Day 30: IT anyone?

Over lunch, I sat in on a Public Interest Law Group seminar by Gráinne O'Neill, who is an attorney and software developer (odd, but true). She talked about the database app she constructed for Orleans Public Defenders' Office several years ago to keep track of the case assignments and such. She has since moved on to work with the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute at Harvard and develop Gideon, a data repository and "toolbox for defenders" which currently houses statewide motions and info on cases of all types but is intended to go national. Through her talk, I learned that many state entities and states are opposed to information sharing out of fear (really). Listening to her, I see a way to happily wed policy, healthcare reform, and immigration, with intellectual property (how cool is that?). She suggested I reach out to the current manager of Gideon to get involved; and I think I just will. Gráinne is currently defending Hacktivists and has this day become one of my new favorite people. =)