Legal Rebels

Clearing Obstacles: Noella Sudbury is helping people expunge their criminal records

Noella Sudbury knew she was onto something big when she helped organize Utah’s first free “Expungement Day” in 2018.

Feb 1, 2025 12:05 AM CST

2025 Legal Rebels: Rebels Without a Pause

For the 2025 class of Legal Rebels, we have chosen to honor seven individuals and one state licensing board. These rebels were not content with waiting for change to come to them. They were already hard at work trying to improve important aspects of the legal industry well before anyone knew what ChatGPT and generative artificial intelligence were.

Feb 1, 2025 12:00 AM CST

2024 Legal Rebels: Game-changing AI

Time will tell if generative AI is the real deal or just hype. But right now, it’s a cutting-edge form of technology that’s already in the process of changing the legal profession and the practice of law. And that’s rebellious.

Feb 1, 2024 3:30 AM CST

Rewiring Entry: How AI could blur the borders of immigration law

When veteran immigration lawyer Greg Siskind used a beta version of Casetext’s artificial intelligence legal assistant CoCounsel for research in a class action lawsuit, it was a “light bulb” moment for him.

Feb 1, 2024 12:08 AM CST

Age of e-Discovery: Generative AI could revolutionize e-discovery—but buyer beware

Typically cautious with new technology, attorneys are dipping their toes into “a sea change” of new generative artificial intelligence tools for e-discovery.

Feb 1, 2024 12:07 AM CST

e-Sign on the Dotted Line: When it comes to using generative AI and contracts, the devil is in the details

Along with drafting and reviewing, generative AI can leverage contract datasets for strategic insights to help mitigate risk and negotiate, manage and assess contracts.

Feb 1, 2024 12:06 AM CST

Head of the Class: Law schools consider post-ChatGPT coursework

ChatGPT’s unveiling sparked conversations among law faculty, with opinions ranging from banning GPT platforms in certain classes to encouraging experimentation to reconsidering law school pedagogy.

Feb 1, 2024 12:05 AM CST

Always on: Will generative AI alleviate burnout or make lawyers more miserable?

History is littered with examples of how hot new technologies meant to make us more productive led to unintended consequences, including stress and burnout. When it comes to generative artificial intelligence, will things play out differently?

Feb 1, 2024 12:04 AM CST

Helping Hand: Generative AI already is making an impact on legal research and writing

Lawyers who expect generative artificial intelligence to significantly impact the practice of law see some of the greatest potential in legal research and writing.

Feb 1, 2024 12:03 AM CST

Bridging the Gap: Lawyers trying to increase access to justice see promise in generative AI

For lawyers working to close the justice gap, generative artificial intelligence could be a real game changer.

Feb 1, 2024 12:02 AM CST

Locked in: Criminal justice startups tap into generative AI’s early promise

As two ABA Journal 2022 Legal Rebels build on their lofty ambitions to create a more equitable criminal justice system, they now have another tool at their disposal: generative AI. They have wasted no time in putting it to use.

Feb 1, 2024 12:01 AM CST

Freedom Fight: Working tirelessly to free her brother from prison inspired Janis Puracal’s Forensic Justice Project

Janis Puracal helps people who are trying to prove their innocence after a conviction. But she also works with clients pretrial to reveal any flawed or misleading forensic evidence to prevent a conviction in the first place.

Feb 1, 2023 12:08 AM CST

Building Bridges: Patrick Palace draws on his experience to demystify technology and push for regulatory reforms

Patrick Palace’s current volunteer work includes serving as vice chair of the ABA Center for Innovation and secretary of the National Conference of Bar Presidents—two groups with members who sometimes don’t agree on regulation changes in the law.

Feb 1, 2023 12:07 AM CST

True Calling: Ameelio platform helps inmates communicate more easily with family and get an education

Uzoma Orchingwa and Gabriel Saruhashi used their savings to launch the technology nonprofit Ameelio in March 2020. The duo offers families a free mobile app that allows them to send letters into prisons.

Feb 1, 2023 12:06 AM CST

Thought Leader: Natalie Anne Knowlton’s research has provided an important foundation for regulatory reform efforts

Natalie Anne Knowlton’s work for the IAALS has provided data and reference for states that have overhauled or are considering modifying their UPL regulations to allow for alternative business structures or limited nonlawyer practice.

Feb 1, 2023 12:05 AM CST