Studies determined that at least one litigant does not have a lawyer in 75% of civil cases in the United States. The number is even higher when it comes to family law, domestic violence, housing, and small claims matters.

But organizations like Oregon’s Commons Law Center are doing something about it. On this episode, Kamron Graham, the Law Center’s Executive Director, talks about the not for profit law firm’s efforts to provide affordable legal assistance to people that make too much to qualify for legal aid, but don’t make enough to hire a lawyer.

The Commons Law Center helps out people facing evictions, have family law issues or need help with wills and estate planning.

Kamron initially planned to pursue a career in finance but pretty quickly figured out that her empathy and concern for others probably might not jibe with a Wall Street career. After returning to Oregon after college in the Northeast, Kamron started her career working in group homes, homeless shelters and served a stint with the United Way.

These experiences made clear to her that a professional degree might help her have a greater impact on people's lives and give her even more of an opportunity to use her education to help others. So, in her 30s she decided to go to law school.

After law school continued her career helping the underserved, including work for Legal Aid Services of Oregon and work as a public defender.

Eventually she landed at the Commons Law Center, starting as a tenant defense attorney and ascending to the role of executive director.

The business model of the Commons Law Center is not free legal work, but charging a sliding scale fee based on a client's income. Currently 70% of the firm's budget comes from fees. The firm is working to become 100% self-sufficient, but in the meantime to fill the gap, the firm leverages tech to streamline their processes and keep costs down. It also relies on donors, foundations, and grants.

Learn more about Kamron.

A conversation with Bim Dave, CEO of Helm 360, a consultancy focused on helping law firms optimize technology investments. Bim shares his experience in the legal tech space, tracing his journey from a technical support role at Elite (later acquired by Thomson Reuters) to leading a consultancy dedicated to improving law firm operations through strategic technology implementation. The discussion covers the critical aspects of data migration, the benefits smaller law firms can derive from technology, key factors for successful software implementation, and perspectives on hyped versus underutilized technologies in the legal field. Bim also offers a glimpse into the potential future of law firms, emphasizing the transformative role of AI.

Editing and Production: Grant Blackstock

Theme Music: Home Base (Instrumental Version) by TA2MI

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A conversation with Yelena Shkolnik, a partner at Jump Capital, a venture capital firm with growing interest in legal tech companies. Yelena shares her journey from investment banking and entertainment finance to the world of venture capital, highlighting her focus on identifying transformative technologies.

The conversation delves into Jump Capital's investment philosophy, particularly their thematic approach and focus on Series A and B funding rounds. Yelena articulates what makes a legal tech company attractive to Jump, emphasizing the importance of demonstrated traction, a strong team dynamic, and a deep understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities within the legal industry.

Yelena provides a nuanced perspective on the billable hour model and the potential for technology, including AI, to reshape legal workflows and access to justice. She also shares her thoughts on the necessity of legal background for founders and whether legal tech will eventually just become "tech".

Key Takeaways:

• A deep understanding of the legal industry's nuances and specific problems is crucial for attracting legal tech investment.

• While AI presents significant opportunities, the entrenched nature of law firms and the complexities of legal workflows require thoughtful and targeted solutions.

• The rise of legal operations within enterprises is driving demand for technologies that enhance efficiency and manage risk.

• The consumer side of legal tech holds significant potential for expanding access to justice.