Hosted by Innovation for Justice (i4J), a social justice innovation lab at Arizona Law, the convening brought together JTA members, advisors, and staff alongside i4J students, civic engagement leaders, and justice innovators across the US. The event offered a rare and meaningful opportunity for changemakers in justice tech to come together in person, share ideas, and strengthen networks.

“There’s something powerful that happens when people doing this work get in the same room,” said a JTA representative. “The ideas sparked, the partnerships seeded, and the energy shared remind us that this movement is being built by real people solving real problems – together.”

– Maya Markovich, JTA Executive Director

The convening featured working sessions and discussions on urgent legal challenges, including eviction defense, legal aid capacity, and access to protective orders. What became clear through these conversations is that justice tech has a vital role to play—but so does community. Sharing space, building trust, and exchanging ideas in person has lasting value in a field often defined by its digital tools.

The event culminated in the Changemaker Award ceremony, presented by Dean Jason Kreag and Arizona Law faculty. The award recognizes individuals or organizations advancing justice through innovation, inclusion, and impact. JTA was deeply honored to receive this recognition as a nonprofit trade association supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs who are reimagining legal access through people-centered technology.

“JTA is advancing the concept that everyone deserves access to useful, affordable legal tools. And they’re building those tools. Not to replace the legal system, but to open it up – to make it more equitable, more human, and more accessible,” remarked Interim Dean Jason Kreag. “Under the leadership of Maya Markovich, JTA has become the hub of a growing movement – supporting founders, shaping policy, and raising a collective voice to say: the law belongs to everyone, not just those who can afford it.”

JTA was founded in 2022 and has since grown into a national network of justice tech startups, strategic partners, and supporters working to address the access to justice crisis through ethical innovation. Receiving the Changemaker Award is not only a celebration of that work – it’s a signal that the legal ecosystem is ready for change, and that the momentum is growing.

As Maya noted during the acceptance speech: “The law is the operating system for society – and that system is overdue for an update.” 

The opportunity to convene with members, advisors, and allies at Arizona Law was a meaningful milestone in JTA’s journey. We’re deeply grateful to the i4J team for their partnership and vision, and to the law school for providing a home for forward-thinking legal innovation. We hope this convening becomes the first of many to come.

We left inspired – and more energized than ever to continue building a more just, inclusive legal future.

Ready to Get Involved? Join the Movement

The post Building Community, Driving Change: Highlights from the Inaugural i4J x JTA Member Convening first appeared on Justice Tech Association.

Maya’s words resonate deeply within the justice tech community, pointing to a crucial gap between potential and actualization. Addressing this gap could catalyze transformative improvements in how legal services are delivered, making them more accessible to those who need them most. As we continue to explore and support this evolving field, the insights and leadership from figures in the JTA ecosystem are invaluable in guiding the way forward. 

For more details on the challenges and opportunities in justice tech, read the full article here.

The post Justice Tech’s Growing Edge: Insights from JTA’s Maya Markovich first appeared on Justice Tech Association.

LexLab partnered with JTA, as well as our strategic partners Village Capital and Gener8tor, to orchestrate a transformative 10-week startup accelerator program. This initiative ended with Demo Day, an annual business pitching competition hosted by LexLab at UC Law San Francisco on November 14, 2023. With the outstanding cohort of justice tech startups showcasing their pioneering solutions, Demo Day marked an exciting milestone for the program participants on their journey to increase access to affordable legal services.

Maya Markovich’s contribution as an expert judge, alongside other investors from NVentures and Olga Mack from LexisNexis, highlights the justice tech sector’s growing momentum and impact in promoting access to affordable legal services at the dynamic intersection of law, technology, and innovation.

Read more details about the LexLab justice tech cohort, competition, and winners.

The post Justice Tech Startups Take Center Stage at LexLab’s Demo Day first appeared on Justice Tech Association.