LSAC's Justice Innovation Challenge

DESCRIPTION OF THE CHALLENGE

The Justice Innovation Challenge (the “Challenge”) hosted by the Law School Admissions Council (“LSAC”) and administered by the Access to Justice Tech Fellows program is seeking solutions for innovative ways law students can serve communities. The Challenge is designed to (1) encourage and inspire law students to solve a real-world access to justice need or problem that they have identified, (2) to demonstrate their creativity and inventiveness at developing a solution that is aimed at addressing the real-world access to justice need or problem that they have identified, and (3) to provide an opportunity to earn a monetary prize in recognition of their accomplishment.  The winning submission (as defined herein) will be selected in accordance with these Official Rules from qualifying submission and prizes will be awarded to eligible winning Participants (as defined herein).  The Challenge will take place pursuant to and in accordance with these Official Rules.

AGREEMENT

To participate in the Challenge, you must agree to these Rules. Therefore, please read these Rules prior to entering. Your entering constitutes agreement to these Rules. These Rules form a binding legal agreement between you and the LSAC with respect to the Challenge. The LSAC reserves the right to amend these rules at any time. 

ELIGIBILITY

Each individual or team of individuals entering the Challenge provided for in these Official Rules shall be deemed a "Participant.”  Any current law student of a participating ABA accredited institution can participate in the Justice Innovation Challenge individually or as part of a team (with a maximum of four members per team). Each team leader must be a current law student. The rest of the team members can be from any walk of life (i.e. belong to the same institute OR another institute, or not be a student at all)! Challenge judges and employees of LSAC, and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, agents and their immediate families and people living in their households, are not eligible to participate. LSAC, at its sole discretion, shall determine eligibility of any individual or entity, and may disqualify any Participant at any time for any reason. In the event of a conflict or potential conflict between Submissions, LSAC, in its sole discretion, may choose to reject or disqualify one or more Submissions. 

CHALLENGE PERIOD

The official Challenge period is between April 15 and July 19, 2019 (“the Challenge Term”), you must register and submit a complete official entry form, which must be received on or before July 8, 2019 at 11:59 p.m., EST.  The official entry form can be found on the (“Challenge Website”) Registration and Submissions will be accepted only via the Challenge Website. All registrations and Submissions must be in English. You must provide a valid email address, which will be the means to communicate with you. All sections of the registration and/or Submission forms must be completed to create a valid submission into the Challenge (“Submission”).

The submission link for the Challenge will not go live until early June. Participants should prepare all their materials based on the requirements within these official rules of the Challenge and upload their submission them when the platform goes live, up until thThe final submission requires, and to be deemed complete it must include, each of the following: (i) basic biographical information on the Participant(s), (ii) description of the identified real-world access to justice need or problem to be solved, (iii) a description of the proposed solution to the identified need or problem, and (iv) (A) a basic idea drawing (any type), illustration, or photo of the prototype for the product(s) invented to solve the identified problem or need; or (B) if said product is an “App”, a mockup wire frame of the interface that is inter-active, or a minimal viable product (MVP) of the user interface (in either case, such a submission herein after referred to as “Mock-up”). 

The file size of the Mock-up is limited to a maximum size of 15MB.  The sponsoring organization who will benefit from the solution. Submissions will be deemed to be in final mode at the end of the Challenge Term. e deadline of the Challenge.

LIMIT: ONE (1) SUBMISSION PER PARTICIPANT.

Subsequent Submissions from the same Participant or email address will be disqualified. In the event of a dispute over identity, the Submission will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail account associated with the Submission. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

In the event two or more Submissions/ideas are substantially similar, only the first one entered will be considered. Submissions may not contain advertisements, commercial endorsements, or any material that is indecent, obscene, hateful, discriminatory, defamatory, slanderous, libelous, unlawful or otherwise inappropriate as determined by LSAC in its absolute discretion. Any inappropriate Submissions or material may be disqualified by LSAC in its sole discretion. LSAC accepts no responsibility for Submissions lost, delayed, damaged, defaced, or mislaid, howsoever caused. 

Submission Form Requirements: All Challenge Participants must clearly and concisely complete all eleven (11) sections of the Idea-Submission form: 

i. What is the name of your idea? 

ii. Summarize your idea. (128 characters or less) 

iii. Describe your idea and how it addresses the challenge. (1,500 characters or less) 

iv. How would your idea serve a local community? (1,500 characters or less) 

v. Is this solution available right now? (Yes/No)

vi. Who will use the solution? (1,200 characters or less) 

vii. What makes your idea unique? (1,200 characters or less) 

viii. Include links to visual assets, napkin sketches, video, voice-overs, diagrams, examples or anything else that might help illustrate your idea. 

ix. The name of your sponsoring organization

If an idea Submission is made on behalf of a group of individuals, a company, or any other type of organization (a “Team”), the person making the Submission on behalf of the Team (the “Captain”) must: (a) disclose as part of the initial Submission the name of the company or organization, if any, and the names of all individuals participating in the Submission (“Team Members”); (b) certify that the Captain has the right to act on behalf of the Team (be it an entity or a group of individuals) and all Team Members; (c) agree to these Rules on behalf of the Team and all Team Members, and (d) be a legal resident or citizen of the United States or hold a lawfully issued student visa, work permit, or other documentation entitling the Captain to work or receive compensation for work in the United States. In addition, each Team Member must individually register on the Challenge Website and accept these Rules during the Challenge Term. Failure to do so may result in disqualification of the submitted idea from further consideration in this Challenge.

JUDGING CRITERA

Evaluation of Submissions will occur in three (2) rounds. On or about Monday, July 19 2019, judging will begin, and will continue until approximately Monday July 31, 2019, after which time the top 10 Submissions will move on to a virtual pitch session on August 21, 2019 before an esteemed panel of judges. The decisions of the judges will be final in all instances. On or about August 21, 2019, the winners will be notified.Judging Criteria: Judging will be based on the following screening criteria: Impact

• Is the project likely to make a significant, sustainable difference, now or in the future?
• Will the project inspire or inform others?

• Inclusive: meaningfully engaging key stakeholders and community members - thoughtfully identifying those needed to create the intended change and, whenever possible, including those directly affected by the problem.
• Collaborative: a true joint effort, with partners willing to share ownership and decision-making as they pursue an innovation together.
• Resourceful: using existing resources and assets creatively to make the most of what a community already has.

• Is the project plan thoughtful, realistic and does it address the identified community need?
• Does the applicant have the capacity to execute the work effectively or have a plan to meet the needed capacity?

The criteria used in making these selections are as set forth in Paragraph 5(a) of these Official Rules.  In the event, the initial number of Participants is insufficient to allow for five (10) Entries to be selected, meaning that the LSAC receives and/or there remains five (10) Entries or less in total, all Entries received and remaining in that Category which have completed the requirements set forth will automatically advance to Stage 2 of the Contest.

The Participants who submitted the Entries selected as semi-finalists will then need to submit a “Pitch Deck” -- a Power Point presentation that does not exceed 12 slides which must include, at a minimum, at least one slide addressing each of the following items: (i) the problem and the solution as seen by the inventor(s); (ii) target audience(s) information, including, but not limited to, who will use the solution or service defined in detail; potential size of the target audience, and why the target audience needs the proposed solution; (iii) a sustainability model for the proposed solution; (iv) a marketing and outreach plan (go to market) strategy; (v) description of how the Participant(s) would use any prize won, monetary, to develop his/her/their proposed solution into a viable product; and (vii) a description of the Participant’s or Participants ‘background demonstrating their passion for addressing this issue.  Power Point slides are expected to be clear and easy to read and to understand.

In addition to the foregoing Pitch Deck, the Participants who submitted the Entries selected as Semi-finalists will also need to submit an updated and refined version of the Mock-up that was initially submitted at. If an idea drawing, illustration, or photo of prototype for the product(s) invented to solve the identified problem or need was submitted, this means a more advanced version thereof; if a mockup wire frame or interface that was inter-active or a minimal viable product (MVP) of the user interface was submitted, this means a more detailed version thereof. The file size of the updated Mock-up is limited to a maximum size of 20MB, and it is to be identified as the “updated” version of the Mock-up upon its submission.  The foregoing described Pitch Deck and Mock-up must be submitted, in accordance with or before noon on August 15 2019.

On or Monday August 21, 2019, the top 10 Submissions will present to the judges through a virtual pitch session to showcase the solutions. Each Semi-finalist will be afforded the opportunity to be assigned a mentor who will seek to provide advice and guidance to the semi-finalist in his/her/their efforts for as long as he or she/they remain in the Contest; however, completing all tasks associated with the Contest are the sole responsibility of the Participants.  The decision whether to accept assignment of a mentor is at the discretion of each Participant or team of Participants selected to advance to be a Semi-finalist.  The panel of judges will determine first through third place from the semi-finalist. On or about Mo, 2019, the top 5 Submissions will be announced publicly. The dates are subject to change. 

PRIZES

The following monetary awards are available: 

a. First Place (1): US $15,000 

b. Second Place (1): US $10,000 

c. Third Place (1): US $5,000 

Fewer Submissions may receive awards or be recognized at any designated level if an insufficient number of qualified Submissions are received, as determined by the judges in their discretion. Each of the Top 3 Submissions is solely responsible for the payment of any taxes that may arise as a result of acceptance of a recognition award. Each award will be in the form of a single payment to the Participants’, regardless whether the Participant is an individual, group of individuals, company or other form of organization. All other Team awards will be made in the name of the Captain. Awards cannot be transferred or substituted. Limit one award per Participant regardless of the number or quality of Submissions from that Participant. LSAC reserves the right to alter/increase/decrease award amounts and the number of rewards. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WINNERS

A member from each winning team will be required to attend the winners showcase event at Microsoft Innovation Policy Center in Washington D.C. on September 26, 2019. One member from each winning team will be covered for all expenses related to attend the winners showcase. Including, but not limited to travel and hotel accommodations. Each winning team will also be required to provide a written summary of progress and activities regarding their submission as directed by the LSAC. The summary is due on November 29, 2019 . The summary should be between 300 and 500 words and include how the progress made on implementing the solution, how the prize money has been spent, what specific actions have been taken, and what has been learned. 

LEGAL RIGHTS IN YOUR SUBMISSION

By entering a Submission, you represent and warrant that: (i) you are able to comply with these terms and conditions and your Submission is not subject to any conflicting obligations that would prevent or interfere with your compliance with these terms and conditions; (ii) your Submission does not make unauthorized use of or violate in any way any rights of any 3rd party, including but not limited to copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or rights of publicity; and (iii) no one else’s permission is required for you to make your Submission in this Challenge or to use your idea as contemplated under these terms and conditions. Without limiting the foregoing, you represent and warrant that you have complied with any requirements of your employer, if any, to allow your participation in the Challenge, including but not limited to making your Submission and accepting any recognition award you may receive. 

TAXES

All taxes are the responsibility of the prize winner, and that all entrants shall comply with any requirements of LSAC related to tax reporting.

ARBITRATION

By entering the Contest, each Participant freely and knowingly agrees that exclusive jurisdiction for any dispute, claim or demand related in any way to the Contest will be decided by binding arbitration in accordance with the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association. The venue for any dispute between a Participant and the Sponsors of whatsoever kind or nature arising out of these Rules shall be at a location selected by the LSAC, in its sole discretion, but such location will be within the State of Pennsylvania.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

As a condition of entering into the Challenge, Participant(s) retain the ownership of and rights to the ideas contained in the entries that are submitted, but give LSAC the right to publicize the winning entries.

PRIVACY

Participants agree that personal data submitted with the Submission, including name, mailing address, phone number, and email address may be collected, processed, stored and otherwise used by the LSAC and its affiliates for the purposes of conducting and administering the Challenge. By entering the Challenge, Participants agree to the transmission, processing, disclosing and storage of this personal data by the LSAC and its affiliates. 

WARRANTY & DISCLAIMER

Participant warrants that their Submissions are their own original work and, as such, they are the sole and exclusive owner and rights holder of the submitted Submission and that they have the right to submit the Submission in the Challenge and grant all required licenses. Participant agrees not to submit any Submission that: (a) infringes any third-party proprietary rights, intellectual property rights, industrial property rights, personal or moral rights or any other rights, including without limitation, copyright, trademark, trade names, industrial designs, patent, trade secret, privacy, publicity or confidentiality obligations; or (b) otherwise violates applicable state, federal, or local law. 

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Participant agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the LSAC from and against any and all claims, actions, suits or proceedings, as well as any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonably attorneys’ fees) arising out of or accruing from; (i) any Submission or other material uploaded or otherwise provided by Participant that infringes any copyright, trademark, trade secret, trade dress, patent or other intellectual property right of any person or defames any person or violates their rights of publicity or privacy; (ii) breach of any warranty set forth herein; (iii) any misrepresentation made by Participant in connection with the Challenge; (iv) any non-compliance by Participant with these Rules; (v) claims brought by persons or entities other than the parties to these Rules arising from or related to Participant’s involvement with the Challenge; (vi) acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in any Challenge-related activity or participation in the Challenge; (vii) any malfunction or other problem with the Challenge Website in relation to the Submission and participation in the Challenge by Participant; (ix) any error in the collection, processing, or retention of Submission or voting information in relation to the Submission and participation in the Challenge by Participant and in the voting process; or (x) and, any typographical or other error in the printing, offering or announcement of any prize or winners in relation to the Submission and participation in the Challenge.

INTERNET & DISCLAIMER

The LSAC is not responsible for any malfunction of the entire Challenge Website or any late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, undeliverable, or destroyed Submission or votes due to system errors, failed, incomplete or garbled computer or other telecommunication transmission malfunctions, hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, typographical or system/human errors and failures, technical malfunction(s) of any telephone network or lines, cable connections, satellite transmissions, servers or providers, or computer equipment, traffic congestion on the Internet or at the Challenge Website, or any combination thereof, including other telecommunication, cable, digital or satellite malfunctions which may limit the ability to participate. The LSAC is not responsible for the policies, actions, or inactions of others, which might prevent anyone from entering, participating, and/or claiming a prize in this Challenge. The LSAC’s failure to enforce any term of these Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision. LSAC reserves the right to disqualify those who violate the rules or interfere with this Challenge in any manner. 

The recipients of prizes will be notified on stage after the final Stage of judging at that time, the name and address of each recipient will be confirmed in order to mail the prize that he or she has been awarded. A Participant who fails to provide such information will be deemed to have automatically forfeited his or her prize. All awards will be sent via Express Mail with address receipt request to ensure proper deliver. The Sponsors shall have no further responsibility of liability for the awarding of prizes to the selected recipients.

If for any reason the Challenge is not capable of running as planned, including but not limited to, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Challenge, The LSAC reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Challenge.

RIGHT TO CANCEL OR MODIFY

Except were such authority has been expressly designated by these Rules to another party (e.g., the judges), if, during the course of the Contest, a need arises for an interpretation of and/or other determination to be made pursuant to these Rules, then such interpretation and/or determination shall be made by Contest Management, whose decision shall be final and binding.

INTERPRETATION

A list of winners will appear on or before 12:00 p.m. CST on September 3, 2019, on the following website: www.atjtechfellows.org