The Access Statesman: Jim Sandman

In this powerful episode, I interview Jim Sandman—President Emeritus of Legal Services Corporation and current Penn Law faculty member—about his extraordinary journey from 30 years in big law to becoming one of the most influential voices in access to justice.Jim shares the formative experiences that shaped his path, from his parents' emphasis on service to early pro bono work defending Vista volunteers, to an unexpected role as general counsel of D.C. Public Schools that would prepare him for leading the nation's largest civil legal aid funder.Most importantly, Jim reveals why he believes artificial intelligence represents the greatest opportunity he's seen to expand access to justice—not just by making legal aid organizations more efficient, but ultimately by putting the law directly in people's hands in clear, comprehensible terms.This episode offers invaluable insights on leadership, finding your calling later in career, achieving work-life balance, and the multi-pronged approach needed to truly democratize legal services. Whether you're interested in legal technology, access to justice, or simply how to build a meaningful career in law, Jim's story will inspire and inform.Learn more about the future of legal innovation at www.lawdroidmanifesto.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lawdroidmanifesto.com/subscribe