Mission and Vision
Mission
JusticeAccess is a law library that bridges critical gaps in legal information. We help underserved communities address problems by providing information that relates to law. Our goal is to offer low-barrier access to legal information.
Vision
People without legal training in the District of Columbia, in particular low-income individuals, will have improved outcomes in problems involving or adjacent to the legal system as a result of low barrier, supported access to legal information. The services provided by JusticeAccess will improve the ability of self-represented litigants to achieve success despite the inherent bias towards represented parties in the American legal system.
Board of Directors
Jason Eliaser, Chair
Jason Eliaser is a mediator and training program manager for the federal government. Prior to his federal service, Jason operated his own law firm focusing on civil rights, wrongful foreclosure, housing, and consumer finance abuse litigation. Jason has also provided extensive advice and counsel for nonprofit organizations on formation, regulatory compliance, risk and liability avoidance, contract negotiation, transactions, and intellectual property concerns. Jason served for three years on the board of a literary arts nonprofit, volunteered for two years at a legal clinic providing assistance to people experiencing homelessness, and is currently an active volunteer for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington. Jason lives in Alexandria with his significant other, Monica, and their cat, The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginspurr.
Kori Williams, Secretary
Kori Williams is a graduate student and graduate assistant at Kutztown University, where she is studying to obtain her Master’s in Public Administration. In addition, she is also the graduate research assistant for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at PASSHE’s Office of the Chancellor. When not in school, Kori produces Roofs for All, a Philadelphia-based podcast centered around the deeply affordable housing landscape in the city. She also does volunteer work for advocacy organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Innocence Project.
Previously, Kori spent over a decade working in the restaurant industry. She currently holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and German Language and Communication from Kutztown University. She lives in Philadelphia, PA with her son.
Michelle Gallinger, Treasurer
Michelle Gallinger is the principal of Gallinger Consulting where she provides technological insight into decision-making processes for libraries, museums, archives, and businesses. She gives strategic planning guidance; develops policies, guidelines, and action plans for her clients; offers stakeholder facilitation services; and coordinates collaborative technological initiatives. Gallinger’s clients include Harvard Library, Institute of Museums and Library Services, Metropolitan New York Library Council, Ithaka S+R, and the Council of State Archivists (CoSA). Prior to consulting, Gallinger worked at the Library of Congress developing the initial strategy for and led the creation, definition, and launch of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance in 2010. Gallinger performed policy development, strategic planning, program planning, and research and analysis at the Library of Congress. She has also designed and managed digitization services, overseen the formation of and policy development for the Colonial Williamsburg Rockefeller Library’s Digital Library, and worked for Gartner Dataquest. Gallinger graduated with a BA from Reed College and an MA from The University of Virginia. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, three children, two fish, and a dog.
Masai McDougall
Runako Kumbula Allsop
Chris Kohler
Christine (Chris) Kohler has been a dedicated legal research professional since 2000. She began her legal research journey working with global law firms as an account manager at LexisNexis and later for Thomson Reuters. Currently, she is a Research and Knowledge Services Analyst at Eversheds Sutherland, a large global law firm.
Throughout her early career, Chris worked for grassroots not-for-profits, serving in various capacities such as Global Campaign Coordinator and Managing Director. Her commitment to these roles highlights her dedication to making a positive impact in the community.
Chris earned a BA from the University of Maryland in Graphic Communications with a Minor in Business Administration.
Shavonne Hedgpeth
Financial Reports
JusticeAccess by-laws, approved November 22, 2021