Affordable Legal Help: How a Non-Profit Law Firm is Answering the Call (Kamron Graham, Executive Director, The Commons Law Center)
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
Release Date: 05/09/2024
Affordable Legal Help: How a Non-Profit Law Firm is Answering the Call (Kamron Graham, Executive Director, The Commons Law Center)(Replay)
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
Studies determined that at least one litigant does not have a lawyer in 75% of civil cases in the United States. The number is even higher when it comes to family law, domestic violence, housing, and small claims matters. But organizations like are doing something about it. On this episode, Kamron Graham, the Law Center’s Executive Director, talks about the not for profit law firm’s efforts to provide affordable legal assistance to people that make too much to qualify for legal aid, but don’t make enough to hire a lawyer. The Commons Law Center helps out people facing evictions, have...
info_outline
From Paper Routes to Tech Routes: Helm360 CEO Bim Dave's Unique Path in the Legal Industry
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
A conversation with , CEO of , a consultancy focused on helping law firms optimize technology investments. Bim shares his experience in the legal tech space, tracing his journey from a technical support role at Elite (later acquired by Thomson Reuters) to leading a consultancy dedicated to improving law firm operations through strategic technology implementation. The discussion covers the critical aspects of data migration, the benefits smaller law firms can derive from technology, key factors for successful software implementation, and perspectives on hyped versus underutilized technologies...
info_outline
Funding Legal's Future: As Legal Tech Matures, What Attracts Investors? (Yelena Shkolnik - Jump Capital)
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
A conversation with , a partner at , a venture capital firm with growing interest in legal tech companies. Yelena shares her journey from investment banking and entertainment finance to the world of venture capital, highlighting her focus on identifying transformative technologies. The conversation delves into Jump Capital's investment philosophy, particularly their thematic approach and focus on Series A and B funding rounds. Yelena articulates what makes a legal tech company attractive to Jump, emphasizing the importance of demonstrated traction, a strong team dynamic, and a deep...
info_outline
From Bail Hearings to Blockchain Believer and Advocate: DeFi Education Fund's Amanda Tuminelli (CLO)(Replay)
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
, Chief Legal Officer for the , visited the podcast in September to discuss her crypto journey, her role with the organization and its objectives. Since then, she was promoted and is now the Executive Director of DEF which is a nonpartisan research and advocacy group working to explain the benefits of DeFi, achieve regulatory clarity for the future of the global digital economy, and help realize the transformative potential of DeFi for everyone. Amanda goes in depth into the DEF’s areas of focus: Research and Advocacy Policymaker Education Messaging for Crypto Companies ...
info_outline
Building and Documenting Better Legal Workflows: Insights from Systemology Author David Jenyns
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
In this episode, author of "" and business systems expert, David Jenyns, discusses the importance of systemizing business processes, even in the nuanced field of law. Jenyns debunks the myth that legal work is too bespoke to be systemized, explaining how just like any other business, documenting legal workflows unlocks scalability and creativity. He shares his journey from digital SEO agency owner to becoming a systems expert and outlines the seven steps of his Systemology framework. Key Topics: The importance of documenting processes in any business, including legal services. How...
info_outline
How a Legal Powerhouse Maintains Its Edge in an Evolving Tech World (Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO LexisNexis North America, UK & Ireland)
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
A conversation with Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO of LexisNexis, North America, UK, and Ireland. Fitzpatrick discusses how LexisNexis is integrating AI into its products to enhance legal practice. The discussion covers the company's approach to innovation, the role of AI in improving attorney efficiency and client outcomes, and the future of legal technology. Key topics include LexisNexis's AI assistant "Protégé," the company’s philosophy on AI, and the impact of AI on the legal profession. [0:09-1:43] Introduction to Sean Fitzpatrick and LexisNexis's focus on AI in legal tech. [2:05-4:37]...
info_outline
Element Standard: Building Client Trust Through Litigation Transparency (Jaron Luttich - CEO)
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
A conversation with Jaron Luttich, co-founder of Element Standard, a legal tech startup designed to bring transparency and organization to litigation. Jaron discusses how Element Standard's "CONTROLit" app and litigation cartography help litigators manage cases, improve client communication, and streamline internal processes. He highlights the disconnect between traditional legal practices and modern client expectations for transparency, drawing comparisons to consumer experiences like ride-sharing and package tracking. Jaron also addresses how the litigation management software can enhance...
info_outline
Revolutionizing Dispute Resolution: AAA's Acquisition of ODR.com; The Future of AI-Powered Arbitration (Best of Replay)
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
This episode involves two people with very distinguished careers. who now heads the and , the founder of just acquired by The AAA. Bridget has served in just about every role you can in the legal industry. She started her legal career in legal aid and as a public defender handling trials and appeals. She then moved to teaching law school, first at Yale and then Michigan. After her stint as an educator, she decided she wanted to help foster even more change and won a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court where she ultimately ascended to the position of Chief...
info_outline
The Future of Real Estate is Here (and It's on Blockchain) -Daniel Rollingher (GC Fabrica)
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
This episode features Daniel Rollingher, co-founder of Fabrica, a company leveraging blockchain technology to revolutionize real estate ownership. Rollingher discusses Fabrica's innovative approach to putting real estate titles on chain, creating a more transparent and efficient system for property transactions. He explains how Fabrica's platform uses NFTs to represent property ownership, simplifying the process of buying, selling, and managing real estate assets. The conversation also explores the legal framework behind Fabrica's blockchain real estate platform, including the use of trusts...
info_outline
From Tractors to Timekeeping: Jack Weinberger’s (CEO Ajax) Legal Tech Journey
Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast
Jack Weinberger, co-founder of Ajax, a legal tech app that handles timekeeping for lawyers, shares his unconventional journey from finance to legal tech. Jack discusses his experiences in investment banking and private equity, and how those roles, while not directly related to law, sparked his interest in entrepreneurship and ultimately led him to the world of legal tech. He details the challenges of building a legal tech company, emphasizing the importance of understanding the specific needs of lawyers and addressing the critical concerns of data security. Jack also provides insight into...
info_outlineStudies determined that at least one litigant does not have a lawyer in 75% of civil cases in the United States. The number is even higher when it comes to family law, domestic violence, housing, and small claims matters.
But organizations like Oregon’s Commons Law Center are doing something about it. On this episode, Kamron Graham, the Law Center’s Executive Director, talks about the not for profit law firm’s efforts to provide affordable legal assistance to people that make too much to qualify for legal aid, but don’t make enough to hire a lawyer.
The Commons Law Center helps out people facing evictions, have family law issues or need help with wills and estate planning.
Kamron initially planned to pursue a career in finance but pretty quickly figured out that her empathy and concern for others probably might not jibe with a Wall Street career. After returning to Oregon after college in the Northeast, Kamron started her career working in group homes, homeless shelters and served a stint with the United Way.
These experiences made clear to her that a professional degree might help her have a greater impact on people's lives and give her even more of an opportunity to use her education to help others. So, in her 30s she decided to go to law school.
After law school continued her career helping the underserved, including work for Legal Aid Services of Oregon and work as a public defender.
Eventually she landed at the Commons Law Center, starting as a tenant defense attorney and ascending to the role of executive director.
The business model of the Commons Law Center is not free legal work, but charging a sliding scale fee based on a client's income. Currently 70% of the firm's budget comes from fees. The firm is working to become 100% self-sufficient, but in the meantime to fill the gap, the firm leverages tech to streamline their processes and keep costs down. It also relies on donors, foundations, and grants.
** Thanks to former Technically Legal Guest John Grant for making this episode happen and connecting us to Kamron.