Raleigh, NC — Legal Aid of North Carolina’s (LANC) Innovation Lab has garnered national recognition from leading industry organizations, including Thomson Reuters and the ABA Journal, for its transformative use of technology to expand access to justice.
In an article titled “AI and Legal Aid: A Generational Opportunity for Access to Justice,” Thomson Reuters highlighted LANC’s pioneering efforts. The article spotlighted LANC’s AI-powered Legal Information Assistant (LIA), developed in partnership with LawDroid, which provides actionable legal resources for issues such as domestic violence, child custody, landlord-tenant disputes, and consumer law.
The Thomson Reuters article also emphasized the broader impact of generative AI on legal aid, noting that “more than 50 million low-income Americans don’t receive any or enough legal help for 92% of their civil legal problems,“ according to the Legal Services Corporation. LANC’s use of AI bridges the justice gap by improving efficiency, allowing legal professionals to focus on strategy and client support instead of spending time answering routine inquiries that can be handled by LIA.
Similarly, the ABA Journal, in its feature “Access to Justice 2.0: How AI-powered Software Can Bridge the Gap,” recognized LANC’s leadership in legal technology innovation. The publication praised LIA for reducing administrative burdens on court staff and empowering individuals to navigate the legal system more effectively.
“National recognition from esteemed organizations like Thomson Reuters and the ABA Journal validates the impact of our work,” said Scheree Gilchrist, Chief Innovation Officer at LANC. “Our Innovation Lab isn’t just about technology; it’s about creating sustainable, equitable solutions that ensure justice is accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.”
Since its inception, the Innovation Lab has launched a series of forward-thinking projects designed to break down barriers to justice, including:
- LIA: An AI-powered legal assistant on legalaidnc.org, providing answers to legal questions anytime, anywhere, and in multiple languages
- LANC & Libraries: Expanding access to essential legal resources through strategic partnerships with local libraries.
- LANCMobile: A mobile legal intake unit delivering vital legal services directly to underserved communities, with a focus on reaching rural areas.
- EZ Expunge: A revamped expunction tool that streamlines the process of clearing criminal records, helping to remove barriers to employment and housing.
To learn more about the Innovation Lab, visit legalaidnc.org/innovation-lab.