At UTS, technology and the law are colliding to create a more just future.
A collaboration between UTS Law, tech company Neota Logic, and supported by law firm Wotton Kearney, is opening the door to justice for people and communities across Australia.
If you’ve ever worried about the potential of AI to drive inequality, turn your attention to UTS Law. By harnessing the power of technology, students are increasing access to justice for people facing disadvantage.
This impact is the result of the Law Tech Challenge, an extracurricular opportunity that has been part of the UTS Law Faculty’s highly respected Brennan Justice and Leadership Program since 2016. Delivered in partnership with software company Neota Logic, it challenges participants to develop AI web applications that deliver socially just outcomes. The Challenge is made possible through the philanthropic support of Wotton Kearney, with thanks to Allens for their support from 2016 to 2024.
During the Challenge, Law students work in teams of five supported by Neota Logic’s software and Wotton Kearney’s mentoring and guidance, to solve real-world problems for a select not-for-profit organisation. The results are nothing short of remarkable. Through the Challenge, students have built apps to help financial abuse survivors find work (Arise Foundation), connect people with community legal services (Western Sydney Community Legal Centre) and spread the word on international humanitarian law (International Committee of the Red Cross), to name a few.
Image: The landing page image of the app UTS students developed for Arise Foundation. This app assists survivors of financial abuse in re-entering the workforce by providing expert help in drafting CVs and cover letters.
“The Challenge is a bit of magic. It throws together students, not-for-profits and Neota’s software with the legal expertise of Wotton Kearney, and hey presto! A few months later we have apps that are truly enacting social justice. It helps people – and just quietly, it’s fun!” says Dr Sacha Molitorisz, who directs the Challenge at UTS Law.
Despite being an extracurricular activity (students don’t receive course credit for participating), the Law Tech Challenge is extremely popular among participants of the Brennan program, which seeks to strengthen students’ justice consciousness, idealism and sense of service. The Challenge reflects their innate desire to use the law as a force for good, and it also prepares them for what the UTS Law teaching team calls a ‘tech-rich future’ – where new technologies will continue to reshape the legal sector.
The Challenge is a bit of magic … we have apps that are truly enacting social justice.
This vision of using the law and technology as agents of community engagement and social change is shared not only by the UTS Students but by Neota Logic and Wotton Kearney as well. It’s why Wotton Kearney has committed to funding the program over the next three years.
As well as providing many hours of pro bono mentorship, expertise and legal advice for the Challenge, Wotton Kearney is making a $45,000 USD donation. This will allow Neota Logic to supply software and professional app developers to work alongside future Law Tech Challenge participants, helping them transform their big ideas into justice-centred solutions.
“Wotton Kearney is delighted to become the new philanthropic partner for the UTS Law Tech Challenge,” says Heidi Anderson, Partner at Wotton Kearney. “We are excited to collaborate with the next generation of change makers to create practical tools that respond to community needs and inspire a new generation to see social justice as part of their professional purpose.”
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