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Notes to My Legal Self®
Notes to My Legal Self®Season 10, Episode 4: Courts Belong to the People (with Sonja Ebron)What happens when justice is truly accessible to all? In this episode of Notes to My (Legal) Self, we dive into "Courts Belong to the People" with Sonja Ebron, CEO of Courtroom5, as part of The Future Belongs to Builders series. Sonja, a PhD electrical engineer and former college professor, shares her unique journey into the legal world after representing herself in court numerous times. She founded Courtroom5 to empower people to navigate the legal system, addressing the pressing issue of access to justice for those unable to afford legal representation. Sonja’s insights ta...
2024-10-2342 minAI Lawyer Talking Tech
AI Lawyer Talking TechEmpowering Pro Se Litigants: The Love Story Behind Courtroom5 Welcome to "AI Lawyer Talking Tech." In today's episode, we uncover the remarkable journey of Sonja Ebron and Debra Slone, the dynamic couple driving innovation in the legal tech industry. Their startup, Courtroom5, is revolutionizing the Justice Tech sector by providing a unique platform to educate and empower individuals navigating the legal system without formal representation. Join us as we explore their personal and professional bond, the challenges and successes they've encountered, and the significance of their mission in democratizing legal support. This is a love story intertwined with entrepreneurship and a commitment to promoting justice and empowerment. In-house...
2024-02-2024 minThe Geek In Review
The Geek In ReviewLove and Legal Tech: Sonja Ebron and Debra Slone of Courtroom5 In the latest episode of "The Geek in Review," Marlene Gebauer hosts a fascinating conversation with Sonja Ebron and Debra Slone, the dynamic couple behind Courtroom5, a pioneering startup in the Justice Tech space aimed at empowering pro se litigants. As part of the "Love & Legal Tech" series we discuss the personal and professional relationship that propels Courtroom5 forward, providing valuable insights into the intersection of love, partnership, and innovation in the legal tech industry. Courtroom5 stands out in the Justice Tech sector by offering a unique platform designed to educate, encourage, and empower...
2024-02-1922 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Ty Brown, ZAF Legal - Who Wrote That Up For You? Aug 22, 2023Ty Brown is the CEO of ZAF Legal, a personal injury law firm with zero attorney fees (or ZAF). He discussed the inherent conflicts in the practice of personal injury law, as well as the pushback he's receiving now from traditional personal injury law firms. Ty shared his company's experience in the Utah regulatory sandbox and the need for national change in the rules governing professional ethics. – Visit ZAF Legal: https://www.zaflegal.com/ – Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zaf.legal – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zaf-legal/ For mor...
2023-08-2322 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Nichelle Perry, NCCU Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Aug 15Nichelle ("Nikki") Perry is an associate professor of law and director of the law library at the North Carolina Central University School of Law. She discussed changes in the work of law librarians and the potential for integrating new justice technologies into the law school curriculum. – Visit the law school: https://law.nccu.edu/school-of-law-directory/nichelle-perry/ – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ncculawschool – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NCCULAW – Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncculawschool/ – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/north-carolina-central-university-school-of-law/ For more o...
2023-08-1625 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Joryn Jenkins, Open Palm Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Aug 8, 2023Joryn Jenkins, founder of Open Palm Law, is a Florida attorney, divorce mediator, and expert in collaborative law. She discussed the importance of mutual respect in dispute resolution, particularly for divorcing couples who also own businesses they wish to continue operating. – Visit the website: https://openpalmlaw.com/ – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openpalmlaw/ – Connect on Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/OpenPalmLaw – Connect on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jorynjenkins/ – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/open-palm-law/ For more on the need to fix U.S. courts, subscrib...
2023-08-0927 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Lloyd Comiter, Mediation Training Academy - Who Wrote That Up For You? Aug 1, 2023Lloyd Comiter of the Mediation Training Academy discussed the many reasons that parties in a dispute prefer mediation over litigation. He also described the certified training programs available in Florida that allow anyone to become an effective mediator. – Visit the website: https://mediationtrainingacademy.com/ – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mediationtrainingacademy – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mediation-training-academy/ For more on the need to fix U.S. courts, subscribe to "Who Wrote That Up For You?" wherever you listen to podcasts. If you're in court without a lawyer, visit ...
2023-08-0233 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Ken Johnson, Restorative Justice Facilitator - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jul 25, 2023Ken Johnson, juvenile justice expert and certified Florida mediator, discussed the potential of restorative justice practices to mitigate the severe harm to young people caught up in the school-to-prison pipeline. With a new academic year starting, Ken wanted to the reasons behind the shocking statistic that 4 out of every 5 incarcerated adults started out in the juvenile justice system. According to Ken, this is all by design and is part and parcel of the culture's punitive attitude toward children. Ken described the coincidence of standardized testing schedules and high rates of at-risk youth arrested at school, which tends...
2023-07-2637 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Wanda Butler, We Decide - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jul 18, 2023Wanda Butler, CEO of We Decide, discussed the financial analysis software the company makes to simplify the process of financial discovery in divorce. She gave several examples of the software easing negotiations and lowering the costs of dissolving a marriage. The software is available to individuals, couples, and legal teams assisting one or both parties. We Decide is also a member of the Justice Technology Association, a trade organization representing direct-to-consumer legal tech companies. Wanda described her membership as having found her tribe, a group of people working more for impact than for profit. – Vi...
2023-07-1922 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Lara Amoroso, Doing It Differently Divorce - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jul 4, 2023Lara Amoroso, owner of Doing It Differently Divorce, discussed pre-suit divorce mediation for couples in court without a lawyer. Offering services in all Florida counties, Lara shared the many reasons to mediate a divorce rather than litigate. – Visit the website: https://doingitdifferentlydivorce.com/ For more on the need to fix U.S. courts, subscribe to "Who Wrote That Up For You?" wherever you listen to podcasts. If you're in court without a lawyer, visit ⁠courtroom5.com⁠ to get access to justice today. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/s...
2023-07-0526 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Joseph George, George & George ADR - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jun 27, 2023Joseph George, an arbitrator at George & George ADR, discussed the wide variety of options for settling cases out of court. He shared the work experience that led him to found the company with his sister and opportunities for innovative marketing for arbitration companies. Joseph gave examples of the types of cases his firm handles, which include construction and the beauty industry. He also described the benefits of arbitration over litigation, such as the industry expertise of the arbitrator and significantly lower costs. – Visit George & George ADR: https://georgeandgeorgeadr.com/ – Connect on Li...
2023-06-2827 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Mathew Kerbis, SubscriptionAttorney.com - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jun 20, 2023Mathew Kerbis is an Illinois attorney and founder of SubscriptionAttorney.com, an innovative model for delivering legal services to people who can't afford the traditional large retainer and billable hour. Mathew is an advocate for access to justice for the broader middle class. He focuses his practice and his company on serving the latent legal market and helping clients avoid litigation. The entry price for SubscriptionAttorney.com starts at less than $20 per month. Clients who need litigation consulting and help to navigate Illinois courts can access his services for as little as $150 per month, far below the...
2023-06-2128 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Ken Johnson, Mediator - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jun 13, 2023Ken Johnson is a licensed Florida mediator and expert in restorative juvenile justice. He shared the different kinds of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation, arbitration, ombuds, and other methods of settling legal matters out of court. Ken discussed mediation techniques and ethics, and the differences between the types of ADR. – Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KenJohnsonUSA – Read on Medium: ⁠Then and Now: Reflecting on Restorative Practices and the Corruption of the Public Education System – Read on Medium: The Aluminum Age of Mediation For more...
2023-06-1434 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Pam Gwin Sheppard, Court Reporter - Who Wrote That Up For You? June 6, 2023Pam Gwin Sheppard has been a certified court reporter for nearly 30 years. She currently serves as the designated court reporter for the Harris County, Texas misdemeanor criminal court. Pam discussed the role and importance of the court reporter in hearings and trials, as well as the process and cost of getting a copy of the record produced by a court reporter. Pam Gwin (Coder) Sheppard is the author of "Transitioning from Student to Professional Court Reporter," a textbook for joining the profession. She's a mentor and frequent webinar presenter on topics ranging from active listening to shorthand. – Co...
2023-06-0731 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Joshua Schwadron, Mighty.com - Who Wrote That Up For You? Feb 17, 2023Joshua Schwadron, founder and CEO at Mighty.com, discussed his company's innovative model for helping injured people pursue personal injury claims through an affiliated law firm, Mighty Law. Mighty helps its clients manage the financial aspects of their lives -- car repairs, replacement wages, etc -- while their claims are being handled by the law firm. And the contingency fees are limited so that clients keep more of their awards.    Mighty has angered some members of the personal injury bar with its marketing, which often paints "billboard lawyers" as greedy predators taking advantage of people when they ne...
2023-02-1831 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Kristin Henning, Georgetown Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Feb 15, 2023Kristin Henning is the Blume Professor of Law and director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic & Initiative at Georgetown Law. She is also the author of "Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth," which draws upon her twenty-five years of experience representing Black youth in Washington, D.C.'s juvenile court to detail the myriad ways police encounters are used to deny Black youth the healthy adolescent development afforded to other young people.   Professor Henning teaches and trains lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and others about the criminalization of Black and Brown youth to help mitigate the implicit racial b...
2023-02-1637 minFounders Unfound
Founders UnfoundFebruary Flashback Clips: Dr. Sonja EbronFor the month of February, we are publishing flashback clips from some of our wonderful past episodes. Please a take some time enjoy (again) the full episodes from these founders.Season 4 of Founders Unfound starts in March!Dr. Sonja Ebron is Co-founder and CEO of Courtroom5, a company that makes an automated legal toolbox that helps people represent themselves in court.Original Episode: No.34, June 2021https://foundersunfound.com/courtroom5-black-founder-profile-podcast/MORE ON SONJA AND COURTROOM5Sonja:linkedin.com/in/sonjaebron
2023-02-1400 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Dave Maxfield, Consumer Law SC - Who Wrote That Up For You? Feb 13, 2023Dave Maxfield is a consumer protection lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina. He shared the types of cases he pursues on behalf of consumers deluged by debt collection calls or cheated out of benefits. He also shared tips to help consumers think more like lawyers in their day-to-day activities.   Dave is also co-author of "The Lean Law Firm," the first graphic novel ever published by the American Bar Association. The book applies the Lean Startup methodology to small and solo law firms to help them build systems and automated processes that can lead to profitability.   – Connect on T...
2023-02-1423 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Renee Vara, Vara Art; J. Rich Leonard, Campbell Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Feb. 10, 2023Renee Vara is the founder of Vara Arts, which provides appraiser and advisory services for creatives. She discussed the use of the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) to protect artists whose works are threatened by traditional property rights, including a famous case where a commercial property development sought to destroy several murals in New York City. Renee advised artists in these situations to seek legal counsel but also to pursue mediation to recover the reasonable commercial value of their works. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VaraArt – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/varaart – Connec...
2023-02-1129 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Natalie Knowlton, A2J Ventures - Who Wrote That Up For You? Feb 6, 2023Natalie Knowlton is the founder of A2J Ventures, a consulting agency for startup ventures and established businesses working to increase access to justice and the courts. Natalie shared her background as a lawyer who never wanted to practice but always saw an opportunity to help change the industry. She also shared her thoughts on the meaning of access to justice and what it means when societies lack broad access.    Natalie discussed ways to knock down barriers to access and reform the regulatory regime to unleash innovation. She also addressed a misleading narrative around access: that efforts to...
2023-02-0730 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Tahmina Watson, Watson Immigration Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Feb 1, 2023Tahmina Watson of Watson Immigration Law is an immigration lawyer licensed in both Washington and New York. Her law firm serves international startup founders and tech employees working and doing business in the United States. She is the creative voice behind the Startup Visa podcast and Tahmina Talks Immigration podcast.   Tahmina discussed the evolution of U.S. immigration law and the differences from other countries' handling. She described the crisis brought about by massive layoffs in the tech sector, leaving many immigrants with work visas (and their families) in danger of deportation. Because immigration is a federal m...
2023-02-0229 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Diego Acosta, Court Interpreter - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 30, 2023Diego Acosta is a licensed court interpreter in the Houston, TX metro area. He discussed the role of interpreters in ensuring fair court proceedings. He described the process for a person with limited English proficiency to get an interpreter for a hearing or trial. Diego shared issues of etiquette that sometimes arise when dealing with judges and lawyers representing opposing parties, along with the ethics associated with speaking with clients outside of court. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/diegoricardo88 – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diego.acosta.9809 For more on the need to f...
2023-01-3133 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Tiffany Graves, Pro Bono Counsel at Bradley - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 27, 2023Tiffany Graves is the first pro bono counsel at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP, the largest law firm in the southeast U.S., with over 600 attorneys serving the banking, construction, energy, and healthcare industries. ("Pro bono" means "for the good" or free of charge.) Each attorney at the firm provides a minimum of 50 hours of free legal services annually to people who cannot afford an attorney. Tiffany's role is to ensure opportunities for pro bono service are available when an attorney at the firm is ready to serve.   Tiffany's legal career has been devoted to closing the j...
2023-01-2828 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Ada Crenshaw, Nfinite Legacy Mobile Notary - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 25, 2023Ada Crenshaw is the owner of Nfinite Legacy Mobile Notary, a notary public service based in McKinney, Texas. Ada's journey to the profession began when she lost her job with a large defense contractor. She quickly found herself grateful for the opportunity to become her own boss. The agency has expanded to international signings and wedding officiant services.    Ada is excited to see the notary profession embrace change. The use of advanced technology has become mandatory, and remote notary services are now commonplace. Ada believes the future offers significant opportunities for growth in notary services. – Conn...
2023-01-2618 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Ana Julieta Kowalski Solis, Licensed Court Interpreter - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 23, 2023Ana Julieta Kowalski Solis is the owner of Interpretation and Translation Services by Licensed Court Interpreters, operating in and around Brownsville, Texas. Ana shared the tremendous demand for court interpreters in border communities like Brownsville, as well as the struggles to help court personnel understand the value court interpreters bring to judicial fairness. The company provides a variety of translation services to companies and individuals in addition to its court interpretation services. – Connect by telephone: (956) 465-5000 For more on the need to fix U.S. courts, subscribe to "Who Wrote That Up For You?" wherever yo...
2023-01-2418 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Alyssa S. Wesley, Freelance Paralegal Services - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 20, 2023Alyssa S. Wesley is the owner of Freelance Paralegal Services, an agency offering legal research and document assembly services to pro se civil litigants. Freelance Paralegal Services serves clients in all 50 states handling a wide variety of claims, but they specialize in family law matters from divorce to child support and custody.  Alyssa expressed confidence in her clients and has seen many of them become successful pro se litigants. – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-s-wesley-m-jur-a1961232/ – Visit the website: https://freelanceparalegalservices.net/ For more on the need to fix U.S. courts, subsc...
2023-01-2123 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Ted Edwards, Banks Law Firm - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 18, 2023Ted Edwards is a principal at the Banks Law Firm, the largest minority-owned law firm in the Carolinas. Founded in 1994 by Sherrod Banks in Durham, NC, the firm specializes in affordable housing and community development, representing housing authorities and community-oriented nonprofit organizations. Ted discussed the challenges for young Black lawyers entering the profession and shared the power of mentoring that led to his success. He also described the firm's fundraising activities on behalf of local nonprofits, including the Triangle Golf Challenge, an annual celebrity golf tournament, and the firm's high-profile Christmas celebration. – Connect on Twitter: ht...
2023-01-1929 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Scott Dodson, UC Law San Francisco - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 16, 2023Scott Dodson is a distinguished professor of law at UC Law San Francisco. He's an expert in civil procedure and the director of the Center for Litigation and the Courts at UC Law SF. Scott shared several benefits of our civil justice system that we rarely consider. For instance, it provides a method of compensating for harm caused and deters future harm. It shifts the burden of managing harm from government agencies to private plaintiffs, which allows for smaller government. Civil litigation also has an equalizing and democratic nature, and the process of litigation forces disclosures and transparency in...
2023-01-1726 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Bonita Torres, ICU Investigations - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 13, 2023Bonita Torres is a licensed private investigator and owner of ICU Investigations in the Houston, Texas metro area. Bonita shared her background in human resources and the job loss that put her on an unconventional path to a career in private investigations. While her agency specializes in surveillance and fraud investigations, she has served a wide variety of clients and cases. Bonita expressed concern for the rights of undocumented persons, who may fail to seek protection or assert their rights when needed due to fear of arrest and deportation. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ICUTexas – Visi...
2023-01-1426 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Robert Songer, L and S Investigations - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 11, 2023Robert Songer is a private investigator with L and S Investigations, serving the east Tennessee metro area. He described his law enforcement background and the types of services his agency works on, from computer forensics to process serving. Robert emphasized the need for private investigators to prioritize ethical behavior, and he shared his efforts at time management to minimize costs for his clients. – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-songer-a40bb947/ – Connect on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/l-and-s-investigations-knoxville – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/landsinvestigations/ – Visit the website: https://www.land...
2023-01-1222 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Daniel Medwed, Northeastern University School of Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 9, 2023Daniel Medwed is a distinguished professor of law and criminal justice at Northeastern University School of Law and the author of "Barred: Why the Innocent Can't Get Out of Prison." He shared the procedural hurdles faced by the wrongfully convicted in getting new trials, even when they have proven their actual innocence. The criminal justice system values the finality of criminal trials over all else, including the liberty of innocent people. Daniel argued that problems are found in both the trial process, where poor defendants and their public defenders are unable to match the resources available to state prosecutors...
2023-01-1029 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Wanda Singleton, FYI Private Investigations - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 5, 2023Wanda Singleton is the lead private investigator and owner of FYI Private Investigations in the Atlanta (GA) metro area. Wanda shared her experience as a correctional officer in California and the process of becoming a licensed private investigator. In Georgia, she also became a certified process server. She has additional certifications as a criminal defense researcher, which is a specialty area for FYI Private Investigations.  Wanda discussed the need to ensure the due process rights of criminal defendants were respected by state prosecutors. She also expressed concerns for indigent criminal defendants who were unable to afford the i...
2023-01-0628 minPioneers and Pathfinders
Pioneers and PathfindersDr. Sonja EbronToday's guest is Dr. Sonja Ebron, a PhD of electrical engineering and an entrepreneur with a background in AI. She co-founded Courtroom5 with her wife, Dr. Debra Slone, PhD, a former librarian, school professor, and qualitative data and analysis expert. Motivated by their own difficult experiences navigating the judicial system, they decided to help others in similar situations. Courtroom5 provides people with the tools, resources, and workshops needed to help them settle civil cases, with or without a lawyer to accompany them. Through the resources they provide, people of all classes can learn and understand the legal process without being...
2023-01-0433 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Frank Patka IV, Changing Patterns - Who Wrote That Up For You? Jan 2, 2023Frank Patka IV is a founder of Changing Patterns, providing education, mentoring, and resources for citizens returning from incarceration. He credits the mentoring he received while incarcerated on an armed robbery conviction many years ago. Frank witnessed many of those who'd been released with him fail at re-entry, and he realized they'd been denied the knowledge on re-entry that he'd learned. Changing Patterns aims to change that.   Frank discussed the numerous challenges facing returning citizens related to employment, housing, and family reunification. He also shared the strongest factor in successful re-entry -- mindset. No matter the resources a...
2023-01-0326 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Eric Peterson, Peterson Investigations - Who Wrote That Up For You? Dec 30, 2022Eric Peterson at Peterson Investigations shared his background as an LAPD detective and his evolution to a private investigator. He discussed the need for private investigations in collecting and authenticating evidence for a wide variety of civil claims. While his agency is usually retained by a law firm, some pro se litigants have used him to catch cheating spouses or prove that certain environments were potentially harmful to children.   Eric had good advice for anyone handling a civil case - understand the types of evidence that will be persuasive to a judge or jury, and make sure y...
2022-12-3124 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Jessica Bednarz, Justice Entrepreneurs Project - Who Wrote That Up For You? Dec 22, 2022Jessica Bednarz runs the Chicago Bar Foundation's Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP), an incubator for small and solo law firms providing greater access to justice in the Chicago metro area. Jessica discussed the requirements for firms joining the incubator, as well as the entrepreneurial training offered to them.   JEP is part of a law firm incubator movement aiming to improve the prospects for new small and solo firms while simultaneously addressing the lack of affordable legal services for middle-class households. JEP participants are required to offer alternative fee arrangements like fixed-fee pricing and limited-scope services. In return, firms a...
2022-12-2223 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Jazz Hampton, TurnSignl; Katherine Alteneder, SRLN - Who Wrote That Up For You? Dec 19, 2022Jazz Hampton, CEO at TurnSignal, shared the frustration he felt at hearing of traffic stops that ended in the death of innocent motorists. His legal career in BigLaw gave him little opportunity to address these concerns, so he left to create an app that ensures the safety of both police and motorists during traffic stops. TurnSignl allows drivers to bring a local attorney into interactions with police and plans for nationwide availability in 2023. – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jazz-hampton/ – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turnsignl/ – Connect on Twitter: https://twitte...
2022-12-2034 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Ken Friedman, Divorce.com; Timothy M. Brown, Citizen HQ - Who Wrote That Up For You? Dec 16, 2022Ken Friedman is the general counsel and chief industry officer at Divorce.com, a low-cost online alternative to messy litigation for dissolving a marriage. He is a former vice president of legal at LegalZoom and is the founding chair of Courtroom5's advisory board. Ken first coined the term "justice tech" to distinguish consumer solutions from other forms of legal tech that more commonly serve the needs of law firms. The most important advice Ken offers to justice tech entrepreneurs is to simplify the law to make it accessible to laymen. – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.co...
2022-12-1731 minThe Tech Savvy Lawyer
The Tech Savvy Lawyer#54: Empowering People in the Courtroom. Interview with Courtroom5 CEO, Sonja EbronIt can be challenging for people with limited means to find attorneys willing to take them on as clients. Courtroom5 provides this group with Do-It-Yourself online help in some areas of law. This online service assists people in representing themselves in court. This week's Tech Savvy Lawyer podcast episode features Sonja Ebron, CEO of Courtroom5. Sonja is a Ph.D. electoral engineer and former college professor with a background in utilities and artificial intelligence. She has represented herself in court numerous times. As CEO at Courtroom5, Sonja has made it her personal mission to empower people to...
2022-12-1439 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Dan Culhane, Discovery Genie; Eric M. Bailey, Bailey Strategic Innovation Group - Who Wrote That Up For You? Dec 12, 2022Dan Culhane, CEO of Discovery Genie, had difficulty responding to discovery requests as a new lawyer. He also had trouble understanding his cases without organizing his evidence first. Those experiences led him to create Discovery Genie, a document production technology tool that levels the playing field for small and solo law firms competing against larger firms. – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoverygenie – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/discovery-genie/ – Connect Twitter: https://twitter.com/discovery_genie – Visit the website: https://www.discoverygenie.com/ Eric M. Bailey is an organiza...
2022-12-1327 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Melissa Franca & Emma Hawley, University of Wisconsin Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 18, 2022Melissa Franca and Emma Hawley are law students (3L and 2L, respectively) at the University of Wisconsin School of Law. They are currently enrolled in the school's Law & Entrepreneurship externship course, led by previous “Who Wrote That Up For You?” guest, Professor Charles Von Simson. The course pairs them with startup companies and entrepreneurs, and the two students have chosen to complete their externship this year with Courtroom5.   Melissa and Emma both shared their aspirations to help people as the motivating factor in joining the legal profession. The curriculum has helped them understand the complexity of the law a...
2022-11-1932 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Olivia Miller, Chad Barr Law; Brian Vukadinovich, Pro Se - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 17, 2022Olivia Miller, a junior partner at the Chad Barr Law Firm in central Florida, described the pro se litigants she sees in small claims courts. In her experience, judicial assistants and clerks offer valuable information to help pro se litigants understand the process. Judges go the extra mile to ensure pro se litigants have time to express themselves and get a fair hearing. Still, most pro se litigants are disadvantaged because their opponents are represented by counsel, and lawyers know how to navigate those procedures at a higher level. Olivia advised pro se litigants to visit the court's website...
2022-11-1836 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Samuel Tate, Tango Technology - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 16, 2022Samuel Tate worked as a court administrator for many years and witnessed the inefficiencies of court clerks and other staff answering the same questions from people with business in the courts. "What should I bring for jury duty?" and "Where do I park?" were among the daily questions that took time and resources away from other important duties and services, but people often used different words and phrases to ask these questions. Sam found a solution in conversational artificial intelligence (AI), a new technology that could be trained to perceive routine questions asked in different ways, something that could...
2022-11-1726 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Co-hosts Sonja and Debra Trash Sovereign Citizenship - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 15, 2022"Who Wrote That Up For You?" co-hosts Sonja Ebron and Debra Slone discuss cases in the news involving pro se criminal defendants. The case of Darrell Brooks, the man convicted of murder by driving a car through the Waukesha, Wisconsin Christmas parade, drew particular umbrage due to Brooks' pro se defense of sovereign citizenship, the notion that the court lacked jurisdiction over him because he had never consented to it and the court's spelling of his name was incorrect.    Sonja and Debra also discussed the case of Trevor Summers, the Florida man who kidnapped, raped, and attempted to...
2022-11-1625 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Delaney Edge, Aspiring Lawyer - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 14, 2022Delaney Edge has wanted to be a lawyer for many years. She's a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a U.S. history major. In high school, Delaney shadowed a judge and a solo lawyer. In college, she interned with Courtroom5 and worked at the civil legal clinic on campus. She's now taking the LSAT and preparing applications for law school.    Delaney understands the role of lawyers in society better than most practicing lawyers. She's driven by a desire to help the legal profession shape the future of the U.S. ...
2022-11-1527 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Bernice Smith, Pro Se; Charles Von Simson, UW-Madison Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 11, 2022Bernice Smith lost her daughter to a failed dialysis procedure. No lawyer would seek justice for her medical malpractice claim because her daughter's lengthy illness lowered expectations of a big payday. But Bernice wasn't interested in money. She was interested in finding out what had happened to her daughter and in making the people responsible acknowledge their mistakes. So she sued them on her own, and after a two-year fight, forced a favorable settlement. The experience of learning to navigate court procedures and collect the evidence needed to prove her case left Bernice inspired and happy that no lawyer...
2022-11-1226 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Daniel Medwed, Northeastern University School of Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 10, 2022** UPDATE: See January 9, 2023 episode ** Daniel Medwed is a distinguished professor of law and criminal justice at Northeastern University School of Law and the author of "Barred: Why the Innocent Can't Get Out of Prison." He shared the procedural hurdles faced by the wrongfully convicted in getting new trials, even when they have proven their actual innocence. The criminal justice system values the finality of criminal trials over all else, including the liberty of innocent people. Daniel argued that problems are found in both the trial process, where poor defendants and their public defenders are unable to match...
2022-11-1121 minTechnically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation PodcastHow Courtroom5 is Using Legal Tech to Close the Access to Justice Gap (Sonja Ebron & Maya Markovich)(Replay)Sonja Ebron found herself in a couple legal tangles over the years. From disputes with landlords to dust-ups with shady creditors, she represented herself in court a couple times and quickly figured out litigation without a lawyer can be very difficult. So, what did she do about it? She founded Courtroom5, an app that helps civil pro se litigants with legal research, provides education about court procedures and also helps them draft and file pleadings. A "do-it-yourself" litigation support tool. In 2019 when Courtroom5 participated in the Duke Law Tech Lab incubator program, Sonja met Maya...
2022-11-1037 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Miguel Willis at Penn Carey Law and ATJ Tech Fellows - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 9, 2022Miguel Willis is executive director of the ATJ Tech Fellows Program and Innovator in Residence for the Future of the Profession Initiative at Penn Carey Law. Miguel returned to "Who Wrote That Up For You" to discuss his vision for the future of law and the legal profession, one that broadly guarantees access to justice and the rule of law while protecting the mental health of lawyers and reflecting the diversity of our population. But he also placed the crisis in access to justice within a human rights framework, viewing it holistically as something beyond courts and litigation. In...
2022-11-1028 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Co-hosts Sonja and Debra on Recognizing Legal Issues - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 8, 2022"Who Wrote That Up For You?" co-hosts Sonja Ebron and Debra Slone discuss the case of a homeowner who sued the company responsible for collecting his trash. Many have expressed surprise that someone would file a lawsuit over such a minor complaint. There are many seemingly trivial issues that could be resolved in the courts but are rarely viewed as causes of legal action. In fact, the latest "Justice Gap" report from the Legal Services Corporation finds that low-income Americans seek legal help for less than 1 in 5 legal problems they experience. Perhaps if more people have access to the...
2022-11-0907 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Mike Whelan, Jr. at Lawyer Forward - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 7, 2022Mike Whelan, Jr. is the author of "Lawyer Forward: Finding Your Place in the Future of Law," a guide for solo law firms struggling to build sustainable practices in a fast-moving legal industry. Mike sees the future of law from a supply-chain perspective based on his experience in logistics and as the owner of a solo law firm. He wants law firms and their clients to recognize that lawyers shouldn't do all the work in handling a legal matter, but it's important to understand which parts are appropriate for non-lawyers to handle. The future of law will be better...
2022-11-0828 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Jim Gibbs, CEO at Meter Feeder - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 4, 2022Jim Gibbs is the co-founder and CEO of Meter Feeder, a mobile app that automatically pays for parking when you park your car. The app was inspired by Jim's inability to find coins for parking meters, resulting in costly parking tickets and unwanted interactions with local traffic courts. Jim recalled his last corporate job and the moment his boss persuaded him to become an entrepreneur, reminding him that technical expertise alone would not make him rich. Meter Feeder has helped people avoid getting caught up in the civil justice system, so Jim encourages local governments to invest in his...
2022-11-0523 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Patti Mazurkiewicz and Rae Lynn Christians, Integrity Nurse - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 3, 2022Patti Mazurkiewicz is a nurse and certified life care planner. She described the use of life care plans in personal injury litigation and the process of creating them. She explained that certification to become a life care planner includes courses and exams on the purposes, procedures, and ethics of estimating the medical and other needs of an injured person for the remainder of their life. Life care planning is used by both plaintiffs and defendants involved in personal injury litigation. While most parties seeking life care plans are represented, there is a significant number of pro se litigants amongst...
2022-11-0432 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Alison E. Peck, Author and Law Professor - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 2, 2022Alison Peck is a law professor at West Virginia University and the author of "The Accidental History of U.S. Immigration Courts," an astonishing recollection of the origins and growth of the Justice Department procedures that decide whether immigrants stay or go. Professor Peck described the types of claims heard by these agency courts, the legal authorities relied upon to decide cases, and the adverse consequences for people who are denied the right to stay. Professor Peck urged people seeking asylum to consult a lawyer or the growing number of self-help resources available online. The book is available at...
2022-11-0336 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Emily LaGratta, LaGratta Consulting; David Emanuel, I FIND U - Who Wrote That Up For You? Nov 1, 2022Emily LaGratta at LaGratta Consulting is a lawyer, former public defender, and justice reform innovator. She helps judges and other court professionals reform their operations to benefit court users, primarily pro se litigants. Emily explained "procedural fairness" and its relationship to actual fairness. She also explained the other components of actual fairness in courts and some of the work she's doing to improve it. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmilyLagratta – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eegold – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-gold-lagratta-670121a/ – Visit the website: https://www.lagratta...
2022-11-0229 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Mark M. Bello, Author and Lawyer - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 31, 2022Mark M. Bello practiced law for 25 years before founding a litigation finance company. In retirement, he began writing about a case early in his career in which he got justice for two victims who'd been sexually molested by a Catholic priest. It was easier to tell the story as fiction, and thus began a new career as a legal fiction writer. Mark is the author of several works of fiction based on the legal profession and politics, as well as children's books on bullying. Tune in to hear the raucous debate on legal principles and self-representation. – Connect on...
2022-11-0134 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Co-hosts Sonja and Debra Debate New Research - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 28, 2022"Who Wrote That Up For You?" co-hosts Sonja Ebron and Debra Slone discuss new research on the characteristics of pro se litigants in U.S. federal courts. Law professors Roger Michalski and Andrew Hammond reviewed the dockets of 2.5 million federal cases over a 10-year period to identify the geographic, demographic, and economic backgrounds of the sizable population of people representing themselves in our courts. Their study, "Mapping the Civil Justice Gap in Federal Court," was published by the Wake Forest Law Review in June.    The authors note that their findings "present pro se litigants as a radically de...
2022-10-2918 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Kenn Goldblatt, Author; Doug Noll, Mediator - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 27, 2022Kenn Goldblatt, author of "The Pro Se Litigant's Civil Litigation Handbook," discussed his background as a paralegal and pro se civil litigant, and his desire to help others by sharing his knowledge. Kenn shared the benefits of the book for people handling their own litigation, including understanding the process and some of the options at each phase of a case. He often provides direction and services to pro se litigants who reach out to him for help. The book, published in 2016, is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and AuthorHouse. – Read the book: https://www.authorhouse.com/Bo...
2022-10-2832 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Jill K. Berkana, Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 26, 2022Jill Berkana is the owner of the Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy in Longmont, Colorado, an accelerated certification program for aspiring massage therapists. She has practiced massage therapy for 32 years and has begun offering expert witness services in cases where massage therapists are accused of misconduct, often of a sexual nature in their treatment of clients. Jill shared her experience working with litigators as an expert witness on claims against massage therapists. – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Berkanainstitute/ – Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berkanainstitute/ – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/massageberkana –...
2022-10-2730 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Stephanie Ebron's Winning Case; Paul Campson, Campson Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 25, 2022Stephanie Ebron, Sonja's first cousin, described the home remodeling job that landed her in court. The contractor adjusted the estimate upwards by $20,000 halfway through the job, and when Stephanie wouldn't pay, she damaged the home and sued Stephanie for breach of contract. The contractor was representing her own company in the case, but Stephanie discovered the contractor was required to hire a lawyer and got the case dismissed. The process left her feeling brave, feisty, and ready for a fight. – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sebron1968 – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/step...
2022-10-2627 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Eric F. Wright, Sr. on Trauma and Access to Courts - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 24, 2022Eric Wright practiced law for five years in Louisiana before relocating to New York and serving as a law clerk, an experience that provided unique insights into access to the courts. The traumas held by many people during their interactions with the court are also things he witnessed as a legal and community activist. Eric joined #WhoWroteThat to share his perspectives on the relationships between resources and trauma and court access. A recurring theme was the need to have a "spirit of preparation" in the expectation that dealing with the courts, particularly for people in Black and Brown communities...
2022-10-2528 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Nick Rishwain, Experts.com - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 21, 2022Nick Rishwain at Experts.com explained the difference between fact witnesses and expert witnesses. Where fact witnesses can testify to what they directly saw or heard, expert witnesses have expertise in specific fields that allow them to interpret facts for a judge or jury. Nick also explained that many expert witnesses shy away from working with pro se litigants due to the need for high retainers and the layman's general lack of knowledge about the litigation process. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickJRishwain – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishwain/ – Visit the websit...
2022-10-2233 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Co-hosts Sonja and Debra Recall the Origin Story - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 20, 2022"Who Wrote That Up For You?" co-hosts Sonja Ebron and Debra Slone took the 29th episode of the show to recollect the events underlying the show's name. A deliberate strategy of delaying a foreclosure case found them arguing for the right to depose the bank's lawyer and two vice presidents of the bank. There were discrepancies in the complaint related to a required verification of facts, and Sonja and Debra took full advantage of it to delay answering the complaint for three years.    The oral argument was surreptitiously recorded, and Sonja can be heard urging the court to...
2022-10-2121 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Kitt's Name Change Struggle; Mary Oram, Property Manager - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 19, 2022Kitt never liked her given first name. So when she retired, she sought a court order to change it. There was a local court procedure and forms for changing one's name, but that was the least of her worries. As it turned out, Kitt was required to run a notice in the local paper of record, then change a driver's license and social security record. Still, it took months to get other agencies and corporations to recognize the change.   Mary Oram is a realtor, notary public, and property manager who is constantly fielding disputes between property owners a...
2022-10-2023 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Major Gwen Sheppard Gets Justice In Court - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 18, 2022Gwen Sheppard, a retired U.S. Air Force major, invited a homeless veteran to use her spare bedroom so he could get on his feet. While Gwen was traveling, her new guest became a disruptive presence in the home and a disturbance to others living there. She asked him to leave. He complied the next day, but he also stole or destroyed several thousand dollars worth of her property.    Gwen filed a police report but, seeing no action on the matter for several months, prepared to take it to small claims court. She gathered her evidence and br...
2022-10-1923 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Michael D.J. Eisenberg, The Tech Savvy Lawyer - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 17, 2022Michael D.J. Eisenberg shared the engineering background that caused him to be a constant source of free technical support for fellow lawyers after he launched a small law firm 16 years ago. The experience led him to create The Tech Savvy Lawyer, a website and podcast for sharing technology and practice management tips for lawyers. Michael discussed some of the post-pandemic technological advances that courts have made to ensure they remain open even when the physical doors close, such as widely available teleconferencing for remote and virtual hearings. He also shared three tips to better handle remote hearings...
2022-10-1825 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Erin Levine, Hello Divorce - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 14, 2022Erin Levine of Hello Divorce shared the painful experiences that led her first to law school and then to developing the innovative DIY divorce solution that lowers the cost of dissolving a marriage. She described the difference between "legal tech" and "justice tech" as making lawyers more efficient and easier to hire by people who can afford them versus putting legal consumers in the driver's seat of their own cases. Erin expressed high hopes for the new Justice Technology Association and its mission to grow the #justicetech sector while working with regulators to spur more innovation. – Connect on...
2022-10-1515 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Ibrahim Aissam, eCourtDate; Jared Jaskot, Jaskot Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 13, 2022Ibrahim Aissam described the need for multilingual and accessible court communications and the technology solutions available at eCourtDate to help courts ensure more people receive proper notice of court hearings. He shared some of the adverse consequences of missing a court date, even in certain civil matters, such as landing in jail on contempt charges, or getting arrested and suffering physical harm during routine police traffic stops. Ibrahim said he was driven by the need to provide access to justice for all court users, including those for whom English is a second language. – Connect on LinkedIn: https://ww...
2022-10-1428 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Tom Gordon, Responsive Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 12, 2022Tom Gordon, executive director at Responsive Law, discussed the regulatory barriers that keep people from getting affordable legal solutions. He said state bars are designated by their supreme courts to regulate the unauthorized practice of law and rules against fee-splitting, but the way these regulations are enforced can often prevent innovators from providing new solutions to common legal issues.    Tom shared Responsive Law's efforts to advocate for consumers in regulatory actions nationwide, and some potential good news on that front in Michigan and North Carolina. Those in and around Raleigh-Durham, NC who want to support the work of...
2022-10-1326 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Kristen Sonday, Paladin - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 11, 2022Kristen Sonday, CEO of Paladin, discussed the role of pro bono legal services in closing the justice gap. She also shared her thoughts on ways technology can help support pro bono causes. Paladin makes technology to aid pro bono champions at law firms in matching the firm's lawyers to pro bono opportunities. – Connect on Medium: https://medium.com/join-paladin – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paladin-1668298390082848/ – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/joinpaladin and https://twitter.com/kristensonday – Visit the website: https://www.joinpaladin.com/ For more on the need to fix U.S...
2022-10-1220 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Randolph Frails, Esq., Frails & Wilson - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 10, 2022Attorney Randolph Frails, senior partner at Frails & Wilson Attorneys at Law in Augusta, Georgia, discussed the wide variety of practice areas handled by the firm, from personal injury and estates to real estate and business law. He also discussed the growth of the firm over its 25-year history, from a single lawyer to now five lawyers and nine support staff. Attorney Frails shared several tips for those who must represent themselves in court, including the need to be concise in pleadings, to properly present evidence, and to respect the court in speech and dress. – Connect on LinkedIn: ht...
2022-10-1131 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Isabella's Bad Lawyer Experience - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 7, 2022Isabella and her partner Jo were beneficiaries of Jo's mom's wealthy estate, but they received a paltry check in the mail when mom passed away. The executor, mom's longtime neighbor with a knowledgeable trust manager, was hard to reach and ultimately refused to provide proper accounting for the trust.    Isabella and Jo hired a lawyer with 30 years of experience in probate matters. They paid a $10,000 retainer and then... nothing. After chasing the lawyer for a year and seeing the retainer drained, they learned the lawyer wanted $2-3000 monthly to continue. They never even got the file or th...
2022-10-0824 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Joshua Weaver, TOJI; Claudia Johnson, Law Help Interactive - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 6, 2022Joshua Weaver, director at the Texas Opportunity & Justice Incubator (TOJI), described the incubator's programming to help lawyers provide access to justice to the large latent market for legal services in Texas. TOJI is accepting applications now for the next cohort of justice-minded and entrepreneurial Texas lawyers, a 12-month program that starts in January. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/txoji – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/txoji/ – Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/txoji/ – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/txoji – Visit the website: https://txoji.com/ Claudia Jo...
2022-10-0732 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Stacey Lake, Law Wurk - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 5, 2022Stacey Lake of Law Wurk joined #WhoWroteThat to discuss the challenges and opportunities of hiring nonlawyers for certain legal tasks, such as document preparation and court attendance in family law and eviction proceedings. Law Wurk is available in California, Nevada, Utah, and a few other states that permit nonlawyers to provide direct services to consumers outside the supervision of a lawyer, at a lower cost than retaining an attorney.  Stacey described the aggressive pushback from some lawyers concerned that Law Wurk and similar initiatives violate unauthorized practice of law (UPL) statutes, harm consumers, and take business away f...
2022-10-0624 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Otto Hanson, TermScout; Sonja & Debra Case Blunders - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 4, 2022#WhoWroteThat co-hosts  Sonja and Debra shared some of their early blunders in court. After a failed eviction attempt revealed routine perjury in a property management company's landlord-tenant cases, Sonja and Debra tried playing heroes in court to stop this evil behavior. But they bungled the procedures and saw the case tossed at the very beginning. For those without legal training, competence in court comes from hard losses. Otto Hanson of TermScout discussed the common business practice of providing terms and conditions of service that deprive consumers of their rights. Most consumers never read these terms and rarely u...
2022-10-0529 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Ed Walters, Fastcase - Who Wrote That Up For You? Oct 3, 2022Ed Walters is co-founder and CEO at Fastcase, a provider of software, data, and analytics that allow legal practitioners to work more efficiently. Ed shared the origin story of Fastcase and the gap in legal tools he and co-founder Phil Rosenthal sought to fill. He also discussed the numerous barriers to accessing law and justice, as well as some efforts judges and court administrators could take to address those barriers.  An adjunct professor at Georgetown Law and Cornell Law, Ed gave a masterclass on case dockets and the potential of that data to let us map the l...
2022-10-0426 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Aliza Shatzman, Legal Accountability Project - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 30, 2022Aliza Shatzman is co-founder and president of the Legal Accountability Project, an effort to hold judges accountable for their behavior toward the young lawyers who clerk for them. Aliza's legal career was derailed by a judge she'd served as a law clerk. As it turns out, this judge had a history of abusing his law clerks, and Aliza's law school knew his reputation and withheld that information from her. Aliza is working to create a database of judicial harassment that other law students can use to guide their clerkship choices.    When a judge abuses his power with a...
2022-10-0128 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Miguel Willis, ATJ Tech Fellows; Carolyn Elefant, MyShingle - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 29, 2022Miguel Willis, executive director of Access to Justice Tech Fellows, discussed the summer fellowships for law students looking to create equitable legal access for low-income people. He also expressed a vision for the careers and opportunities these fellows will develop after law school. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ATJTechFellows and https://twitter.com/MiguelElCapiTon – Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atjtechfellows/ and https://www.instagram.com/miguelelcapiton/ – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atjtechfellows/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguelhwillis/ – Visit the website: https://www.law.upenn.edu/futureprofessioninitiative/projects...
2022-09-3026 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Mike Zouhri, PainWorth - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 28, 2022Mike Zouhri suffered a car accident -- a hit and run -- caused by a drunk driver. The process of tracking down the driver was easy compared to getting justice for his injuries. Conventional wisdom was to hire a local personal injury firm on contingency and take the insurance company to court, but Mike disliked the customer service and the economics. He learned to settle the claim himself, and he turned those lessons into PainWorth, an AI-driven tool that helps others settle their own personal injury claims. – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/painworth/ – Conn...
2022-09-2931 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Damian Wilson, TurnSignl; Dwayne Pennant, NC Courts - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 27, 2022Damian Wilson at TurnSignl explained the mission of the traffic-stop app as ensuring the safest interaction for all involved. TurnSignl records interactions with police during traffic stops, as well as with first responders after car accidents, and ensures a local attorney is available to help users enforce their rights. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/turnsignl – Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@turnsignl – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurnSignl/ – Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnsignl/ – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianswilson/ and https://www.linkedin.com/compan...
2022-09-2828 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Georges Clement, JustFix; April Dawson, NCCU Law - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 26, 2022Georges Clement, a cofounder at Justfix, discussed the tools and training available to NYC residents to address housing and eviction issues. He also shared JustFix's partnerships with community organizations in Los Angeles and around the country to offer services outside New York. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/justfixorg – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustFixOrg/ – Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justfixorg/ – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/justfixorg/ – Visit the website: https://www.justfix.org/ April Dawson, associate dean at the NCCU School of Law, shared the...
2022-09-2723 minLawNext
LawNextCourtroom5 CEO Sonja Ebron on Arming Pro Se Litigants to Succeed in CourtFor those who have to go to court without a lawyer, navigating the justice system can be daunting. Courtroom5 is a unique justice tech company that addresses that problem by providing pro se litigants with the training, tools, documents and support they need to represent themselves. For litigants who need extra help, it also offers access to à la carte lawyer services. Our guest this week, Courtroom5's cofounder and CEO Sonja Ebron, was motivated by her own experiences as a pro se litigant to develop a way to help others who find themselves in the same situation. W...
2022-09-2644 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Jesse McCoy, Duke Law; Sally Ingles, SC Legal Services - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 23, 2022J. Hamilton (Jesse) McCoy II, clinical professor of law at the Duke University School of Law, described the work of the Civil Justice Clinic at Duke and the work law students are doing to protect North Carolinians from eviction. He also discussed the purpose of law in society and the varieties of eviction defense under the law. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JHamiltonMcCoy2 – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessehmccoyii/ – Visit Duke Law: https://law.duke.edu/fac/mccoy/ Sally Ingles, marketing communications manager at South Carolina Legal Services, described the fr...
2022-09-2426 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Nicole Morris, Emory Law; Jona Goldschmidt, Loyola - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 22, 2022Nicole Morris, professor of practice at the Emory University School of Law, discussed the need for law students to learn to think like entrepreneurs. She also described the new Innovation and Legal Tech Initiative at Emory Law and its efforts to train future lawyers on the impact of technology on the practice of law. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolenmorris3 – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-morris-b636938/ – Visit Emory Law: https://law.emory.edu/faculty/faculty-profiles/morris-profile.html Jona Goldschmidt, emeritus professor of criminal justice and criminology, discussed his latest book...
2022-09-2331 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Richard Granat, MD Family Lawyer; Mark Atkinson, ILPI - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 21, 2022Richard Granat shared lessons learned from many decades of building and selling legal tech, including the difficulty of educating lawyers on the digitization of the legal profession and its impact on serving the everyday needs of legal consumers. He also discussed the lack of transparency in pricing models for legal services and described the fixed-fee services at MD Family Lawyer, which are bundled with legal advice. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rgranat – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/granatlegalservices/ – Visit MD Family Lawyer: https://www.mdfamilylawyer.com/ – Visit Law Product Makers: https://www.lawp...
2022-09-2228 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Mbye Njie, Legal Equalizer; Vanessa Lech, Divorcing Adults - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 20, 2022Mbye Njie said the goal of the Legal Equalizer mobile app is to help prevent people from being forced into the criminal justice system by pretextual police traffic stops. He also expressed frustration with the venture capital community as a Black founder of a tech startup who's experienced moving the goalposts on traction. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/legaleqapp – Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LegalEqualizer – Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legal_equalizer_app/ – Visit the website: https://legalequalizer.com/ Vanessa Lech of Divorcing Adults discussed the ability of media...
2022-09-2128 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Mauricio Duarte of A2J Tech; Yousef Kassim of Easy Expunctions - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 19, 2022A2J Tech COO Mauricio Duarte discussed the No Code movement in software development and the tools they're using to help legal aid agencies, law firms, and justice tech companies build technology that improves access to justice. Mauricio shared his philosophy on the broader meaning of "access to justice" beyond having access to courts or lawyers. – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoA2JTech – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a2j-tech-store/ – Visit the website: https://www.goa2jtech.com/ Yousef Kassim, founder of Easy Expunctions, described the dire consequences for people...
2022-09-2027 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?Camila Lopez of People Clerk; Journalist Jason Tashea - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 16, 2022People Clerk co-founder and CEO Camila Lopez discussed the experiences that drove her to create an app for people (mis)handling small claims without a lawyer She also described how People Clerk works to prepare customers to present their cases properly in court.  – Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeopleClerk – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleclerk/ – Visit the website: https://www.peopleclerk.com/ Justice reporter Jason Tashea announced a fellowship program he's building to improve access to justice. He also shared the inspiration that led him to release a 10-part specula...
2022-09-1725 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?NCCU Law Professor Kevin P. Lee on AI and Ethics - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 15, 2022Professor Kevin P. Lee at NCCU Law discussed the wide-ranging impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including applications affecting legal rights, and the programs he is building to embed ethical considerations. He also offered a short course on the topic of jurisprudence (philosophy of law) and the need for the law to be accepted by the people governed by it. – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/proflee/ – Read on Medium: https://kevinplee.medium.com/ For more on the need to fix U.S. courts, subscribe to "Who Wrote That Up For You?" wherever you...
2022-09-1627 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?DispatchJustice on Traffic Stops; AAAS and Civil Justice - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 14, 2022Beyond the potential for physical harm that could result from a police traffic stop, there's the often unfair expense of a traffic ticket and the time lost from work to fight it. We speak with Elizabeth Richardson, Arkansas lawyer and founder of DispatchJustice.com, on their efforts to make a lawyer available by smartphone when you're stopped by the police.  – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dispatchjustice/ – Visit the website: https://www.dispatchjustice.com/  We also hear from Eduardo Gonzalez, a lawyer with deep roots in the access-to-justice movement, on the work of the...
2022-09-1519 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?UniCourt's Legal Data; activist Eric F. Wright, Sr. - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 13, 2022UniCourt's head of data operations, Jeff Cox, talks about the power of data to improve access to justice.   – Visit the UniCourt website: https://unicourt.com/ – Connect with Jeff Cox on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffCoxEsq – Connect with UniCourt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UniCourtInc  Hear about the challenges self-represented litigants face from activist Eric F. Wright, Sr., a former lawyer with his own difficulties navigating the civil justice system.  – Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericwrightlinked   For more on the need to fix U.S. courts, subscribe to "Who Wrote...
2022-09-1424 minWho Wrote That Up For You?
Who Wrote That Up For You?#WhoWroteThat Back Story; Brian Vukadinovich - Who Wrote That Up For You? Sep 12, 2022"Where'd you get the name?" We hear that often at Courtroom5, so we start the podcast with the back story of its name. In this first episode, we explain that a judge's question during oral argument -- "Who Wrote That Up For You?" -- sums up the experience of people without lawyers in U.S. courts. Get the full story on the Courtroom5 blog. We speak with Brian Vukadinovich, a highly experienced pro se litigant and author of "Motion for Justice: I Rest My Case," available at fine bookstores everywhere. As a young man, Brian fought a...
2022-09-1327 minThe Geek In Review
The Geek In ReviewSonja Ebron and Ed Walters Collaborate on Courtroom5 and Fastcase to Help Pro Se Litigants Access JusticeWe all know that it takes some "outside of the box thinking" to help improve the legal system in the United States, especially when it comes to Pro Se litigants. Courtroom5 CEO and co-founder Sonja Ebron does exactly that with her startup focused on guiding Pro Se litigants through complex court processes. Ed Walters, CEO and co-founder of Fastcase wants the legal industry to stop trying so hard to reinforce that "box." Together, Ebron and Walters are creating a process to help litigants access and navigate the court system through a combination of case process instructions, legal information, Artificial...
2022-05-2638 minStartup Savant
Startup SavantAccessible Justice with Sonja Ebron of Courtroom5Sonja Ebron is the founder and CEO of Courtroom5, a SaaS startup that assists users trying to navigate the legal system. Having started two other companies prior to Courtroom5, Sonja is not new to the startup sphere. Sonja’s own personal experience in court propelled her to create a product that strives to increase access to justice. Although she is not a lawyer herself, Sonja has a PhD in electrical engineering and draws on her academic and engineering background to develop the tools needed to help others tackle the complexities of the legal system. Connect with Courtroom5 on...
2022-03-231h 05Reimagining Justice
Reimagining JusticeSelf-representation and AI-enabled "trial playbooks" with Sonja EbronIn episode no. 66, I speak with Sonja Ebron, founder of Courtroom5. The discussion covers: Sonja's personal experience as a litigant and how that relates to her work today; The types of matters Courtroom5 is best (and not!) suited to, who and how it assists; How the patterns in the law support AI, and how that fast-tracks self-represented litigants' understanding of their matters; The factors for litigants to do best using Courtroom5; The tools Courtroom5 employs to alleviate emotional distress; The importance of support during litigation and how Courtroom5 provides that; What a "trial playbook" is; How Courtroom5 engages...
2021-10-1850 minThe Friday Nooner
The Friday NoonerGrepBeat Happy Hour Recap, plus guest Sonja Ebron (Courtroom5)Pete, Joe and guest co-host Chantal Allam talk happy hours, royalty deals and podcasting during pandemics before welcoming guest Sonja Ebron, the CEO of Durham’s Courtroom5.
2021-10-1533 minABA Journal: Legal Rebels
ABA Journal: Legal RebelsThis online platform aims to help pro se litigants with complex civil casesSonja Ebron and her wife, Debra Slone, saw firsthand how difficult it can be to represent yourself in civil cases through experiences they had being sued and suing others.Ebron says the couple’s legal battles spanning several different practice areas ultimately prompted them to develop a platform called Courtroom5, an online toolbox that helps self-represented litigants handle their cases from start to finish. Unlike many other technological tools for pro se litigants, Ebron says Courtroom5 is particularly well-suited to help people with complex civil matters and can be utilized by consumers nationwide. “Our go...
2021-08-1830 minFounders Unfound
Founders UnfoundDr. Sonja Ebron - Courtroom5OUR SPONSORS FOR THIS EPISODE:Founders Livethe global venue for entrepreneurs to experience events, content, and community.Check out founderslive.com to join and to find a live event streaming from your city.In this episode Sonja and Dan discussed:growing up in Durham NCThe call to engineeringThe career arc between academia and entrepreneurshipWhy the legal system can feel riggedHow African Americans are, by necessity, innovative and entrepreneurialDr. Sonja Ebron Co-founder and CEO of Courtroom5, a company that makes an automated legal toolbox th...
2021-06-1152 minRipples of Radical Generosity
Ripples of Radical GenerosityBuilding an Automated Legal Toolbox with Sonja Ebron + Debra Slone of Courtroom5"The vast majority of people who need us have never heard of us, or don't know anything like this exists. And so our biggest challenge is finding them and making them aware there is a solution." — Sonja Ebron, Courtroom5 In this episode Join Sonja Ebron + Debra Slone of SheEO Venture Courtroom5 in the latest episode of the SheEO.World podcast. They chat with SheEO founder Vicki Saunders about how their automated legal toolbox has the potential to help millions of people in civil court, and some of the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Co...
2021-06-0419 minLegalTechLIVE
LegalTechLIVESonja Ebron, Founder of Self-Represented Litigant Startup Courtroom5 - LegalTechLIVE - Episode 081 Are you experiencing workplace discrimination or a custody battle? Are you in bankruptcy or a debt collection case? Are you struggling with a personal injury case or facing foreclosure? Arm yourself with the tools to fight. The legal toolbox at Courtroom5 levels the playing field so you get a fair hearing in court. See why 7 out of 10 people who resolve their cases at Courtroom either win or settle. Winner of the 2019 Duke Law Tech Lab pitch competition, Courtroom5 is helping self-represented litigants to represent themselves more effectively in court. For $25 a month, they are offering informational assistance and guidance through...
2020-05-2841 min