LSC's 2020 Innovations in Technology Conference

For centuries, the Bar has said only a lawyer can engage in the practice of law: people shouldn’t charge for expertise they don’t have or people shouldn’t perform tasks for which they lack skills. But, do claims of harm prevention go too far? Do the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) rules harm people by preventing them from getting the help they need? Do they prevent people or computers from performing tasks that they can do well, even if these might be "the practice of law"? Are there best policies and practices that would protect librarians, social workers, organizers, counselors, navigators, "trained advocates," and even some computer software applications - especially in nonprofit settings (or, only in such settings) - from the UPL prohibitions? Join this discussion of necessities, pros, and cons, of the multiple models proposed for UPL rules reform. Reform efforts are moving forward across the country, often led by for-profit tech companies under the banner of expanding access to justice. But which reforms are good for people in need and which would truly expand access to justice? Join this discussion of the pros and cons of the multiple models proposed for UPL rules reform.