About the Guest(s):
Maya Markovich is a “recovering lawyer” with a deep passion for integrating technology into the legal industry to enhance access to justice. Maya graduated from UC Law SF, formerly known as Hastings, and practiced law before transitioning into the legal tech space. She is the founder of Justice Technology Association (JTA), a trade association focused on leveraging technology to close the access to justice gap, collaborating with startups, investors, courts, clinics, academia and journalists.
Drew Amerson is the Director of LexLab at UC Law SF, a center he helped launch to foster innovation in law and legal technology. Drew has experience as an entrepreneur, having started his own company, Swift Counsel, that connected skilled lawyers with firms and companies on a project basis. Drew also teaches at UC Law SF, where he directs an accelerator program and educates law students about the intersection of law and technology.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Accelerator Insider, we explore the world of legal technology and justice tech with Maya Markovich and Drew Amerson, who are leading the charge in supporting startups through the Justice Tech Accelerator program. They discuss the significant role technology can play in addressing the vast access to justice gap in the United States and explore the complexities of innovating within a heavily regulated industry.
The conversation delivers crucial insights into the collaboration between academia and industry, highlighting the partnership between Justice Technology Association, LexLab at UC Law SF, and external organizations like Generator and Village Capital. The guests outline the program’s structure, its unique offering of comprehensive mentorship, and the importance of inclusive support for startups tackling legal challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- The Justice Tech Accelerator is a collaboration aimed at closing the access to justice gap through technology, serving as a niche yet burgeoning space within accelerators.
- The program boasts the most significant number of applications relative to previous cohorts, indicating a strong market demand and need for justice-focused technological solutions.
- External partnerships with organizations such as Generator and Village Capital provide tailored curriculum support and assist in sourcing and nurturing companies.
- The legal industry faces regulatory challenges inhibiting tech adoption, presenting both hurdles and investment opportunities for startups that can navigate them effectively.
- The accelerator prioritizes connecting startups with networks of legal professionals to facilitate growth and gain traction in the justice tech landscape.
Accelerator Insider Recording: