At the 2017 Equal Justice Conference (EJC) this week, several Pro Bono Net staff members will be presenting on a variety of equal justice issues. The Conference takes place May 3-6th in Pittsburgh and is hosted by the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and the National Legal Aid & Defender Association.

Pro Bono Net is a national nonprofit leader in increasing access to justice through innovative uses of technology and collaboration. Pro Bono Net’s staff is made up of a cross-disciplinary team from legal, technology, and community engagement backgrounds who are committed to finding innovative, sustainable solutions for expanding access to justice.

The Equal Justice Conference brings together all components of the legal community to discuss equal justice issues as they relate to the delivery of legal services to the poor. Pro Bono Net will present on a wide range of topics, including emerging technology trends in the equial justice community, technology to expand pro bono participation, and designing and delivering better tools to assist self-represented litigants.

Staff attending the conference includes Mark O’Brien, Executive Director; Liz Keith, Program Director; Claudia Johnson, LawHelp Interactive Program Coordinator; Mike Grunenwald, Program Coordinator;  Sam Halpert, LawHelp Program Coordinator; and Jessica Stuart, Pro Bono Manager Product Manager.

Pro Bono Net staff are participating in the following pre-conference activities and conference workshops. For more details on each workshop, please visit the EJC website here.

Thursday, 10 AM

Emerging Technology: Envisioning Broad Benefits to Legal Aid
  • IV Ashton, LegalServer and Houston.AI
  • Liz Keith, Pro Bono Net
  • David Neumeyer, Virginia Legal Aid Society
  • Roger Skalbeck, University of Richmond School of Law
Hot Topics in Civil Right to Counsel: Pilots, Research Results, Legislation
  • Lise Adams, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center
  • Mike Grunenwald, Pro Bono Net
  • Mairi McKeever, Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco
  • John Pollock, National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel

Thursday, 11:45 AM

LawHelp / probono.net / LawHelp Interactive Network Gathering

Room 301

Programs are invited to share project highlights and connect with others around the country working on or interested in LawHelp.org, probono.net or LHI online forms initiatives. Pick up your lunch in the gallery and join us in room 301!  Contact Liz Keith at lkeith@probono.net with any questions.

Thurdsay, 1:30 PM

Delivering Better Tools to Self-Represented Litigants: Tips for Websites and Document Assembly
  • Sam Halpert, Pro Bono Net
  • Rochelle Klempner, New York State Courts Access to Justice Program
  • Angela Tripp, Michigan Legal Help Program

Friday, 8:30 AM

Closing the Justice Gap with Remote Service Delivery
  • Mike Grunenwald, Pro Bono Net
  • Claudia Johnson, Pro Bono Net
  • Lillian Moy, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New Yor

Friday, 10:30 AM

Big Ideas: The Future of Pro Bono
  • Kevin Curnin, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
  • Sharon Goldsmith, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
  • Mark O’Brien, Pro Bono Net
  • Eve Runyon, Pro Bono Institute
  • Steve Scudder, American Bar Association
  • Joe Sullivan, Pepper Hamilton
  • Witold “Vic” Walczak, ACLU of Pennsylvania

Friday, 1:45 PM

Learning to Love and Use Your Data
  • Claudia Johnson, Pro Bono Net
  • Sam Halpert, Pro Bono Net
  • Mary Kaczorek, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

Friday, 1:45 PM

50 Tech Tips
  • David Bonebrake, Legal Services Corporation
  • Liz Keith, Pro Bono Net
  • Glenn Rawdon, Legal Services Corporation
  • Jane Ribadeneyra, Legal Services Corporation
  • Brian Rowe, Northwest Justice Project

About Pro Bono Net

Pro Bono Net is a national non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to justice. Through innovative technology solutions and expertise in building and mobilizing justice networks, Pro Bono Net transforms the way legal help reaches the underserved. Comprehensive programs including www.probono.net, www.lawhelp.org,  www.lawhelpinteractive.org and the Immigration Advocates Network, enable legal advocates to make a stronger impact, increase volunteer participation, and empower the public with resources and self-help tools to improve their lives.

About the Equal Justice Conference

The Equal Justice Conference, hosted by the American Bar Association and NLADA, brings together all components of the legal community to discuss equal justice issues as they relate to the delivery of legal services to the poor and low-income individuals in need of legal assistance.

The emphasis of this Conference is on strengthening partnerships among the key players in the civil justice system. Through plenary sessions, workshops, networking opportunities and special programming, the Conference provides a wide range of learning and sharing experiences for all attendees.