Littler is holding a student app competition in association with Cornell Tech and Neota Logic on 6 December at the Cornell Tech campus in New York City, featuring apps developed by students participating in the Cornell Law course, Delivering Legal Services Through Technology. The course is taught by adjunct professor Scott Rechtschaffen, Littler’s chief knowledge officer, along with Cornell tech associate Dean Matt D’Amore, and Neota Logic’s VP of education & community programs, Kevin Mulcahy. Rechtschaffen observed: “It’s more important than ever for law students to understand the intersection of technology and law.”
The second annual Legal App Competition will feature expertise-automation apps The course curriculum was designed to help students understand the rapidly transforming legal landscape while also developing the hands-on app-development skills that are becoming critical in the practice of law.
Students from the J.D. and LL.M. programs at Cornell Law School and Cornell Tech have developed rules-based legal tech apps on the Neota platform on these topics:
US Citizenship Advisor: How can I become a US citizen?
US Asylum Advisor: Can the person qualify for asylum?
US Green Card Advisor: Can I work legally in the US?
US Visa Advisor: What kind of visa can I qualify for?
US Immigration Relief Advisor: Guidance for people seeking to stay in US legally
NY Divorce Counselling Assistant: Support for people considering divorce in NY
Assistance Dog Advisor: Guidance on the rights of service dog companions
The judges for the event are:
Meredith Williams-Range – chief knowledge and client value officer, Shearman & Sterling LLP
Joshua Fireman – president & founder, Fireman & Company
Sarah St.Vincent – director, computer security clinic for survivors of intimate partner violence at Cornell Tech
“I look forward to seeing all of the hard work of the students come to fruition,” Rechtschaffen said. “It’s more important than ever for law students to understand the intersection of technology and law and for law schools to give students hands-on technical skills to help them thrive in the new age of the legal profession.”
“We’re very pleased at Cornell Tech to offer our students the opportunity to explore the legal tech arena while developing applications for the non-profit community,” said Matthew D’Amore, Associate Dean at Cornell Tech and Professor of the Practice at Cornell Law School. “Utilizing technology for the public good is an important part of our mission, and it’s gratifying to see the students put that principle into practice.”
“This course exemplifies the growing trend of delivering legal services by leveraging technology, which extends lawyers’ reach, improves effectiveness, and brings legal services to people who otherwise would not get them,” said Kevin Mulcahy, VP of Education and Community Programs for Neota Logic.
The teams will be judged in a number of categories, including “Excellence in User Experience,” “Excellence in Leveraging Technology” and “Best Overall Application.”
The event will take place at the Tata Innovation Center at the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City. It’s open to the public at no charge, but attendees must register here. Doors open at 1:30 PM EST and the program is from 2:30-4:30 with a reception to follow. The event can also be viewed online via live stream starting at 2:20 PM.