The LIT group is a student-led initiative in collaboration with the Future of Law Lab and Centre for Innovation Law and Policy. We explore the intersection of law, innovation, and technology in our ever-expanding digital world.
The LIT group consists of students and staff committed to furthering the study of law and technology. We aim to introduce students to these topics in fun and engaging ways, while also expanding their network. From introductory coding sessions (no background required!) to technology law journals and blogs, the LIT group provides students with a unique opportunity to develop their skills and expertise in legal technology. While many of our activities are aimed towards law students, the LIT group welcomes individuals from any faculty to take part in our programming.
For the 2022-2023 academic year, the LIT group will be running the following activities and events: “Lunch n’ code” sessions, a fun opportunity for everyone to learn the basics of coding and its impact on the legal practice; “Debates with the profs” where students and professors think through and debate hot topics in technology law such as breaking up big tech, recognizing AI inventorship and authorship, law enforcement’s use of biometrics, and more; A year-end competitive event where students take the lead in solving a legal problem through innovation; And more!
The LIT Group also aims to launch a new Journal on Emerging Technologies and the Law (JELT). This journal will be one of the first of its kind in Canada, encouraging scholarship in this growing field. The journal will host podcasts and video interviews and also its official blog, Spark.
The Legal Innovation Technology (LIT) group was born from two U of T Law students who recognized a gap in the Faculty’s programming on how the law influences technology, and vice versa.
Rana Ghafouri-Azar - Co-President
Rana is a co-President for the 2023-2024 year. She is in her second year of the JD program and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology & Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour from McMaster University, and a Master of Science in Neuroscience from McGill University. Rana’s educational and work experiences brought her to the intersection of technology, health, and the law, which motivated her to pursue a law degree. In addition to LIT, she has participated in a working group aimed at advancing research on reproductive rights in Canada and is a Clinic Manager at Artist’s Legal Advice Services. As a LIT co-President, Rana is excited to promote interdisciplinary collaboration between technological innovation and the law.
Isabella Papalia - Co-President
Isabella is a second-year JD student at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, and one of the co-presidents of LIT for the 2023-2024 year! She attended McMaster University where she studied Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, and minored in Biology. During her time at McMaster, she was exposed to various areas of science that intersected with Intellectual Property law and health law that intrigued her and inspired her to pursue a JD. As one of the Co-Presidents of LIT, she endeavors to expand LIT’s events and outreach, and to provide opportunities for student to explore the legal innovation that is happening at this exciting time in history, and consequently, the growing areas of innovative law.