A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa law student is gaining national recognition for using technology to expand access to justice. Benjamin Leider, a third-year student at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, has been named one of The National Jurist’s 2025 Law Students of the Year. The honor celebrates future legal leaders making a difference in their communities.
His standout achievement: developing a Chrome extension that helps people clear their criminal records. The tool automatically determines eligibility for expungement and fills out the required forms, saving time, cutting through red tape and offering hope to those who can’t afford legal help.
“Ben perfectly combined the technology and legal requirements to make the app work,” wrote The National Jurist in its April issue.
From coding class to courtroom impact
Leider began building the application after enrolling in Richardson’s “Coding for Lawyers” course. He later joined Innovator-in-Residence Matthew Stubenberg on a legal tech project aimed at improving the expungement process in Hawaiʻi. From designing legal logic trees to coding and testing the software,
Leider played a lead role in bringing the tool to life. The application had its soft launch at a free legal clinic in September 2024, helping 72 people start the expungement process on the spot. Its success caught the attention of the Hawaiʻi Office of the Public Defender, which asked for an added feature to assist with bench warrant recalls, a request Leider implemented earlier this year.
In the profile, Leider encouraged future lawyers to pursue purpose-driven careers. “Look at the job market and your skills; choose your path accordingly. If you want to make a difference in the world or in society, go with what moves you, and be determined,” he stated.
Leider is currently developing an AI-powered mock trial simulator that lets users upload case materials and participate in interactive trials—blending technology and experiential learning in a way that could transform legal education.
“We could not be happier for Ben,” said Law School Dean Camille Nelson. “His engagement has been as innovative as it has been transformative. He is an exemplary recipient of this national recognition.”
