A2J Author at Illinois Legal Aid Online Chris Alfano, Automated Document Producer

BY THE NUMBERS… ILAO offers 74 automated documents for pro se users and legal aid advocates 52 of those documents are A2J interviews Over 19,000 A2J interviews run during January 1 – June 30, 2016 Over 8,500 documents assembled by A2J interviews during that time period Interviews Run (A2J and HotDocs) January 1 – June 30, 2016 Documents Assembled (A2J and HotDocs) January 1 – June 30, 2016 39,297 19,555

WHEN TO use a2j author Some factors which favor using A2J Author: When starting a new automated document project, you must choose whether to use HotDocs or A2J Author for the interview component. Some factors which favor using A2J Author: The interview is for pro se users The interview will take less than 30 minutes to complete The interview will help explain a legal process

Sample HotDocs interview Divorce without children https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/divorce-without-children

Sample a2j interview Name change for an adult https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/name-change-adult

HOW a2j author BENEFITS PRO SE USERS A2J Author can make the interview easier for pro se users by: Breaking question blocks into more manageable portions Providing “Learn More” and “Pop-Up” screens Offering an intuitive and easy user interface Explain a legal process while users fill out their forms: The early questions can be used to explain the legal remedy Tell the user what information needed to complete the interview The final questions can outline the next steps and how to file

CHOOSING WHICH FORMS TO AUTOMATE The best A2J interviews: Offer legal remedies that pro se users can achieve on their own Can be used anywhere within a state/province Involve areas of law that are underserved by attorneys Most popular automated forms (interviews launched/assemblies): Divorce (10162/4323) Order of Protection (5127/4145) Parenting Plan (2367/964)

Development process Scope Document Work with Developer Testing Publish Explains the goal of the project, scenarios covered, etc. Contains an interview outline and/or specific question text Work with Developer Communicate with developer throughout process Use web conferencing to demo features Testing Test locally and on the HotDocs/A2J server Get help from interns, other staff members, etc. Publish Communicate with partner organizations Check periodically for updates to the law Continual improvement based on user feedback

a2j interview structure Introduction (legal advice disclaimer, info needed, name and gender, etc.) Qualifications (better to exclude users who do not qualify as early as possible) Case Information (this step collects the substantive information filled in on the form) Notice Information (method of service, whether the other party is represented by an attorney, etc.) Conclusion (how to save and print, what to do next, etc.)

Thank you! Contact Info: Chris Alfano calfano@illinoislegalaid.org (312)977-9047 ext. 27