As Relativity gears up for its annual RelativityFest, often described as the Coachella of e-discovery professionals, the company is also celebrating a major milestone — the fifth anniversary of its groundbreaking Justice for Change initiative.
Launched to bridge the gap between legal technology and social justice, Relativity Justice for Change provides the same powerful e-discovery and AI tools used by Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits and public interest organizations. The goal is simple but transformative: empower advocates fighting for fairness, freedom, and equality with technology that helps them uncover the truth faster.
From wrongful conviction cases to health care access for children, the initiative has become a lifeline for organizations working on the front lines of justice.
From Corporate Tech to Community Empowerment
In an age when many corporate “social justice” projects fade quickly, Relativity has done the opposite — doubling down on its commitment. While several firms scaled back their pro bono engagement in politically sensitive areas, Relativity expanded globally, supporting initiatives in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the EMEA region.
Over just five years, the Justice for Change program has supported over 250 legal matters, partnered with 90+ organizations, and processed more than 16 million documents related to civil rights, criminal justice, and disability advocacy.
Barry Scheck, Co-Founder and Special Counsel at the Innocence Project, praised the initiative, saying:
“Relativity tools and training saved us precious time — time that ultimately amounted to fewer days in prison and more time as a free man for our innocent client.”
This testimonial captures what makes Relativity Justice for Change different: its technology directly changes lives.
Seeing Patterns Humans Can’t: AI in the Service of Justice
While e-discovery tools were once reserved for corporate litigation, nonprofits are now using Relativity’s AI capabilities to identify systemic injustices.
For example, the Georgia Innocence Project leveraged Relativity’s data analytics to comb through thousands of cases — revealing troubling patterns of misconduct among law enforcement and prosecutors. What might have taken human reviewers years to detect was uncovered in weeks.
These insights don’t just help individual clients — they expose broader systemic failures, turning isolated cases into evidence-backed reform efforts.
Saving Time, Money, and Lives Through Digital Transformation
Beyond document review, the Justice for Change program has also helped public interest law organizations modernize their workflows.
Partnering with Page One, an e-discovery and litigation support firm, Relativity has enabled nonprofits to transition from outdated paper systems to fully digital infrastructures. One participant reported saving $50,000 annually in off-site storage costs — funds now redirected to direct client services rather than warehouse fees.
This digital shift is critical for small legal aid organizations, many of which still rely on paper archives that slow down urgent work.
Global Voices Behind the Mission
Johnathan Hill, Global Program Manager for Social Impact at Relativity, emphasized that the mission is far from over:
“The past five years have laid a strong foundation for what’s possible when technology and purpose align. But substantial change requires continued action. Justice for Change has shown that with the right team, vision, and adaptability, commercial-grade tools can power the public good.”
CEO Phil Saunders echoed this sentiment, underscoring that AI and advanced legal technology should serve humanity, not just corporations:
“Relativity saw early that AI could and should be used for good.”
Real Results: From Exonerations to Equal Rights
The proof is in the results. Since its inception, Relativity Justice for Change has contributed to:
- Wrongful conviction exonerations
- Successful disability rights litigation
- Civil rights victories across multiple jurisdictions
- Expanded global partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups
These outcomes demonstrate how technology originally designed for billion-dollar corporate litigation can also dismantle systemic barriers and deliver justice for underserved populations.
Why Biglaw Should Take Notes
While Biglaw firms continue to retreat from controversial pro bono cases, Relativity is setting the standard for how the private sector can uphold access to justice.
Many law firms publicly claim to value diversity and inclusion but avoid taking on high-profile, politically charged matters. Relativity, by contrast, has chosen courage over convenience — investing millions in technology, training, and infrastructure for those fighting for equity.
The contrast couldn’t be clearer: where Biglaw hesitates, Relativity innovates.
The Future of Justice Is Digital
The next phase of Justice for Change will likely see expanded partnerships, enhanced AI tools for pattern recognition, and greater integration with law schools and public defender offices.
As the legal world continues its digital transformation, Relativity’s example proves that technology can be both profitable and purposeful — that the same innovations used in boardrooms can also free the innocent, empower the poor, and hold systems accountable.
In the words of co-founder Andy Seavers, “Without the client, there is no case.” The same logic applies here — without justice, there is no reason for technology.
✅ Key Takeaway:
After five years, Relativity Justice for Change stands as one of the most meaningful corporate legal tech initiatives in the world — using AI and digital transformation to bring real justice to those who need it most.
