1. A2J Author at Illinois Legal Aid Online
Chris Alfano, Automated Document Producer

2. BY THE NUMBERS…
ILAO offers 74 automated documents for pro se users and legal aid advocates
52 of those documents are A2J interviews
Over 19,000 A2J interviews run during January 1 – June 30, 2016
Over 8,500 documents assembled by A2J interviews during that time period
Interviews Run (A2J and HotDocs)
January 1 – June 30, 2016
Documents Assembled (A2J and HotDocs) January 1 – June 30, 2016
39,297
19,555

3. WHEN TO use a2j author Some factors which favor using A2J Author:
When starting a new automated document project, you must choose whether to use HotDocs or A2J Author for the interview component.
Some factors which favor using A2J Author:
The interview is for pro se users
The interview will take less than 30 minutes to complete
The interview will help explain a legal process

4. Sample HotDocs interview
Divorce without children

5. Sample a2j interview Name change for an adult

6. HOW a2j author BENEFITS PRO SE USERS
A2J Author can make the interview easier for pro se users by:
Breaking question blocks into more manageable portions
Providing “Learn More” and “Pop-Up” screens
Offering an intuitive and easy user interface
Explain a legal process while users fill out their forms:
The early questions can be used to explain the legal remedy
Tell the user what information needed to complete the interview
The final questions can outline the next steps and how to file

7. CHOOSING WHICH FORMS TO AUTOMATE
The best A2J interviews:
Offer legal remedies that pro se users can achieve on their own
Can be used anywhere within a state/province
Involve areas of law that are underserved by attorneys
Most popular automated forms (interviews launched/assemblies):
Divorce (10162/4323)
Order of Protection (5127/4145)
Parenting Plan (2367/964)

8. Development process Scope Document Work with Developer Testing Publish
Explains the goal of the project, scenarios covered, etc.
Contains an interview outline and/or specific question text
Work with Developer
Communicate with developer throughout process
Use web conferencing to demo features
Testing
Test locally and on the HotDocs/A2J server
Get help from interns, other staff members, etc.
Publish
Communicate with partner organizations
Check periodically for updates to the law
Continual improvement based on user feedback

9. a2j interview structure
Introduction
(legal advice disclaimer, info needed, name and gender, etc.)
Qualifications
(better to exclude users who do not qualify as early as possible)
Case Information
(this step collects the substantive information filled in on the form)
Notice Information
(method of service, whether the other party is represented by an attorney, etc.)
Conclusion
(how to save and print, what to do next, etc.)

10. Thank you!
Contact Info:
Chris Alfano
(312) ext. 27