NEW YORK, NY — September 17, 2026 — Scale Justice, a national nonprofit and leading voice in legal innovation and technology, today announced the addition of Joe Stephens, Director of Legal Solutions at Steno and Clinical Lecturer at Texas Tech University School of Law, to its Board of Directors. Joe brings deep experience at the intersection of law, artificial intelligence, and access to justice.
“This strategic appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to leveraging technological innovation and frontline legal expertise to inform our programming,” said Zach Zarnow, Executive Director of Scale Justice. “Joe contributes a unique perspective shaped by his work in public defense and legal services, as well as experience working with emerging technology to increase access to justice. His experience will help guide Scale Justice as we continue to expand our impact.”
Joe leverages his background in public defense at legal technology company Steno, where he helps ensure legal technology solutions are informed by the practical needs of the communities they serve. He also serves as Chief Public Defender of the Caprock Regional Defender Office, where he mentors law students through the practice of criminal defense in the nation’s first full-time public defender office in the United States housed inside a law school.
“As emerging technology continues to reshape what is possible in the legal sector, Joe’s experience will help us accelerate our mission of bridging gaps in our legal system and bringing the power of the law to all,” said Michael Hertz, Board Chair. “His invaluable insight across the legal, technology, and access to justice sectors makes him ideally suited to identify the most pressing challenges facing the legal sector and address them head on.”
Following Michael Hertz’s election as Board Chair in June, Joe’s appointment further deepens the experience and leadership guiding the organization’s efforts to expand access to justice through innovative solutions. In addition to the expanding board, the organization continues to grow its impact through new programs and partnerships, including:
- A partnership with the National Association for Court Management to deliver specialized educational content to court management professionals nationwide
- The December launch of Reclamo AI, the multilingual digital assistant that helps low-wage and immigrant workers prevent, assess, and document workplace violations
“I am thrilled to join Scale Justice at such a pivotal moment for the organization,” said Joe Stephens. “At a time of rapid technological innovation, Scale Justice plays an indispensable role in bringing together stakeholders from across sectors to tackle longstanding challenges at the heart of our legal system.”
About Scale Justice
Scale Justice is a national non-profit dedicated to making the law work for all by partnering with courts, legal aid, and community organizations to build digital tools that empower and increase access to justice. Through technology and collaborative partnerships, Scale Justice works to demystify legal procedures for the public while enabling legal professionals to deliver fair, efficient, and transparent justice. For more information, visit www.scalejustice.org.
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