The A2J Tech Team

Introducing the heart of A2J Tech: a compassionate and innovative team of attorneys, software developers, designers, project managers, and skilled professionals.
Joseph Schieffer
Founder & CEO
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Joseph is the founder and CEO of A2J Tech. Joseph can be found collaborating with advocates to develop user-centered solutions. As both a project manager and a programmer, Joseph is able to efficiently design and implement technology projects. Joseph has presented at the National Legal Aid & Defender Association Conference, the Legal Services Corporation Innovations in Technology Conference, the ABA/NLADA Equal Justice Conference, and the LGBTQ Legal Aid Summit. Joseph is a co-founder of Denver Legal Hackers.

Joseph has earned the Project Management Professional designation from the Project Management Institute and the Certified ScrumMaster designation from Scrum Alliance. He holds a MS in Business Administration with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida and a BS from the United States Air Force Academy. Joseph enjoys exploring Colorado's outdoors and coaching his kids' youth sports teams. Follow Joseph on Twitter @josephA2J

Laciey Eidson
Human-Centered Designer
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Laciey is a human-centered designer for A2J Tech. She performs the research and evaluation of how people use technology that informs our design decisions. She liaises with community partners for our internship and hiring programs.

As a single mother and survivor of domestic violence, she is passionate about helping low-income families get access to resources that they desperately need. Laciey utilizes her first-hand experience as a client of programs for low-income earners to design solutions to improve access to justice.

Mauricio Duarte
Justice Entrepreneur
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Mauricio Duarte is a lawyer from Guatemala with an LL.M. from the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) and serves as a Justice Entrepreneur with A2J Tech. Mauricio has a deep background in startups, venture capital, international arbitration, and alternate dispute mechanisms. Before joining A2J Tech, he focused primarily on using technology to solve disputes. His previous experience led him to become a Fellow in the Kleros Fellowship of Justice in Law & Society, a member of the Asian International Arbitration Centre Technology Expert Committee, a member of the Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center Young Professionals Steering Committee, and a new Executive Committee Member of Law Practice Management and Technology Section for the California Lawyers Association.In addition to A2J Tech, Mauricio helps advise technology startups and technology companies. Outside of his working life, Mauricio is a marathon runner and triathlete.

Lezlie Paulus
Project Manager
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Lezlie is a Project Manager for A2J Tech. Lezlie specializes in business process improvement, grant and project management, intake systems, and pro bono services. Serving as the Director of Business Administration for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services strengthened Lezlie’s commitment to access to justice and gave her firsthand experience with the resource challenges inherent in the legal aid system. Lezlie uses her over 20 years of process improvement experience to help organizations maximize the impact of the resources while preserving the client experience.


Lezlie holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Minnesota and a JD, cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law

Scout Batz
Designer
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Scout Batz is a designer for A2J Tech. She provides graphic design, web design, and video production for A2J Tech Store and its clients. Scout holds a Bachelor's of Architecture in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University.

Scout is an artist in several disciplines. She sings in her church choir and enjoys watercolor painting. See some of Scout's graphic design and video production work.

Laura Valenton Steinbach
Legal Innovator and Developer
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Laura is a Legal Innovator and Developer at A2J Tech. She is a lawyer turned developer, working with legal aid organizations and law firms to leverage technology in their practice. She specializes in document automation services, productizing legal services, and project management.

She holds a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University of Law. Laura enjoys volunteering with pro bono work, reading, running and playing videos games.

David Nonemaker
Senior Developer
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David is a developer for A2J Tech. He primarily works on complex document automation and other software development projects. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in English and Computer Information Systems.

His background involves policy and technology consulting in the non-profit education sector. SCUBA-Diving, photography, and traveling are among his favorite pastimes. Currently, he lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

Victoria Pan
Legal Innovator
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Victoria Pan is a Legal Innovator at A2J Tech. Her previous experiences working within the field of international human rights inspires her passion for increasing access to justice, one step at a time. At A2J Tech, she primarily focuses document automation and technology assessment services, as well as project management.She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Belmont University and a J.D./L.L.M. from the Cornell School of Law. In her spare time, Victoria enjoys over-complicated baking projects and video games.

Devan Kreitzer
Senior Developer and Data Analyst
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Devan is a senior developer and data analyst for A2J Tech. He develops custom software solutions to implement business process improvements or building platform to platform integrations. He also brings technical expertise to the processing, design, quality, and accuracy of data. Devan’s primary goal is to help people, businesses, and organizations use technology to improve access to justice.Devan graduated with a BA in Political Science with a minor in Communication from the University of South Florida. He is currently pursuing a MS in Business Analytics and Information Systems from his alma mater. He has experience in working in law firms ranging from large private firms to legal aid organizations assisting low-income individuals. Outside of work, Devan enjoys cooking/baking and playing games with friends.

Ritica Ramesh
UX / UI Designer
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Ritica Ramesh (she/her) is a UX / UI Designer at A2J Tech based in Toronto, Canada. Ritica is a criminal-justice researcher turned designer and has worked on on several campaigns for gender justice, migrant labor rights, and the prison-industrial complex. She is an advocate for transformative justice and is passionate about using design thinking to reduce barriers to technology in low-income and other marginalized communities. In her free time, you can find her reading, cooking, or exploring the outdoors on her bike.

Bailey Goldenbaum
UX/UI Designer
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Bailey is a UX/UI designer for A2J Tech. Their work focuses on the intersection of art, technology, and education, with a commitment to social-emotional learning and anti-oppressive practices. Prior to A2J Tech, Bailey worked in public education in Brooklyn, NY as an arts educator and deputy dean of special education. They championed media literacy for their students, forming collaborations with PBS Student Reporting Labs and WNET to create original journalistic content. Prior to teaching, Bailey was a video producer for trend forecasting company WGSN.

They hold an undergraduate degree from Moore College of Art & Design and a graduate degree from CUNY Brooklyn College.

Eli Hovey
Legal Innovator
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Eli Hovey is a Web Developer and Corporate Paralegal turned Legal Innovator, where he uses his background in Javascript and business contract drafting to help individuals with automated forms. He focuses primarily on document automation services to provide clients and the community at large with high-quality automated court forms that anyone can use. Eli received a B.A. in English at Brigham Young University, and is currently a 2L at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. In his spare time, Eli enjoys skiing, pickleball, EDM concerts, and video games.