By the Seattle Social Justice Hackathon

Seattle, Washington, Nov. 6-7, 2015 – Seattle University School of Law will host its first “Social Justice Hackathon.” Law students, lawyers, and developers will collaborate to create technology-based solutions aimed at increasing access for those in need of legal services. This event is open to the public.

The Social Justice Hackathon is designed to bring people together for a two-day experiential event to pitch ideas and create solutions that will address the barriers faced by those who cannot afford legal services. Teammates or individual contributors will engage in programming over a two-day period. Representatives from various legal aid organizations in Seattle will provide data and discuss unique issues that they and their clients face and the types of solutions they seek. Attendees will have the opportunity to present their hackathon applications on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the conclusion of the event. The judges will vote for the most practical and feasible solutions and the winning teams will receive prizes and support to continue their endeavors.

Miguel Willis, a second-year law student at Seattle University School of Law says “The goal of the hackathon is not just to build more tech applications, but to truly get around restrictions or barriers prohibiting low-income or moderate means individuals from receiving access to legal services.” This hackathon provides a great venue for the legal and tech community to collaborate in an innovative way. The hackathon will highlight judges and speakers in the social justice community, such as the Hon. Donald Horowitz, a pioneer in the access to justice community; Marty Smith, founding director and CEO of Metajure, Inc.; and Milan Markovic, professor at Texas A&M University School of Law.

The hackathon has also attracted the attention of companies who are eager to engage with developers, lawyers, and like-minded community members supporting the social justice call to action. Washington’s Access to Justice Technology Principles state: “There is a particular need to avoid creating or increasing barriers to access and to reduce or remove existing barriers for those who are or may be excluded or underserved, including those not represented by counsel.” This two-day event is the result of work