The Technology Conference Planning Committee gratefully acknowledges the generosity of Simpson Thacher and Bartlett, LLP for the Conference refreshments.
The Technology Conference Planning Committee extends its deep appreciation to New York Law School: Anthony W. Crowell, Dean and President, for hosting this event; and Kraig Beaudoin, Senior Director, Office of Events Management, and Shaun Giblock, Event & Media Production Technical Specialist, for their invaluable assistance.
The Permanent Commission extends its sincere gratitude to the NYSTech members of the Technology Conference Planning Committee, who worked tirelessly with the Chair of the Permanent Commission’s Technology Working Group, Deborah Wright, to make this event possible. Particular thanks go to Jeff Hogue, John Greiner and Christine Fecko. In addition, thank you to Just-Tech and LegalServer for providing Sched.org.
This series of presentations will highlight exciting technologies currently in use or within reach of the New York State civil legal aid community.
Statewide Access Portal Project (Glenn Rawdon, Program Counsel for Technology, Legal Services Corporation)
Online Consumer Portal Pilots (Christopher Schwartz, Deputy Director, Legal Hotline & Legal Assistance for the Self-Represented, City Bar Justice Center; Anna Hineline, Technology Coordinator, Legal Assistance of Western New York)
Pro Bono Law Firm IT Initiative and Training Pilot (Michael Donnelly, Chief Information Officer, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP)
Presenters will examine the importance of incorporating the user perspective in the design, usability and fitness of online information and tools. Topics will include user interface design, user goals and needs, user testing and addressing service gaps.
Aligning Potential Projects with User Needs (Jeff Hogue, Community Relations and Operations, LegalServer; Co-Chair, NLADA Technology Section)
Surprises in Real World User-Testing (Rochelle Klempner, Chief Counsel, NYS Courts Access to Justice Program)
User-Interface Evaluations (Tony Lu, Product Manager, Immigration Advocates Network, Pro Bono Net)
This panel will explore the benefits to the civil legal services provider community of sharing data and creating uniform data standards, including better data collection, improved resource allocation and support for increased private funding.
Data to Support Evidence-based Research (David Udell, Executive Director of the National Center for Access to Justice and Visiting Professor at Cardozo Law School)
Uniform Data Standards in Statewide Online Access Systems (Wilneida Negron, Project Manager at Florida Justice Technology Center)
Toward Openness and Interoperability of Information-and-Referral Systems (Greg Bloom, Chief Organizing Officer, Open Referral Initiative)
Philanthropy’s Approach to Data (Shawn Morehead, Program Officer, New York Community Trust)
Video of breakout session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3wlTDReVI8
Tabletop demonstrations and discussions of innovative tech projects.
Advocate and Legal Services Assisted Document Assembly Programs, NYS Courts Access to Justice Program (Rochelle Klempner, Chief Counsel; Sun Kim, Special Counsel for Technology Initiatives)
Citizenshipworks, Immigration Advocates Network (Sandra Sandoval, Program Manager; Tony Lu, Product Manager)
Closing the Gap, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (Melody Harkness, PAI PBIF Coordinator; Michael Grunenwald, Pro Bono Net)
Innovations in Online Legal Screening and Triage Tools, Pro Bono Net (Niki DeMel, Pro Bono and Special Initiatives Coordinator)
Salesforce, Volunteer Legal Services Project (Bryan Babcock, Finance/Database/IT)
Volunteer Management via Salesforce, Legal Services NYC (Adam Heintz, Director of Pro Bono Services; Nicole Jeong, Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney)
WriteClearly/ReadClearly, LawNY (Anna Hineline, Technology Coordinator)
Topics to be discussed include a review of top threats to civil legal aid providers; data breach notification and liability issues; tips for determining who to follow on tech and security matters; basic security health checklists; and recommendations for leadership and tech policy setting.
Security Fundamentals (Michael Hernandez, Director of Consulting Services, Just-Tech)
Technology Policies (Michael Donnelly, Chief Information Officer, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP)
Breach Notification (Tina M. Foster, Foster Law Firm)
Topics will include best practices in managing more secure internal and cloud-based environments; mobile and BYOD security issues; data breach risk reduction; developing security governance and audit capacities; and current trends in security.
Scott Arciszewski, Developer, LegalServer
Joseph Melo, Director of Engineering, Just-Tech
Peter Lesser, Director, Global Technology, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP)
Mary O’Shaughnessy, Manager, Information Technology, Her Justice
Video of breakout session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb3lXCR6lnU
Technology managers will discuss topics of importance to providers statewide, in order to enable them to navigate common challenges, and partake in innovative tech projects and new resources. The session will explore document management systems and technology training for advocates and support staff.
Document Management Systems (Ray Burke, Staff Attorney, Empire Justice Center; John Roman, Director, Electronic Discovery and Information Technology Operations, Nixon Peabody; Michael Donnelly, Chief Information Officer, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP;)
Primer on Document Management Solutions (DMS)
The Value of DMS for the Legal Aid Community
Report Back on the Empire Justice Center’s DMS Project
Technology Training for Advocates and Support Staff (Anna Hineline, Technology Coordinator, Legal Assistance of Western New York;Gina Buser, Chief Executive Officer,Traveling Coaches; Ellen Kearns, Technical Trainer, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz)
The Value of Professionl Technology Training
The Challenges of Developing Effective Training Programs
New Statewise Training Initiatives
Video of breakout session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFEL94ffE7E
Participants will be able to choose to attend two of the 30-minute targeted conversations on topics of interest to directors and managers, as identified below. Each facilitated conversation will max out at about ten people, in order to allow for a one-on-one exchange of information and experience.
Table 1: Managing Mobile Devices at Work
What are appropriate policies for managing how your staff use their mobile devices for personal use? For work use? How can you maintain client confidentiality and ensure security? What about remote access?
Rochelle Klempner (NYS Courts),
Sun Kim (NYS Courts) and
Glenn Rawdon (LSC)Rochelle Klempner (NYS Courts),
Sun Kim (NYS Courts) and
Tony Lu (PBN)Each session facilitator will report out the key points from their sessions. The panel will then offer feedback on the day’s conference and discuss ways to implement the technology priorities of New York’s civil legal services community.
Deborah Wright, President UAW Local 2325; Chair, Technology Working Group, Permanent Commission on Access to Justice
Mark O’Brien, Executive Director, Pro Bono Net
Shawn Morehead, Program Officer, New York Community Trust
Glenn Rawdon, Program Counsel for Technology, Legal Services Corporation
Nishan DeSilva, Chief Technology Officer, Corporate External Legal Affairs, Microsoft
Closing Remarks
Helaine M. Barnett, Chair, Permanent Commission on Access to Justice; President, Legal Services Corporation (2004-2009)