Black History Month is not merely a time for reflection; it is a call to action. It reminds us that our actions in the present are what actively shape the future. Traditionally, those celebrated for shaping history have been in positions of historical privilege —a reality that continues to hold true within the realms of technology and law.
In an era where the intersection of law and technology is both inevitable and essential for justice equity, JTA proudly recognizes the Black members of our advisory and organizational boards.
Sonja Ebron
Sonja Ebron is one of the founding members of JTA, an incredibly accomplished CEO, a college professor with a PhD in electrical engineering, and an advisor to numerous nonprofit organizations, including IAALS (Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System) and Legal Aid of NC’s Innovation Lab.
As CEO of Courtroom5, Sonja has made it her mission to empower individuals to represent themselves effectively in legal matters. Courtroom5 provides clients with access to legal data, document templates, case law insights, and analyses of proposed claims and defenses. Since its founding, Courtroom5 has helped thousands navigate legal challenges.
In recognition of her groundbreaking work, Sonja and co-founder Debra Slone were named “Legal Rebels” by the American Bar Association in 2023.
In 2024, Sonja was honored as part of the Women of Legal Tech initiative by the American Bar Association’s Legal Technology Resource Center, an award that celebrates her significant contributions to legal tech and her dedication to improving access to justice. She currently serves on the Leaders Council of the Legal Services Corporation, the nation’s primary funding source for legal aid programs.
Miguel Willis
Justice tech leaders like Miguel Willis are using their platform to address disparities head-on. Miguel Willis is the Executive Director of Access to Justice Tech Fellows (A2J Tech Fellows), a national nonprofit that creates summer fellowships for law students focused on using technology to improve legal access for low-income and marginalized communities.
Willis previously worked with the City of Seattle’s Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs, where he helped launch a web portal to assist immigrants in navigating legal pathways to citizenship, as well as with the Alaska Court System, where he developed its Justice for All Project. His efforts have earned him recognition by the American Bar Association as a 2018 Legal Rebel and a 2019 Fastcase 50 honoree.
Today, Willis continues to lead the charge for systemic change, sitting on boards that influence the future of justice tech, including the Legal Services Corporation’s Emerging Leaders Council and the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law’s Innovation for Justice (i4J) program. He currently teaches a course in Law, Technology, and Access to Justice, and serves as an Innovator in Residence at Penn Carey Law.
Nicole Morris
Nicole Morris’ work directly impacts the next generation of justice tech leaders. As a professor at Emory University School of Law and director of the TI:GER program, Morris guides law students in collaboration with tech innovators to transform promising research into commercially viable products. Her work is a powerful example of how legal education can evolve to incorporate technological solutions to the justice system’s most pressing issues. In collaboration with the Department of Energy’s National Labs, her students analyze the commercial potential of new technologies, turning them into tangible resources that have the power to revolutionize the legal field. Through her published work, Morris is also actively shaping the conversation around ethical technology governance within the legal space.
Marcus Glover
Marcus Glover is committed to reimagining equity for Black America, investing in and advising Black and women-led companies that are often overlooked, underfunded, and underserved. As co-founder and Managing Director of Lockstep Ventures, a VC firm that seeks to address issues that perpetuate racial inequality, he has turned his passion into meaningful progress.
Marcus also serves on the national board of directors of Defy Ventures, which advocates for criminal justice reform and lowering recidivism by building on incarcerated men and women’s natural talents through entrepreneurship and business ownership. He is a proud member of the Time@100 Advisory Board.
Nyra Jordan
Nyra Jordan is the Associate Vice President of Community & Social Impact at American Family Insurance, where she leads strategic partnerships with enterprises dedicated to creating resilient communities in response to environmental and social inequities. In this role, Nyra champions the work of experts, community partners, and founders who are pioneering people-centered solutions for individuals affected by the justice system.
Nyra has delivered impactful TED Talks on “Fair Chance Hiring” and continues to champion equal opportunities for all job seekers. With degrees in Mass Communication, Criminal Justice Administration, and Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership, Nyra’s academic and professional accomplishments are a testament to her commitment to social good.
In Closing
From navigating the complexities of the legal system to combating systemic racial biases, these JTA advisors are harnessing the power of technology for systemic change and actively building a more equitable tomorrow. We are proud that they have chosen to support the JTA mission.