What do ethics rules say about our technology?▼
ABA Model Rule 1.6(c) asks lawyers to make reasonable efforts to prevent unauthorized access to client information, and Comment 8 to Rule 1.1 ties competence to understanding relevant technology. Most states have adopted versions of both. The rules don't name products, so the practical question is whether your safeguards are reasonable for the sensitivity of your files. We put in the controls that answer that question: MFA, encryption, scoped access and backups. Questions about what your state's rules require belong with your general counsel or ethics counsel.
Does LSC funding change our IT obligations?▼
LSC grantees operate under LSC's regulations in 45 CFR Part 1600 and following parts, plus grant assurances, and they report case statistics and timekeeping that LSC and its Inspector General can review. Those rules focus heavily on eligibility, case reporting and cost documentation, so the records behind them must be accurate and retrievable. We make sure the case system, timekeeping and financial data are backed up, access-controlled and organized. Your compliance staff and LSC guidance define what has to be recorded.
How do we give pro bono attorneys access without opening everything?▼
Treat them as guests with a single key. Depending on your case platform, we set up limited volunteer roles or external sharing tied to the specific matter, with MFA required and an expiration date. They can read and upload documents for that case and nothing else. Activity is logged, so you can see what was opened. When the matter closes, access ends automatically, and the volunteer's firm email never becomes a backdoor into your system.
What if a client's abuser controls their phone or email?▼
It happens, and it's why intake should always ask how it's safe to contact someone. We help you build that into the case record so every advocate sees it. For documents, a portal with its own login is safer than email to a shared account. Text reminders can be worded so they don't reveal the case. Staff should never assume an email reply came from the client. The legal and safety judgment stays with your advocates; we give them tools that respect it.
Our attorneys file in courts that use different e-filing systems. Can you help?▼
We support the computers, browsers, certificates, scanners and PDF tools those portals depend on, and we keep a short guide for each one your staff use. Many issues come down to file size limits, PDF settings or an expired account, which we can sort out quickly. We also protect the e-filing account logins with a password manager and MFA where the court supports it, so a departing staff member doesn't leave with the only login for a busy docket.
We have attorneys working from home and from courthouses. What protects files outside the office?▼
Start with the device. Every staff laptop is encrypted, managed, updated automatically and set to require MFA for Microsoft 365 and the case system. We block saving client files to personal cloud accounts or USB drives. Courthouse and clinic laptops sign out after short idle periods and connect back through a VPN or zero trust tool. Home routers aren't in our control, so we focus on making sure the laptop itself stays protected wherever it connects.
Do you provide Legal Aid Organizations IT Services in Houston and nearby areas?▼
Yes. LayerLogix is based in the Greater Houston area and delivers legal aid organizations IT services to businesses across Houston and the surrounding communities, including The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, Sugar Land, Conroe, Cypress, and Pearland. For most Houston-area clients we can be on-site the same day when something needs hands-on attention, and our help desk is available during business hours, with after-hours emergency support. Call 713-571-2390 to check coverage for your specific address.
What does Legal Aid Organizations IT Services cost for a Houston business?▼
Pricing depends on your size and what you need, so we do not publish a one-size-fits-all number — but Houston businesses generally pay a flat, predictable monthly fee rather than surprise hourly bills. We start with a free, no-obligation assessment of your current setup, then give you a clear quote in plain English with no hidden costs. That way you know exactly what you are getting and what it costs before you commit.