About us
Human Centered, Collaborative, Transformative Services
Mission
The mission of the Lab is to engage in transformative innovation that improves the delivery of legal services, expands access to justice and addresses inequity in the delivery of legal services in rural areas.
Vision
A dedicated hub for identifying and implementing new solutions for bridging the justice gap.
Goal
The Lab will bring together clients, community partners, law schools, staff, and justice tech experts to pursue projects that integrate technology and design best practices into legal service delivery that improves access to justice.
Our Projects
What have we done so far?
In the Works
Modernizing Access
We are revamping Legal Aid of North Carolina’s intake process to create a more efficient, user-friendly system that expands access to legal services and improves client experiences.
2nd Chance
Our innovation lab is creating tools, such as an expunction petition generator that cuts preparation time from 2 hours to 15 minutes, and forming partnerships with community colleges to streamline expungement and reentry services, helping individuals overcome legal barriers to employment, housing, and stability.
Bridging the Divide
We are leveraging technology, trusted partner networks, and mobile legal services to close the rural-urban access gap and ensure equitable legal support for underserved communities.
AI and Emerging Tech
Through AI-driven solutions like our Legal Information Assistant (LIA), we are exploring ethical, human-centered ways to enhance legal service delivery and empower clients with accessible legal information.
Meet the Team
Scheree Gilchrist
Chief Innovation Officer
Learn More about Scheree
Contact Scheree
Andre Campbell
Project Manager, Design and Implementation
Learn more about Andre
Advisory Board
Jeff Kelly, Advisory Board Chair
Partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Learn more about Jeff
Jeff Ward
Duke Law
Learn more about Jeff
Sonja Ebron
PhD electrical engineer and former college professor
Learn more about Sonja
Pegeen Turner
Legal Cloud Technology
Learn more about Pegeen
Diane Littlejohn
North Carolina Central University School of Law
Learn more about Diane
Caitlin Moon
Vanderbilt Law School
Learn more about Caitlin
Maya Markovich
Justice Technology Association
Learn more about Maya
Camille Stell
Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services
Learn more about Camille
Natalie Knowlton
Founder of Access to Justice Ventures
Learn more about Natalie
Warren Savage
Lawyers Mutual
Learn more about Warren
Joseph Garner
American Bar Association
Learn more about Joseph
Matt Miller
DocuSign
Learn more about Matt
Get Involved
Pitch an Idea
Are you a Tech or Justice Tech company with an innovative access to justice solution? We’d love to hear from you! Share your idea with us by completing the interest form below.
Partner with us
At our Innovation Lab, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change and progress. Companies and individuals alike have the opportunity to partner with us to harness the latest technologies and creative thinking to tackle complex challenges and explore new possibilities.
Whether you’re a startup looking to scale, a corporation seeking innovative solutions, or an individual with a passion for innovation, we invite you to sign up using the form below.
Internship Opportunities
Legal Aid of NC is expanding its MLK program to include an opportunity for an intern to work alongside Legal Aid of NC’s Chief Innovation Officer in LANC’s Innovation Lab (LIL). The law student intern will work work with our Chief Innovation officer and program staff to identify and design new solutions and best practices that improves our delivery of legal services.
Donate
Our unique service model combines innovations with local, accessible offices that are staffed with passionate and talented attorneys, paralegals and support staff who are experts in their practice area.
This approach ensures that every vulnerable North Carolinian has access to the best advocacy possible. But we cannot do this alone!
Contact us
To learn more and get involved email us at LANCInnovates@legalaidnc.org.
Headlines & Happenings
Need legal help but can’t afford a lawyer? Mobile Legal Aid bus will help
Click here to read this article published by The Mountaineer
LawNext: How One Legal Aid Program Is Creating A Culture Of Innovation To Enhance Access to Justice
Talking About the Innovation Lab on Talk Justice
Legal Aid of North Carolina's Innovation Lab Receives National Recognition for Legal Tech Initiatives
Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Innovation Lab Celebrates One-Year Anniversary
Legal Aid of North Carolina Launches AI-Powered Virtual Assistant to Enhance Access to Justice
Innovation Lab at Legal Aid of North Carolina Aims to Revolutionize Access to Justice
Legal Aid of North Carolina's Chief Innovation Officer, Scheree Gilchrist, Named Recipient of Triangle Business Journal's 2024 Women in Business Awards
Legal Aid of North Carolina Launches First Legal Services Innovation Lab in the Country
