2016 TIG Conference

As of 2016, the Legal Services Corporation will be requiring its grantees to collect information about outcomes achieved in extended service cases and to report annually to LSC how they are using the information to manage their programs. LSC has created a toolkit to assist grantees and others in collecting outcome data. This interactive session will feature a demonstration of the toolkit and a discussion of best practices for collecting and using outcomes data.

What's the benefit of a tech investment, and when it is worth the expense? What’s the best way to think about the return on investment of a technology project in quantitative terms? In this session, we’ll talk through the core concepts around how to consider and weigh the costs and benefits of technology projects. Then we’ll work together as a group to collaboratively identify some of the most effective and measurable elements you can use to predict the return on investment for innovative projects. You’ll leave with a clear framework to help you think through innovative technology investments at your own organization.

This session will offer practical, but not fear-mongering advice on the reasonable measures that Legal Aid firms can and should invest in to protect themselves from malicious hackers and data breaches. Topics will include how to assess risk; the pros and cons of cloud computing; safely deploying mobile technology, such as smartphones and tablets; protecting your network; educating your staff; and contract negotiation tips. The content will be information-rich but acronym-poor for an audience that is responsible for the smooth operations of the firm, but not necessarily "techie."

With a heavy focus on cloud-based services, this session will cover many of the technology issues related to Business Continuity. Specially, we’ll cover data backup solutions and common issues, replication of data and services, fail-over of services, as well as recovery at secondary sites including community partner locations, commercial providers and using many individual locations (i.e. homes, libraries, coffee shops). We will also discuss some of the top security and compliance considerations.

All too often legal aid programs have great technology and/or great legal advocacy but never the twain shall meet; technology is developed without advocate input and litigation is brought without the benefit of technology. This session will include panelists who have mastered the integration of technology and advocacy through inclusive technology planning, training, implementation, and evaluation.