Every year at the ABA TECHSHOW, the eLawyering Task Force recognizes an organization, law firm or lawyer with the James I. Keane Award for Excellence in eLawyering. The Immigration Advocates Network will receive the award this year for its exemplary work in using technology to broaden access to justice and reduce barriers faced by vulnerable communities.
E-lawyering refers to all the ways that lawyers can practice law online using associated technologies. Last year, the Immigration Advocates Network partnered with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Pro Bono Net and Mobisoft Infotech to develop an innovative and popular mobile app that offers an eligibility screening tool, a legal help finder, polls and FAQs for potential beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The Immigration Advocates Network has also spearheaded the development of two helpful websites: Own the Dream, providing free online DACA legal screenings and many other legal resources, and CitizenshipWorks, which helps lawful permanent residents understand and apply for U.S. citizenship.
The James I. Keane Award will be presented during ABA TECHSHOW 2014 at a special luncheon on Thursday, March 27. Matthew Burnett, director of the Immigration Advocates Network, will accept the award.
More information on the award can be found at www.techshow.com/award. Past winners have included Richard Granat of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (2013); Hargrove Madden LLP of Louisville, Ky. (2012); Legal Aid Society of Orange County (2011); Lee S. Rosen of Raleigh, N.C. (2010); Stephanie Kimbro of Wilmington, N.C. (2009); and Cowell Taradash PC of Chicago (2008).
The Immigration Advocates Network is a collaborative effort of leading immigrants’ rights organizations designed to increase access to justice for low-income immigrants and strengthen the capacity of organizations serving them. IAN promotes more effective and efficient communication, collaboration and services among immigration advocates and organizations by providing free, easily accessible and comprehensive online resources and tools. For more information, see www.immigrationadvocates.org.
