Fastcase has just released their sixth annual Fastcase 50
list “which honors the law’s smartest most courageous innovators techies
visionaries and leaders.” I must be doing something right I know or have met
many of the innovators on this list. I am always excited to see colleagues and friends get this recognition, but it is also fascinating to discover who is behind companies, organizations and ideas which are changing the legal landscape. Congratulations to all of members of the “Class of 2016.”  Thanks to Ed Walters and Phil Rosenthal, Fastcase co-founders, for inventing this vehicle for keeping us all inspired!
 The list is definitely worth a read – – learn about innovators
and wonder –maybe your idea is worth pursuing. Who was the project manager behind the implementation of
Congress.gov legislative database? Did you know that an attorney wrote  the “Solicitor General’s
Style Guide”  which is better than “the blue
book.” There is an  octogenarian Scotusblog reporter  who literally “wrote the book” on reporting and
the law. If you are wondering “what is Codex” and “who is this Ross guy ?” Read on…
The information professionals
Janet Accardo, retired Library director at Skadden Arps
Slate Meagher and Flom LLP…  A long time
friend and colleague.

Robert Oaks retired chief library and records officer,
Latham and Watkins. A legend in DC.

Catherine Bowie, state law librarian and, or gone judicial
department- in partnership with fast case and Hein online launch the first
statewide access to case law and law reviews for all citizens of Oregon.

The Geeks
Andrew Arruda the CEO and co-founder of Ross intelligence.–
I will be introducing Andrew at an AALL  conference panel next week entitled quote “can
robots be lawyers? “

Jamison Dempsey cofounder of DC’s legal hackers and
associate at Kelly, Drye and Warren LLP. I am pleased to say that I am a member
of the DC hackers– well actually I’ve been on their mailing list and I have
been to some really interesting programs they opposed. Amazing to see young
kids right at a law school inventing self-help technology solutions.

Zev Eigen, global director of data analytics, Littler Mendelson.
I have heard Zev speak– smart and
incredibly funny.

Michael Genesereth and Roland Vogl  Stanford Professor and  Executive Director at Stanford Codex –Ground Zero for so much legal innovation.

Tammy Nelson, senior project manager Library of Congress.
Led the 40 person team which created the new Congress.gov website which replaces
THOMAS.

Kevin O’Keefe CEO and founder, Lexblog. Kevin has made a career of c.halllanging lawyers everywhere to sit down and blog… Uh-oh  I owe Kevin an email, better get on it.

Michael Sander, CEO Docket Alarm. I met Michael when he had
a booth in the Codex  Aisle at the 2015 Legal
Tech meeting in New York. Pretty nifty product was included in my post about
the Codex Aisle.

The Writers

Lyle Denniston, supreme court reporter and blogger who
literally wrote the book on reporting and the law.

Jack Metzler attorney, Federal Trade Commission. Anyone who
can write a style guide which overshadows the blue book is okay with me. Metzler
authored the solicitor General’s Style Guide and the Supreme Court Style Guide.

Michelle Olsen, Creator @AppellateDaily…play by play court side commentary at the Supreme Court.