2020 NY Statewide Civil Legal Aid Technology Conference

The 6th Annual New York State Civil Legal Aid Technology Conference, held remotely on October 7 and 14, 2020, was organized by the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice in partnership with NYSTech and Cornell Tech. This virtual event convened members of the legal services community, private law firms, law schools, technology companies, and the judiciary to promote collaborative and innovative uses of technology aimed at ensuring effective assistance to all those in need.

The conference focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of technology in delivering legal services and accessing the courts. Key sessions included "Rapid Fire Tech," highlighting current technologies available to the New York civil legal aid community, and discussions on metrics in new service models, fast-track collaborations with courts, and challenges in document management. Notable presentations addressed algorithmic bias in artificial intelligence tools and showcased 25 applications for remote work and virtual legal services.

Attendees had opportunities for information sharing, Q&A sessions, and virtual social networking. The event featured opening remarks by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and included plenary sessions, break-out discussions, "Ask the Tech Expert" segments, and networking/affinity sessions. Collaborative tools such as Padlet were employed to document useful information and shape future recommendations.

The conference was designed for legal services providers, technologists, court staff, and other stakeholders interested in leveraging technology to enhance access to justice. Participants gained insights into innovative tech solutions, best practices for remote service delivery, and strategies for effective collaboration in the legal aid sector.