Quinten Steenhuis discusses using legal tech to close the justice gap. He talks about tech competence, collaboration tools, AI, automation in the legal system, and more. Learn about innovative tech solutions for legal access and the potential of AI in aiding self-represented parties.
Leveraging technology like TurboTax for legal processes enhances access to justice through streamlined electronic filing.
Promoting a tech-forward mindset among lawyers increases efficiency and improves legal services, emphasizing tangible benefits of technology.
Deep dives
Quentin Steynhouse's Innovative Approaches to Legal Tech and Access to Justice
Quentin Steynhouse, practitioner in residence at Suffolk University Law School, shared insights into leveraging technology for access to justice. Steynhouse emphasized building tools like TurboTax to guide individuals through legal processes and streamline electronic filing for courts and legal aid programs, aiming to bridge the access to justice gap. By focusing on practical solutions and user-friendly innovations, Steynhouse highlights the importance of hands-on teaching and real-world applications in legal tech education.
Embracing Technology Competence Among Lawyers
Steynhouse highlighted a growing interest in legal technology competence among lawyers following awakenings prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted a shift towards embracing technology to improve legal practice, with lawyers increasingly open to innovative approaches. By emphasizing the tangible benefits of technology in enhancing legal services and increasing efficiency, Steynhouse encourages a shift towards a tech-forward mindset in the legal profession.
Utilizing AI and Generative Tools in Document Automation
Steynhouse discussed the promising role of AI, specifically Generative AI, in document automation tools to enhance user experience. By leveraging Generative AI to extract vital information from user narratives and guide them through answering crucial questions, the document automation process becomes more intuitive and user-friendly. This approach aims to simplify complex legal procedures and improve access to justice by tailoring tools to suit the needs of diverse users effectively.
Inspiring Legal Tech Career Paths and Tech-Forward Innovations
Steynhouse advocates for inspiring law students and new lawyers to explore non-traditional career paths in legal tech and innovation. By bringing industry experts and professionals to the classroom to share their journeys, students gain valuable insights and diverse perspectives on potential career trajectories. Through mentorship, exposure to innovative approaches, and practical examples, Steynhouse aims to cultivate a new generation of legal professionals enthusiastic about leveraging technology to transform the legal landscape.
The core of what Quinten Steenhuis does at Suffolk University’s Legal Innovation and Technology Lab is find new ways to help poor people gain access to legal help to work toward closing the justice gap. Dennis and Tom talk with Quinten about his work in this space to learn more about legal tech’s uses and potential for solving large-scale problems in the justice system. Quinten explains specific tech developed at the Lab, talks about tech competence and education amongst attorneys and law students, shares his favorite collaboration tools, and much more. Quinten also digs into the best current uses of AI and automation and their many possibilities for solving more problems for lawyers.
As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends.
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Quinten Steenhuis is Practitioner in Residence at Suffolk University Law School and founder of Lemma Legal.