanne AI (Housing Court Answers)Housing Court AnswersJosef Sateesh Nori, The Augmented Lawyer (Substack)Transcript

When a single federal judge can freeze a president's policy nationwide, it raises big questions about checks and balances and democratic accountability. That's one reason nationwide injunctions have become central to some of today's most consequential legal battles—and why the Supreme Court's recent decision in Trump v. CASA matters.At a live recording, Stanford Legal host Diego Zambrano sat down with Professor Mila Sohoni, one of the country's leading scholars on federal courts and administrative law, for a conversation that moved from President Trump's day-one birthright-citizenship order to the Court's ruling in CASA, including how lower courts are now navigating the decision's new, but murky, constraints on nationwide injunctions.Sohoni breaks the protection these injunctions can offer when sweeping executive actions threaten millions, the risks of empowering individual judges to halt national policy, and the incentives for strategic forum shopping in a polarized era. She also explains how CASA reins in—but doesn't eliminate—the nationwide injunction, leaving room for broad relief through class actions, universal vacatur, and “complete relief” findings. The discussion sheds light on how the legal landscape is shifting after CASA, and why nationwide injunctions continue to shape major clashes between the courts and the executive branch.Links:Mila Sohoni >>> Stanford Law page“The Puzzle of Procedural Originalism” >>>  Stanford Law pageConnect:Episode Transcripts >>> Stanford Legal Podcast WebsiteStanford Legal Podcast >>> LinkedIn PageRich Ford >>>  Twitter/XPam Karlan >>> Stanford Law School PageDiego Zambrano >>> Stanford Law School PageStanford Law School >>> Twitter/XStanford Lawyer Magazine >>> Twitter/X (00:00:00) The Scope of Nationwide Injunctions(00:12:01) Epistemic and Democratic Arguments Against Nationwide Injunctions(00:28:54) The CASA Decision(00:29:37) Legal Basis and Impact of Executive Orders(00:38:20) Conclusion and Audience Questions Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

All in all, it's shown that the legal industry, traditionally known as a staid, conservative and risk-averse profession, is undergoing a period of rapid change and transformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All in all, it's shown that the legal industry, traditionally known as a staid, conservative and risk-averse profession, is undergoing a period of rapid change and transformation.

All in all, it's shown that the legal industry, traditionally known as a staid, conservative and risk-averse profession, is undergoing a period of rapid change and transformation.

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The great and the good fell over themselves to praise the recent John Collsion think-piece in the Irish Times. But nobody really stopped to ask "is he right?" In this Echo Chamber Podcast we are joined by Planning and Environmental Expert, Sabrina Joyce-Kemper and Solicitor, Fred Logue. Sabrina shares her lived access to justice experience as part of the Greater Dublin Drainage Project and Fred talks about the factual errors in the Collison piece. If you cannot attest a right, then you don't have it. Highly recommend you listen. New podcast with Gaza's first female photojournalist Eman Mohammed out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142429339

Imagine opening your phone, describing your dispute in simple language, and getting a clear, data-backed path to resolution—without weeks of confusion or a wall of legalese. That's the future we dig into with lawyer and legal tech builder Nicolas Torrent, who's helped design online arbitration platforms and shape Switzerland's legal tech ecosystem. Together we unpack how AI, user experience, and court data can turn access to justice from a maze into a map.We start with the hard truths: price uncertainty, physical distance, and cognitive barriers keep people out of court. Nicolas lays out how legal design—plain language, smart workflows, and visual cues—can guide users step by step. Then we zoom into the power of data: aggregated outcomes that help people understand their odds, timelines, and likely costs, improving settlement decisions and restoring trust. Speed isn't just convenience; it's an economic catalyst. When fair rulings arrive sooner, families and small businesses can move forward with confidence.We also explore a sustainable path. Nicolas outlines “profitable justice” that doesn't hide rights behind paywalls: think low-cost online small-claims settlement tools that offer realistic ranges based on similar cases, with an option to escalate to a human judge. Pair this with supervised trainee reviews, pro bono, and targeted lawyer services, and you get a flexible market that meets people where they are. Along the way, we tackle big-picture risks—AGI race dynamics, quantum acceleration, and geopolitical stakes—and why open source, distributed authority, security, and personal accountability must anchor any public system.Throughout, one principle stays constant: keep humans in control. AI should accelerate routine work, surface patterns, and translate complexity into clarity, while judges and lawyers apply judgment, empathy, and responsibility. If we design for inclusion, treat court data as a strategic public asset, and build with transparency, justice can become faster, fairer, and truly accessible. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend, and tell us: which part of the legal journey should be redesigned first?Send us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showCheck out "Protection for the Inventive Mind" – available now on Amazon in print and Kindle formats.

Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode with Sateesh Nori of Just-Tech, LLC:* AI and Technology Are Transforming Legal ServicesThe legal profession is undergoing a major shift as AI tools like RAG bots (Retrieval Augmented Generation) and platforms such as Paxton are making legal information and services more accessible, efficient, and affordable. These technologies can help lawyers serve more clients at scale and reduce overhead.* The Billable Hour Model Is Outdated and RestrictiveThe traditional billable hour model limits access to justice, incentivizes inefficiency, and perpetuates a pyramid scheme within law firms. Alternative fee arrangements, especially subscription models, empower lawyers to focus on value and client outcomes rather than time spent.* Access to Justice Remains a Critical ChallengeA vast majority of Americans' legal needs go unmet each year due to high costs and systemic barriers. Technology and new business models can help bridge this gap, allowing lawyers to serve the “latent legal market” and provide affordable legal help to more people.* Legal Education and Professional Culture Need ReformLaw schools and the broader legal culture are slow to adapt to technological change and alternative business models. There's a need for legal education to teach technology, business skills, and new ways of delivering legal services, rather than focusing solely on traditional paths.* Actionable Legal Information vs. Legal AdviceThe line between legal information and legal advice is blurry and often protectionist. AI tools can provide actionable legal information at scale, but regulatory frameworks need to evolve to allow innovation while protecting consumers. Lawyers should embrace these tools to remain competitive and relevant.__________________________Learn more about Just-Tech, LLC.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here's a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle's AI Teach-In if you couldn't make it live.I've partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gavel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an automation platform for law firms.Check out my other show, the Law for Kids Podcast.Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Law Subscribed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Sign up for the Subscription Seminar waitlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscriptionseminar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mathew Kerbis'⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ law firm ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscription Attorney LLC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get full access to Law Subscribed at www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

With as many as 120 million legal problems going unresolved in America each year, traditional lawyer-centered approaches to access to justice have consistently failed to meet the scale of need. But what if the solution is not just about providing more legal services — what if it lies in fundamentally rethinking who can provide legal help? In today's episode, host Bob Ambrogi is joined by two of the nation's leading researchers on access to justice: Rebecca Sandefur, professor and director of the Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics at Arizona State University and a faculty fellow at the American Bar Foundation, and Matthew Burnett, director of research and programs for the Access to Justice Research Initiative at the American Bar Foundation and an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center.  They argue that the access to justice crisis is actually a crisis of democracy. As cofounders of Frontline Justice, they have been pioneering research on "justice workers" — community members trained to help their neighbors navigate legal issues. Their recent article in the South Carolina Law Review, “Justice Work as Democracy Work: Reimagining Access to Justice as Democratization,” makes a provocative case: When people cannot access their own law, democracy itself fails. They present compelling evidence from Alaska, where nearly 200 community justice workers now serve over 40 rural communities, achieving a 1-to-25 return on investment while dramatically expanding legal aid's reach. In today's conversation, Sandefur and Burnett discuss the mounting evidence for justice worker effectiveness, including research from the U.K. demonstrating that trained non-lawyers often outperform attorneys on specialized tasks. They also discuss recent breakthroughs — including unprecedented support from both the Conference of Chief Justices and the American Bar Association — and examine what obstacles remain.  Sandefur and Burnett challenge the legal profession's monopoly on law, arguing that regulatory capture has estranged Americans from their own justice system. They envision justice workers as agents of democratization, expanding not just who can access legal help, but who can participate meaningfully in working democracy.  Related episodes: On the latest LawNext: Sociologist Rebecca Sandefur on Enhancing Access to Justice. On LawNext: How A New Kind of Justice Worker Could Narrow the Justice Gap, with Nikole Nelson, CEO of Frontline Justice.  On LawNext: CEO Nikole Nelson Returns with An Update on Frontline Justice's Mission to Empower Justice Workers and Bridge the Justice Gap.   Thank You To Our Sponsors This episode of LawNext is generously made possible by our sponsors. We appreciate their support and hope you will check them out. Paradigm, home to the practice management platforms PracticePanther, Bill4Time, MerusCase and LollyLaw; the e-payments platform Headnote; and the legal accounting software TrustBooks. Briefpoint, eliminating routine discovery response and request drafting tasks so you can focus on drafting what matters (or just make it home for dinner). Paxton, Rapidly conduct research, accelerate drafting, and analyze documents with Paxton. What do you need to get done today?    If you enjoy listening to LawNext, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.  

In today’s deep dive, a Central Illinois attorney was sanctioned for using A.I. in a brief with hallucinated cases.

Most people facing legal problems don't see them as legal at all—they see them as life problems with landlords, employers, or benefits agencies. That disconnect leaves millions without meaningful help, even when lawyers or courts are available.  In this episode, Zack Glaser talks with Professor Rebecca Sandefur (Arizona State University, American Bar Foundation) and Matthew Burnett (Georgetown Law, ABF) about their research on community justice workers and why people-centered solutions may be the key to closing the justice gap.  They explore how community justice workers operate in Alaska and beyond, why legal help doesn't always have to come from lawyers, and how rules around unauthorized practice of law are evolving. You'll hear evidence that trained non-lawyers can be just as effective—sometimes more so—than attorneys in resolving critical issues like housing or benefits.  Rebecca and Matthew also discuss what “success” really means: scalable, sustainable programs that meet people where they are, in their own communities, in their own language. And they argue that broadening access to justice isn't just about legal services—it's about strengthening democracy itself.  This episode is for lawyers, policymakers, and innovators who want to reimagine how legal help is delivered—and build a justice system that actually works for the people it's meant to serve.  Additionally, Zack and Stephanie talk about the upcoming ClioCon 2025 in Boston, MA. Check out the conference and get your tickets at cliocon.com. Use the code “LawyeristxClioCon” for a $300 discount on your ticket.    Listen to our other episodes on Access To Justice:  #129: The Business of Public Access to Law, with Tim Stanley   Apple | Spotify | LTN  #228: The Real Access-to-Justice Problem and How We Might Solve It, with Rebecca Sandefur  Apple | Spotify | LTN  #423: Bridging the Access to Justice Gap with Technology, with Sateesh Nori  Apple | Spotify | LTN  #440: A Path to Meaningful Regulations, with Rebecca Sandefur  Apple | Spotify | LTN  If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.    Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.    Chapters/Timestamps:  00:00 – Fall & ClioCon in Boston05:24 – Meet Rebecca Sandefur & Matthew Burnett06:50 – A People-Centered Justice Approach11:08 – Community Justice Workers Explained15:55 – Legal Help Without Lawyers20:31 – What Success Really Looks Like25:23 – State Models & Next Steps34:30 – Scaling Justice & Strengthening Democracy38:49 – Final Takeaways 

Most people facing legal problems don't see them as legal at all—they see them as life problems with landlords, employers, or benefits agencies. That disconnect leaves millions without meaningful help, even when lawyers or courts are available.  In this episode, Zack Glaser talks with Professor Rebecca Sandefur (Arizona State University, American Bar Foundation) and Matthew Burnett (Georgetown Law, ABF) about their research on community justice workers and why people-centered solutions may be the key to closing the justice gap.  They explore how community justice workers operate in Alaska and beyond, why legal help doesn't always have to come from lawyers, and how rules around unauthorized practice of law are evolving. You'll hear evidence that trained non-lawyers can be just as effective—sometimes more so—than attorneys in resolving critical issues like housing or benefits.  Rebecca and Matthew also discuss what “success” really means: scalable, sustainable programs that meet people where they are, in their own communities, in their own language. And they argue that broadening access to justice isn't just about legal services—it's about strengthening democracy itself.  This episode is for lawyers, policymakers, and innovators who want to reimagine how legal help is delivered—and build a justice system that actually works for the people it's meant to serve.  Additionally, Zack and Stephanie talk about the upcoming ClioCon 2025 in Boston, MA. Check out the conference and get your tickets at cliocon.com. Use the code “LawyeristxClioCon” for a $300 discount on your ticket.    Listen to our other episodes on Access To Justice:  #129: The Business of Public Access to Law, with Tim Stanley   Apple | Spotify | LTN  #228: The Real Access-to-Justice Problem and How We Might Solve It, with Rebecca Sandefur  Apple | Spotify | LTN  #423: Bridging the Access to Justice Gap with Technology, with Sateesh Nori  Apple | Spotify | LTN  #440: A Path to Meaningful Regulations, with Rebecca Sandefur  Apple | Spotify | LTN  If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.    Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.    Chapters/Timestamps:  00:00 – Fall & ClioCon in Boston05:24 – Meet Rebecca Sandefur & Matthew Burnett06:50 – A People-Centered Justice Approach11:08 – Community Justice Workers Explained15:55 – Legal Help Without Lawyers20:31 – What Success Really Looks Like25:23 – State Models & Next Steps34:30 – Scaling Justice & Strengthening Democracy38:49 – Final Takeaways  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About the Guest(s): Sateesh Nori is a multifaceted professional renowned in the legal field. He is a lawyer, law professor, and author, serving as a Senior Legal Innovation Strategist at Just-Tech LLC. With a substantial career spanning two decades, Sateesh has dedicated his efforts to representing tenants across New York City through various legal services organizations. His roles have also included Commissioner of the 2019 Charter Revision Commission and a member of the ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty. He co-created and co-teaches the Housing Rights Clinic at NYU Law. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and NYU Law, Sateesh has been celebrated as a Rising Star by the New York Law Journal and one of Queen's Power 50. His accolades include features in the spring 2021 ABA Journal as a Legal Rebel and receipt of the New York City Bar Association's Legal Services Award in 2023. Satish is the author of "Sheltered 20 Years in Housing Court,” and in 2024, he delivered a TEDx talk titled "How a Chatbot Can Stop Homelessness." Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of Paralegal Real Talk, a series contributing to the Paralegals on Fire podcast, host Linda Odermott sits down with the esteemed Sateesh Nori. The duo explores the evolving landscape of the legal profession, with a particular focus on how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing access to justice. Sateesh, an influential force in legal innovation, shares insights from his groundbreaking work, including the creation of apps aimed at empowering tenants in New York City. The discussion is a deep dive into how technology can reshape the traditional practices of law, providing a more equitable legal system. Takeaways : Sateesh Nori highlights the urgent need for legal innovation to address the crisis in access to justice, particularly through the use of AI. The apps, Roxanne AI and Depositron, demonstrate how technology can empower tenants and assist in recovering security deposits, bridging gaps in traditional legal services. Paralegals are encouraged to adopt AI tools in their practices to enhance their work efficiency and contribute to their communities. The legal profession is on the cusp of significant transformation, and embracing AI could lead to a more accessible and equitable system.   Get more free paralegal resources:  https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources  For all of our paralegal podcast episodes: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegals-on-fire-podcast 

Episode Summary: This episode of the Paralegals on Fire Podcast, hosted by Linda Odermott, takes listeners through Minnesota's innovative strides in enhancing access to justice through the Legal Paraprofessional Program (LPPS). Designed to boost the representation rate among underserved communities, the LPPS has already transitioned from a pilot to a permanent program as of January 2024, thanks to its promising results and positive feedback. Linda discusses the intricacies of this initiative, emphasizing the significance of Minnesota's data-driven approach that considers both qualitative and quantitative metrics to measure the program's effectiveness.   Key Takeaways: Minnesota's Legal Paraprofessional Program (LPPS) has evolved from a pilot initiative to a permanent, state-endorsed project. The program bridges the justice gap for low and modest-income individuals by enabling legal paraprofessionals to provide court representation. Quantitative and qualitative data collection has been crucial to evaluating the program's success and expanding its scope. Significant feedback from legal professionals and judiciary members indicates increased satisfaction and efficiency in court proceedings. There's potential for other states to emulate Minnesota's model, emphasizing data-driven reforms to expand access to legal services. Get more free paralegal resources:  https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegal-resources  For all of our paralegal podcast episodes: https://paralegal-bootcamp.com/paralegals-on-fire-podcast 

In this episode of BarBuzz, hosts Azya and Liz sit down with Zac Oswald, Brant Harrell, Anne-Louise Wirthlin, and Kyle Stack to dive deeper into “Access to Justice in the Age of AI,” the featured cover story in the May/June Tennessee Bar Journal.  Each guest contributed their insights and experiences to the article and share how they're using technology — from AI tools to the Justice Bus — to expand legal access, bridge rural gaps, and keep client data secure. https://www.tba.org/?pg=TennesseeBarJournal&pubAction=viewIssue&pubIssueID=55105&pubIssueItemID=351809

Court Leader's Advantage Podcast Episode June 17, 2025Civil case filings per capita have been declining nationally for decades. John Greacen and Alan Carlson explained this in their book, What Is Happening to State Trial Court Civil Filings?  The absolute number of civil filings in state courts has increased somewhat, however overall filings have not kept pace with population growth and have been in a long-term decline. Meanwhile, the National Center for State Courts' annual State of the State Courts poll reported that public trust and confidence in the state courts rose in 2024 to 63%. However, this figure has stagnated between 60% and 64% over the past four years.  These troubling numbers raise some important questions: How are people resolving their disputes? How are people now resolving their disputes? Are they, in fact, resolving them at all? One thing is certain: more and more, people are not turning to the courts, the traditional venue for peacefully settling conflict.What can we do about this trend?What can we do about this trend? How can we encourage the public to once again rely on America's courts to address their issues? This month, we explore how Arizona is tackling the challenge of Access to Justice. Arizona's Supreme Court's Access to Justice Committee has been working to rebuild public trustand encourage people to return to the courts as a reliable resource for resolving their disputes. Today's PanelThe Honorable Samuel A. Thumma, Judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals Mr. Kip Anderson, Court Administrator for the Mohave County Superior Court in Kingman Arizona, Dr. Kevin Ruegg, Chief Executive Officer for the Arizona Bar FoundationJudge Thumma is Chair of the Arizona Access to Justice Committee; both Dr. Ruegg and Kip Anderson aremembers of that committee. Become part of the Conversation. Submit your comments and questions to CLAPodcast@nacmnet.org

Tech commentator Alex Sims discusses access to justice, and how technology might improve it. 

This week on bigcitysmalltown, host Bob Rivard sits down with Sarah Dingivan, outgoing CEO of the San Antonio Legal Services Association (SALSA), and Gregory Zlotnick, board member for SALSA and faculty at St. Mary's University School of Law. Together, they discuss the organization's mission to bridge the gap in civil legal services for San Antonians with limited means—at a time when demand has never been higher.The conversation explores SALSA's evolution from a small volunteer initiative to an independent nonprofit, its response to the unique legal needs brought on by the pandemic, and the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable residents—including renters navigating eviction, families struggling with probate, and veterans seeking access to benefits. Dingivan and Zlotnick outline the barriers many encounter when trying to resolve legal problems, and the heavy reliance on a small pool of pro bono attorneys.They also discuss:The extent of unmet civil legal needs in San Antonio and Bexar CountyKey housing challenges, from rising rents to lack of legal protection for tenantsHow SALSA and local partners adapted services during COVID-19The importance of preventative legal work for preserving generational wealthResource constraints, funding gaps, and the sustainability of local legal aidOpportunities for San Antonio's legal community and civic leaders to strengthen the safety netFor listeners invested in the future of housing, local justice, and social infrastructure in San Antonio, this episode provides insight into both the immediate realities and long-term policy challenges facing the city's legal aid ecosystem.-- -- RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:▶️ #110. San Antonio's Model for Homelessness: Why Other Cities Look to Haven for Hope – Building on the conversation around civil legal services for vulnerable San Antonians, this episode highlights how Haven for Hope's innovative approach to homelessness is serving as a national model. Host Bob Rivard talks with outgoing CEO Kim Jeffries about the power of cross-sector collaboration, pandemic-era challenges, and what's next for both San Antonio and other cities facing similar crises. 

Since ChatGPT came on the scene, numerous incidents have surfaced involving attorneys submitting court filings riddled with AI-generated hallucinations—plausible-sounding case citations that purport to support key legal propositions but are, in fact, entirely fictitious. As sanctions against attorneys mount, it seems clear there are a few kinks in the tech. Even AI tools designed specifically for lawyers can be prone to hallucinations. In this episode, we look at the potential and risks of AI-assisted tech in law and policy with two Stanford Law researchers at the forefront of this issue: RegLab Director Professor Daniel Ho and JD/PhD student and computer science researcher Mirac Suzgun. Together with several co-authors, they examine the emerging risks in two recent papers, “Profiling Legal Hallucinations in Large Language Models” (Oxford Journal of Legal Analysis, 2024) and the forthcoming “Hallucination-Free?” in the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies. Ho and Suzgun offer new insights into how legal AI is working, where it's failing, and what's at stake.Links:Daniel Ho  >>> Stanford Law pageStanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) >>> Stanford University pageRegulation, Evaluation, and Governance Lab (RegLab) >>> Stanford University pageConnect:Episode Transcripts >>> Stanford Legal Podcast WebsiteStanford Legal Podcast >>> LinkedIn PageRich Ford >>>  Twitter/XPam Karlan >>> Stanford Law School PageStanford Law School >>> Twitter/XStanford Lawyer Magazine >>> Twitter/X (00:00:00) Introduction to AI in Legal Education (00:05:01) AI Tools in Legal Research and Writing(00:12:01) Challenges of AI-Generated Content (00:20:0) Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback(00:30:01) Audience Q&A

Thabo Shole-Mashao, standing in for Clement Manyathela, speaks to Advocate Justin Erasmus, Chair of the Personal Injury Plaintiff Lawyers Association (Pipla), Mbekezeli Benjamin, Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter, and McIntosh Polela, Spokesperson for the Road Accident Fund, about the Gauteng High Court's new mediation directive and its implications for civil cases. The Clement Manyathela Show is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station, weekdays from 09:00 to 12:00 (SA Time). Clement Manyathela starts his show each weekday on 702 at 9 am taking your calls and voice notes on his Open Line. In the second hour of his show, he unpacks, explains, and makes sense of the news of the day. Clement has several features in his third hour from 11 am that provide you with information to help and guide you through your daily life. As your morning friend, he tackles the serious as well as the light-hearted, on your behalf. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Clement Manyathela Show. Listen live – The Clement Manyathela Show is broadcast weekdays between 09:00 and 12:00 (SA Time) on 702 https://www.primediaplus.com/station/702 Find all the catch-up podcasts here https://www.primediaplus.com/702/the-clement-manyathela-show/audio-podcasts/the-clement-manyathela-show/ Subscribe to the 702 daily and weekly newsletters https://www.primediaplus.com/competitions/newsletter-subscription/  Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702   702 on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702  702 on Instagram: www.instagram.com/talkradio702  702 on X: www.x.com/Radio702  702 on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@radio702  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nora Freeman Engstrom is a professor of law who says that in three-quarters of cases one or more of the parties lacks legal representation. Worse yet, often the litigants are involved in high-consequence civil cases where there is no right to a lawyer and costs are prohibitive. Some states are looking at alternatives including non-lawyer representation, curated legal help for low-income citizens, and even AI, as Engstrom tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering's The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Nora Freeman EngstromConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Nora Freeman Engstrom, a professor of law at Stanford University.(00:03:11) Path to Justice WorkNora's journey into legal ethics and justice reform.(00:04:46) Misconceptions About Civil CourtHow civil cases often involve one represented and one unrepresented party.(00:08:40) Limits of Judicial HelpWhy the U.S. adversarial system limits judicial involvement.(00:10:40) Problems with Self-HelpThe lack of reliable resources for people trying to represent themselves.(00:13:41) The Cost of Legal HelpThe high cost of representation and how legal aid is overwhelmed.(00:15:20) A Missing MiddleHow law lacks mid-level professionals to offer affordable legal help.(00:17:41) Expanding Legal AccessWhy law lacks mid-level roles and bans non-lawyer advice.(00:22:22) New Models for Legal SupportThe ways some states are testing trained non-lawyers to expand access.(00:27:22) Legal Help in the PastThe history of legal access, including lawyers in banks and auto clubs.(00:30:29) Legal ProtectionismHow depression-era protectionism led to today's lawyer-only model(00:32:48) The Role of AI in Legal AccessThe potential of AI for creating smarter legal tools for courts.(00:35:52) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Lisa Vetten, a leading gender-based violence researcher from the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, joins John Maytham to unpack the implications of Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi's decision to pause plans to make South Africa’s National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) public.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Summary: Join guest host Linda Odermott as she interviews Michael Houlberg, Director of Special Projects at the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS). IAALS is a national, independent research organization that innovates and advances solutions that make our justice system more just. They believe that justice and access to the justice system can be a reality for everyone. This episode highlights IAALS' forward-thinking approach to addressing the access to justice crisis through innovative projects such as regulatory reform initiatives, community justice worker programs, and alternative licensed professional programs. To learn more about IAALS and their projects: https://iaals.du.edu/   About the Guest: Michael Houlberg is the Director of Special Projects at IAALS, focusing on family justice and regulatory reform work, and promoting greater accessibility, efficiency, and fairness to everyone involved in the legal system. Mr. Houlberg graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2015. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Brigham Young University and is a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Paralegal Boot Camp sponsors the Paralegals on Fire! Podcast Show.

Bob Glaves, the executive director at the Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) for over 25 years, reflects on his journey from private practice to leading a foundation dedicated to promoting access to justice and supporting pro bono and legal aid efforts. Bob describes the numerous initiatives and challenges the CBF has undertaken, including the Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP), which helps public service-minded lawyers launch innovative practices to serve unmet legal needs. He highlights the significant market gap between those who qualify for legal aid and those who can afford traditional legal services, noting that initiatives like JEP aim to help entrepreneurial lawyers fill this void by adopting alternative business models and smart use of technology. Bob also delves into the implications of AI and technology on the legal profession, stressing the importance of adaptive pricing models like subscription services and fixed fees. He emphasizes that the traditional billable hour model is becoming less viable, particularly as AI dramatically reduces the time needed for many legal tasks. Bob advocates for modernizing the regulatory environment and legal education to better prepare lawyers for these changes, noting that partnerships and networks, such as the Above the Line network, play a crucial role in supporting innovative legal practices. He underscores the pressing need for the profession to embrace change to better serve a broader spectrum of clients while maintaining ethical standards and delivering high-quality legal services.__________________________Learn about the Chicago Bar Foundation.Read Bob's blog.Check out my other show, the Law for Kids Podcast.Get Connected with SixFifty⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gavel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an automation platform for law firms.Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Law Subscribed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to subscribe to the Substack newsletter to get notified about every episode, listen from your web browser, and for additional content.Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lawsubscribed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠everywhere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Sign up for the Subscription Seminar waitlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscriptionseminar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mathew Kerbis'⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ law firm ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscription Attorney LLC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get full access to Law Subscribed at www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

Kisha A. Brown is a passionate civil rights attorney and the founder/CEO of Justis Connection, an online platform designed to connect lawyers of color with communities needing legal resources.    She has extensive experience across the federal, state, local, nonprofit, and private sectors and focuses on civil rights, police reform, and empowerment.   Kisha realizes that people often ask for legal referrals, but the process is inefficient, requiring multiple steps and often not connecting people of color with lawyers of color.    Kisha emphasizes that many people, especially from marginalized communities, lack access to legal professionals and knowledge about their rights.   Justis Connection helps people find the right lawyer for their specific legal needs, considering factors like language needs, budget, and proximity to public transportation.   Kisha connects her work to the legacies of influential Black leaders like Thurgood Marshall, believing that lawyers of color are responsible for serving their communities.   In addition, references Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "The Drum Major Instinct" speech, emphasizing that leadership is about serving others.    Website: Justis Connection  LinkedIn: Kisha A. Brown, Esq.   Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE.  I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!

On this week's show: LawNext takes you to the movies. Well, to a specific movie, anyway – a documentary being made to raise public awareness and understanding of the access to justice crisis in this country.  Today's guests are the film's director, documentary filmmaker Laura Hand, who previously directed The Tent Mender, about homelessness on Skid Row in Los Angeles, and Maya Markovich, a legal innovation leader – and two-time previous guest on this show (here and here) – who is serving as a producer and advisor to the documentary. You may know Markovich as executive director of the Justice Technology Association and for her recent appointment as vice president of the American Arbitration Association's thought leadership and research arm.  The documentary, called Justice: Just A Promise?, has been given unprecedented access to film inside the courthouses of the Los Angeles County court system – the largest court system in the world and one where litigants unable to get a lawyer present enormous challenges to the civil justice system.  As this episode airs, the filmmakers have just launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise the money they need to complete and distribute the film. During today's conversation, you'll hear about that campaign, including Hand's surprising explanation of why she went that route to raise funds.  You will also learn all about the making of the film and how the filmmakers aim to raise awareness about a nationwide crisis that far too few are even aware of, let alone understand.  Check out their fundraising page here.    Thank You To Our Sponsors This episode of LawNext is generously made possible by our sponsors. We appreciate their support and hope you will check them out. Paradigm, home to the practice management platforms PracticePanther, Bill4Time, MerusCase and LollyLaw; the e-payments platform Headnote; and the legal accounting software TrustBooks. LEX Reception, Never miss a call, with expert answering service for Lawyers. Legalweek, March 24-27, New York Hilton Midtown. Register today at legalweekshow.com.    If you enjoy listening to LawNext, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.  

The 27th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, the Honorable Nathan L. Hecht retired from the bench at the end of 2024 as the longest-serving member in the history of the Texas Supreme Court. In this conversation, Hecht reflects on how his time on the bench shaped his perspective on access to justice. He describes the current challenges that civil courts face and shares what recent innovations he finds most exciting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 27th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, the Honorable Nathan L. Hecht retired from the bench at the end of 2024 as the longest-serving member in the history of the Texas Supreme Court. In this conversation, Hecht reflects on how his time on the bench shaped his perspective on access to justice. He describes the current challenges that civil courts face and shares what recent innovations he finds most exciting.

Recorded live from the 25th annual Innovations in Technology Conference (ITC), legal tech experts discuss their artificial intelligence (AI) projects and AI's future potential for expanding legal services on Talk Justice. The live podcast recording at ITC took place in Phoenix, Arizona on January 14. At the conference, more than 700 professionals from legal, tech and other backgrounds gathered to attend panels and join conversations about access to justice, legal aid, courts and the evolving role of technology. AI was a major theme at the conference, where more than 300 people also attended a pre-conference AI Summit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Randel K. Johnson and Andrew Kilberg discuss the relationship between immigration enforcement and employment policy, with a focus on the unique challenges faced by both small and large businesses in maintaining compliance. Additionally, the experts examine the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), considering potential legislative reforms to better align incentives for small businesses while preserving accountability in immigration matters.Featuring:Randel Keith Johnson, Distinguished Immigration Scholar, Cornell Law SchoolAndrew Kilberg, Partner, Gibson Dunn

There is a 700-appellate case backlog in Los Angeles and only around 450 attorneys on the California Appellate Project—Los Angeles panel. CAP-LA attorneys Jennifer Hansen and Jennifer Peabody share how the rest of us can pitch in to assuage this gap in the administration of justice.Why work as a panel attorney?Get appellate experience.Work with an experienced appellate attorney.Flexible schedules, remote work, and mentorship.While rates are modest, they may be increasing. And there are no client-trust concerns, and CAP-LA covers malpractice insurance.Grow your reputation and rapport with colleagues and the bench.Make a meaningful difference in clients' lives.Tune in to hear how appellate attorneys can make a profound impact while building their careers and enhancing their reputations in the legal community.Jennifer Hansen biography, LinkedIn profile, and Twitter feed.Jennifer Peabody biography, LinkedIn profile, and Twitter feed. Appellate Specialist Jeff Lewis' biography, LinkedIn profile, and Twitter feed.Appellate Specialist Tim Kowal's biography, LinkedIn profile, Twitter feed, and YouTube page.Sign up for Not To Be Published, Tim Kowal's weekly legal update, or view his blog of recent cases.Other items discussed in the episode:Below are links to all five project websites and the application for each.  Panel Application Links:First District Appellate Project:  https://www.fdap.org/about/applying-to-the-panel/Sixth District Appellate Project:  https://sdap.org/about/panel-application/Central California Appellate Program:  https://capcentral.org/about/how-to-apply/Appellate Defenders Inc: https://www.adi-sandiego.com/panel-attorneys/how-to-become-a-panel-attorney/California Appellate Project - LA: https://cap-la.org/apply/Examples of online resources for appointed attorneys are below:Samples bank:  https://capcentral.org/resources/motion/Practice Guide:  https://www.adi-sandiego.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Manual-4th-Edition-Oct-2024.pdfAppointed Appellate Attorney Community: www.cadc.net

At the Knowledge Management and Innovation for Legal Conference held recently in New York City, Legal Services NYC was named as the inaugural winner of the LexPrize award, which is designed to recognize groundbreaking ideas in knowledge management and innovation for the legal industry. It won for its development of the Legal Services NYC KM Portal, a custom-built knowledge management portal designed to enable its legal professionals to more easily access important resources and more effectively collaborate with each other.  LSNYC, whose 12 offices and more than 500 attorneys serve nearly 110,000 clients annually, developed the portal in partnership with Sente Advisors, a company that helps law firms and legal organizations develop innovative projects. Designed to be a home for user-submitted and curated knowledge that is easily searchable, LSNYC describes the portal as one part social network, one part intranet, and one part enterprise search.  LawNext host Bob Ambrogi was at the KM&I for Legal conference and had the opportunity to sit down there with two of the people who were instrumental in the portal's design and development:  Alexander Horwitz, chief operating officer at Legal Services NYC.  Kate Boyd, chief operating officer at Sente Advisors.  In today's episode, Horwitz and Boyd share the story of the problem they set out to solve, the constraints they had to work within, and how they went about doing it.    Thank You To Our Sponsors This episode of LawNext is generously made possible by our sponsors. We appreciate their support and hope you will check them out. Paradigm, home to the practice management platforms PracticePanther, Bill4Time, MerusCase and LollyLaw; the e-payments platform Headnote; and the legal accounting software TrustBooks. Briefpoint, eliminating routine discovery response and request drafting tasks so you can focus on drafting what matters (or just make it home for dinner). Littler, local everywhere.    If you enjoy listening to LawNext, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.