Issue-Spotting Happy Hour

The New York Legal Hackers converged on Hudson Station in midtown Manhattan last week to brainstorm topics for the next few months of discussion and collaboration.

Issues covered included voting, open source software, and non-profits. We look forward to hearing how attendees intend to put these important discussions to practice! Check out these suggestions the NY Legal Hackers live tweeted!

Why do open source companies no longer get tax exempt status? Is this possible after IRS/Tea Party scandal? #LegalHack

— NY Legal Hackers (@legalhackNYC) September 28, 2013

How can we make electronic voting secure? #LegalHack

— NY Legal Hackers (@legalhackNYC) September 27, 2013

Should the DOJ have compulsory prosecutions? Should this be left to the states? #LegalHack

— NY Legal Hackers (@legalhackNYC) September 28, 2013

Startups Disrupting the Legal Industry

Last month’s Legal Hackers Meetup was part demo night, part panel, and part lively discussion about technology and the future of legal practice. Entitled “Startups Disrupting the Legal Industry,” it was hosted by General Assembly, and featured demos from Shake, Lawdingo, CaseRails, and Priori Legal. The demos were followed by a panel that included the startups’ founders, plus Jennifer Berrent, a partner at WilmherHale who works with emerging companies. Prof. Jonathan Askin, founder of the Brooklyn Law Incubator and Policy Clinic, moderated.

A few consistent themes emerged throughout the evening: technology can make life better for both lawyers and their clients, but it’s being underutilized. There is an opportunity for consumer technology companies to capture the currently neglected “long tail” of the legal market. And startups working in legal technology face unique challenges because of the risk-averse nature of the profession and because of regulatory obstacles.

Thank you to all of the participants and attendees!

Startups Disrupting the Legal Industry

500 (million?) !

We are so pleased to announce that New York chapter of Legal Hackers has reached a stunning 500 members! We are so happy to make this exciting announcement, and we thank all current members for making it possible!

It's official: the NY Legal Hackers now have 500 members! Thanks to all who have supported the group-we could not ask for a better community

— NY Legal Hackers (@legalhackNYC) July 13, 2013

ADR for Startups: The Future of Dispute-Resolution Mechanisms

Last week, the Legal Hackers convened at Projective Space to discuss the future of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for startup companies. Said organizer and moderator Giulio Zanolla:

#legalhack TIL 1/3 of start-ups fail due to internal founder issues…I can see that

— Rachel Kamerman (@sourire9182) July 4, 2013

Although established companies often have the resources to continue the success of their businesses, startups face an uncomfortable tension–when startup founders get into a seemingly insurmountable dispute, they are often faced with the temptation to end things before they get worse. Mr. Zanolla suggested that ADR may serve well in these uncomfortable situations.

Moderator Giulio: #ADR is a toolbox that allows #startup founders to make more rational decisions http://t.co/XEQZTb3l4w #LegalHack

— NY Legal Hackers (@legalhackNYC) July 3, 2013

As always, the Legal Hackers posed some fascinating questions to our panel. But the recurring theme of the evening was setting founder expectations early, properly preparing for disagreement, and using mechanisms that avoid the hot-headed and irrational decisions that come with dispute.

Question from audience: how important is it to be in same room? Answer: it can be very beneficial, but not always. Time matters. #LegalHack

— NY Legal Hackers (@legalhackNYC) July 4, 2013

Audience: Internet often comes up w/best practices, but not in the legal world. Why not? Answer: maybe in the next few years! #LegalHack

— NY Legal Hackers (@legalhackNYC) July 4, 2013

A huge thanks to our panelists for the evening:

Giulio Zanolla – Associate Mediator at Weinstein Melnick LLC

Vivek Boray – Partner at De Franceschi & Shefayee LLP

Jesse Sandoval – Co-Founder/CEO of MindSwell

Yaron Vilosny – Founder/CEO of JusticeBox.net

And a particularly huge thanks to our sponsor, JusticeBox!