Legal-Tech Virtual Lab

The Legal-Tech Virtual Lab (LTVL) exposes law students to technology and innovation that impacts the practice of law and teaches law students basic technology competence. The Lab offers opportunities for students to gain experience using technology that they will encounter in the practice of law, including artificial intelligence-assisted legal contract software and research databases, eDiscovery platforms, legal technology assessment tools, and client management systems. 

The LTVL has two primary objectives:

• To expose law students to technology and innovation that impacts the practice of law; and
• To teach law students basic technology competence. 

LTVL and Technology Competence 

As of 2022, 40 states require that lawyers maintain technology competence in their Rules of Professional Conduct. The LTVL provides all Penn State Law students with access to the Procertas Legal Technology Assessment (LTA). The LTA assesses tech competence on Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, PDF, and Bluebook. Students can complete the LTA at any time while they attend Penn State Law. Each spring, the LTVL sponsors an LTA challenge in which students can complete LTA modules for a chance to win a gift card. 

The LTVL has sponsored events including: 

A Legal-Tech Virtual Vendor Fair, with vendors like Microsoft and Relativity;
Legal tech vendor partnerships to bring legal technology products for law student exposure and use;
Penn State Law and greater Penn State community technology events; and
Collaborations with other Penn State colleges and academic units to encourage collaboration between law students and other Penn State students. 

For more information, contact Theresa Tarves, Director, Legal Tech Virtual Lab and Associate Director, Montague Law Library.