NAWJ Webinar: Creating a Court Immersion Experience

September 29, 2026
3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM MT / 12:00 PM PT / 11:00 AM AKT

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Creating a Court Immersion Experience

The District of Columbia Courts with support from the State Justice Institute, and the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center have partnered with YOUTOPIAN to develop a groundbreaking 360-degree interactive experience that brings the DC Courts to life. By combining intuitive virtual navigation with clear, accessible explanations, the platform transforms how residents, students, educators, lawyers, and self-represented litigants learn about appellate process.

Rather than confronting a maze of legal jargon or unfamiliar procedures, users step into a virtual court environment where each phase of the appeal is broken down into digestible, real-world scenarios. The experience guides participants through the Superior Court and the Court of Appeals, allowing users to “walk” the halls of each court building. The Court of Appeals project, just released this past spring, illustrates how cases travel from notice of appeal to briefing, oral argument, and final decision. The Pro Bono Center's project, which launched in 2024, allows users to interact with avatars created from actual judges and staff and hear their personal stories, offering a unique glimpse of the people behind the bench and courthouse.  Interactive modules highlight the judges and staff who support this process—individuals whose work, though critical, traditionally occurs out of public view.

By visualizing the court, demystifying the workflow, providing valuable information about court resources, and offering a transparent look at how decisions are made, both projects lower barriers to civic engagement. It empowers community members to see themselves as part of the justice system, not outsiders standing at a distance. For educators, it serves as a dynamic teaching tool; for litigants, a confidence building guide; and for the public, a window into how trial and appellate justice shapes everyday life in the District of Columbia.

This webinar will explore the vision behind the Court Immersion Experience, its development, and its impact—highlighting how innovative technology can strengthen trust, understanding, and accessibility within the judicial system.

Speakers:

Hon. Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, Chief Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Laura Moorer, Law Librarian, District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Kelli Neptune, Executive Director, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center

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