Sonja Ebron
@sonja.courtroom5.com
Democracy fangirl. Pro se litigant. @Courtroom5.com CEO. Durhamite. She/her.
https://courtroom5.com/about/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonjaebron
https://courtroom5.com/about/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonjaebron
I’m CEO of a justice tech company that tells people never to use ChatGPT for legal advice.
So naturally, I almost lost my NC driver’s license because… I used ChatGPT for legal advice.
DMV said I’d be suspended for a Virginia speeding ticket. ChatGPT confidently told me the DMV was “clearly wrong.”
So naturally, I almost lost my NC driver’s license because… I used ChatGPT for legal advice.
DMV said I’d be suspended for a Virginia speeding ticket. ChatGPT confidently told me the DMV was “clearly wrong.”
December 3, 2025 at 8:03 AM
I’m CEO of a justice tech company that tells people never to use ChatGPT for legal advice.
So naturally, I almost lost my NC driver’s license because… I used ChatGPT for legal advice.
DMV said I’d be suspended for a Virginia speeding ticket. ChatGPT confidently told me the DMV was “clearly wrong.”
So naturally, I almost lost my NC driver’s license because… I used ChatGPT for legal advice.
DMV said I’d be suspended for a Virginia speeding ticket. ChatGPT confidently told me the DMV was “clearly wrong.”
The courtroom is where democracy proves itself.
December 1, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The courtroom is where democracy proves itself.
Justice fails when it’s only for those who can afford it.
November 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Justice fails when it’s only for those who can afford it.
Knowing how to navigate a lawsuit is as civic as knowing how to vote.
November 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Knowing how to navigate a lawsuit is as civic as knowing how to vote.
AI can’t deliver justice.
Only people can.
Only people can.
November 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
AI can’t deliver justice.
Only people can.
Only people can.
Courts are the public works of democracy — like roads, schools, or libraries.
November 3, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Courts are the public works of democracy — like roads, schools, or libraries.
The law isn’t a private club.
It’s public property — built, funded, and lived by the people.
It’s public property — built, funded, and lived by the people.
October 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The law isn’t a private club.
It’s public property — built, funded, and lived by the people.
It’s public property — built, funded, and lived by the people.
Every motion a pro se litigant files is a statement of faith: “I still believe the law can work for me.”
October 20, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Every motion a pro se litigant files is a statement of faith: “I still believe the law can work for me.”
Access to justice can’t be stronger than the rule of law. When the law fails, “access” is an illusion.
October 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Access to justice can’t be stronger than the rule of law. When the law fails, “access” is an illusion.
Reposted by Sonja Ebron
aaand we are officially in the hide-your-neighbors stage
During a military-style raid on a building in Chicago’s South Shore, one resident heard a knock on his door.
It wasn’t the feds — it was a mom and her 7-year-old daughter, pleading for help.
He let them hide in his unit for the next 3 days.
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
He let them hide in his unit for the next 3 days.
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Neighbor shielded 7-year-old during South Shore federal raid: ‘I didn’t want them to take her’
During the Sept. 30 raid one tenant protected a terrified girl and her mom. Remnants at the complex, including a detailed map of all the units, offer clues to what authorities may have known before th...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 10:31 PM
aaand we are officially in the hide-your-neighbors stage
We can’t have access to justice without the rule of law. In a state of lawlessness, “access” means nothing. Our struggle isn’t to navigate a broken system — it’s to defend democracy and restore the rule of law.
October 4, 2025 at 8:23 PM
We can’t have access to justice without the rule of law. In a state of lawlessness, “access” means nothing. Our struggle isn’t to navigate a broken system — it’s to defend democracy and restore the rule of law.
Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them.
— Assata Shakur
#RestInPower
— Assata Shakur
#RestInPower
September 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them.
— Assata Shakur
#RestInPower
— Assata Shakur
#RestInPower
Proud to welcome @aydemir.bsky.social to Courtroom5 as CTO!
Brilliant mind, mission-driven heart. He’s building tools to put power in the hands of people going to court without a lawyer.
Game on. 🔥
#legaltech #access2justice #Courtroom5
courtroom5.com/news/courtro...
Brilliant mind, mission-driven heart. He’s building tools to put power in the hands of people going to court without a lawyer.
Game on. 🔥
#legaltech #access2justice #Courtroom5
courtroom5.com/news/courtro...
Courtroom5 Names Arman Aydemir CTO to Lead AI Justice Tech
Courtroom5 appoints AI researcher and legal tech founder Arman Aydemir as Chief Technology Officer to drive its AI-native litigation platform for self-represented litigants.
courtroom5.com
September 2, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Proud to welcome @aydemir.bsky.social to Courtroom5 as CTO!
Brilliant mind, mission-driven heart. He’s building tools to put power in the hands of people going to court without a lawyer.
Game on. 🔥
#legaltech #access2justice #Courtroom5
courtroom5.com/news/courtro...
Brilliant mind, mission-driven heart. He’s building tools to put power in the hands of people going to court without a lawyer.
Game on. 🔥
#legaltech #access2justice #Courtroom5
courtroom5.com/news/courtro...
In 125 years, what was old is new again.
On this day in 1900, North Carolina approved a literacy test voting requirement that was used to disenfranchise most Black people in the state.
Aug. 2, 1900 | North Carolina Votes to Disenfranchise Black Residents
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
calendar.eji.org
August 2, 2025 at 8:18 PM
In 125 years, what was old is new again.
I’m proud to live in a sanctuary city. I wish we could figure out how to stop ICE from arresting innocent people who’ve been called to appear at a local courthouse, especially since there are no judicial warrants for these arrests.
ncnewsline.com/2025/07/23/d...
ncnewsline.com/2025/07/23/d...
Durham leaders, immigrant advocates condemn ICE presence at courthouse • NC Newsline
Durham officials and advocates for immigrants condemned the presence of four ICE agents at the Durham County Courthouse.
ncnewsline.com
July 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I’m proud to live in a sanctuary city. I wish we could figure out how to stop ICE from arresting innocent people who’ve been called to appear at a local courthouse, especially since there are no judicial warrants for these arrests.
ncnewsline.com/2025/07/23/d...
ncnewsline.com/2025/07/23/d...
No real court would allow lawyers to file legal documents anonymously. But immigration “courts” are a sham. They’re actually part of the executive branch and thus subject to presidential decree. Their warrants are no such thing. They can’t provide due process. Their decrees should be ignored.
“We’re not really doing names publicly,” said Judge ShaSha Xu — after stating her own name and those of the immigrants and their lawyers.
ICE Lawyers Are Hiding Their Names in Immigration Court
ICE attorneys fighting to deport immigrants are able to obscure their identities — no masks required.
interc.pt
July 22, 2025 at 1:29 AM
No real court would allow lawyers to file legal documents anonymously. But immigration “courts” are a sham. They’re actually part of the executive branch and thus subject to presidential decree. Their warrants are no such thing. They can’t provide due process. Their decrees should be ignored.
📢 Do you deserve an award for legal innovation? 🏆 Nominations are now OPEN for the American Legal Technology Awards!
Submit nomination: americanlegaltechnology.com#submit-nomin...
Deadline: July 31, 2025! Self-nominations okay. 👍
#LegalTech #Innovation #ALTA2025 #Lawyers
Submit nomination: americanlegaltechnology.com#submit-nomin...
Deadline: July 31, 2025! Self-nominations okay. 👍
#LegalTech #Innovation #ALTA2025 #Lawyers
July 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
📢 Do you deserve an award for legal innovation? 🏆 Nominations are now OPEN for the American Legal Technology Awards!
Submit nomination: americanlegaltechnology.com#submit-nomin...
Deadline: July 31, 2025! Self-nominations okay. 👍
#LegalTech #Innovation #ALTA2025 #Lawyers
Submit nomination: americanlegaltechnology.com#submit-nomin...
Deadline: July 31, 2025! Self-nominations okay. 👍
#LegalTech #Innovation #ALTA2025 #Lawyers
Job #1 for all of us in legal is to find a way to make the law meaningful again.
Depressing time to be a law professor whose entire job hinges on law existing and being meaningful in some way
June 22, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Job #1 for all of us in legal is to find a way to make the law meaningful again.
Everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of income. But now justice is in jeopardy. The White House has proposed defunding the @LegalServicesCorp.bsky.social (LSC) completely.
Donate now to help keep justice within reach!
lsc.networkforgood.com #LSCMatters
Donate now to help keep justice within reach!
lsc.networkforgood.com #LSCMatters
June 16, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of income. But now justice is in jeopardy. The White House has proposed defunding the @LegalServicesCorp.bsky.social (LSC) completely.
Donate now to help keep justice within reach!
lsc.networkforgood.com #LSCMatters
Donate now to help keep justice within reach!
lsc.networkforgood.com #LSCMatters
If you think there’s a crisis in the rule of law now, wait until we lose legal aid. Don’t let it happen. #LSCmatters
In a powerful op-ed, Sonja Ebron — CEO of @courtroom5.com & a member of LSC’s Leaders Council — explains how eliminating the Legal Services Corporation would devastate communities, especially in her own state of North Carolina.
Trump’s proposed legal aid cuts are not only cruel, they’re costly to NC | Opinion
Free legal aid protects seniors and helps veterans in NC. Children and vulnerable families are helped too. Why is Donald Trump considering defunding this? | Opinion
www.heraldsun.com
June 12, 2025 at 3:46 PM
If you think there’s a crisis in the rule of law now, wait until we lose legal aid. Don’t let it happen. #LSCmatters
🚨 Trump wants to eliminate @LegalServicesCorp.bsky.social — but in NC, every $1 invested in legal aid returns $10.80 in public savings.
Cutting LSC is cruel and costly.
My op-ed is live today in Raleigh, Durham, & Charlotte. 📖 www.newsobserver.com/opinion/arti...
#LSCMatters #LegalAid
Cutting LSC is cruel and costly.
My op-ed is live today in Raleigh, Durham, & Charlotte. 📖 www.newsobserver.com/opinion/arti...
#LSCMatters #LegalAid
Trump’s proposed legal aid cuts are not only cruel, they’re costly to NC | Opinion
Free legal aid protects seniors and helps veterans in NC. Children and vulnerable families are helped too. Why is Donald Trump considering defunding this? | Opinion
www.newsobserver.com
June 5, 2025 at 9:49 AM
🚨 Trump wants to eliminate @LegalServicesCorp.bsky.social — but in NC, every $1 invested in legal aid returns $10.80 in public savings.
Cutting LSC is cruel and costly.
My op-ed is live today in Raleigh, Durham, & Charlotte. 📖 www.newsobserver.com/opinion/arti...
#LSCMatters #LegalAid
Cutting LSC is cruel and costly.
My op-ed is live today in Raleigh, Durham, & Charlotte. 📖 www.newsobserver.com/opinion/arti...
#LSCMatters #LegalAid
Reposted by Sonja Ebron
If a foreign adversary snuck into our Federal budget and cut science research and education the way we’re cutting it ourselves — strategically undermining America’s long-term health, wealth, and security — we would likely consider it an act of war.
May 19, 2025 at 7:36 PM
If a foreign adversary snuck into our Federal budget and cut science research and education the way we’re cutting it ourselves — strategically undermining America’s long-term health, wealth, and security — we would likely consider it an act of war.
Interested in AI and #accesstojustice? Come check us out tomorrow!
Happening Tomorrow! 📅 Join #IAALS + Duke Center on Law & Tech (DCLT) for a convo on UPL, AI & the future of legal services.
👤 @sonja.courtroom5.com - @courtroom5.com + JTA Co-Founder
👤 Jeff Ward - #DCLT + JTA Advisor
🗓️ Apr 30 | 3PM ET
🔗 buff.ly/R6x2vho
#JusticeTech #AIinLaw #LegalInnovation
👤 @sonja.courtroom5.com - @courtroom5.com + JTA Co-Founder
👤 Jeff Ward - #DCLT + JTA Advisor
🗓️ Apr 30 | 3PM ET
🔗 buff.ly/R6x2vho
#JusticeTech #AIinLaw #LegalInnovation
Navigating Legal Services Markets, Innovation, and Unauthorized Practice of Law | IAALS
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET
buff.ly
April 30, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Interested in AI and #accesstojustice? Come check us out tomorrow!
So grateful for this band of #accesstojustice innovators working to put legal technologies in the hands of self-represented litigants. Thanks for the shoutout!
Facing #CivilCourt alone?
@courtroom5.com helps people represent themselves in debt lawsuits, divorce, and eviction cases — with tools to organize, plan, and show up ready.
Built by Dr. @sonja.courtroom5.com & Dr. Debra Slone.
🔗 buff.ly/iXpvVkS
#JusticeTech #AccessToJustice #CivilLitigation
@courtroom5.com helps people represent themselves in debt lawsuits, divorce, and eviction cases — with tools to organize, plan, and show up ready.
Built by Dr. @sonja.courtroom5.com & Dr. Debra Slone.
🔗 buff.ly/iXpvVkS
#JusticeTech #AccessToJustice #CivilLitigation
JTA Member Spotlight: Courtroom5
Meet Courtroom5 - a leader in the justice tech ecosystem. Meet the founders on a mission to democratize legal access for self-represented litigants.
buff.ly
April 25, 2025 at 8:36 PM
So grateful for this band of #accesstojustice innovators working to put legal technologies in the hands of self-represented litigants. Thanks for the shoutout!
Reposted by Sonja Ebron
#IAALS and @dukelaw.bsky.social kick off a new #webinar series next week — and JTA Ecosystem Members are in the mix!
👤 @sonja.courtroom5.com (Courtroom5)
👤 Jeff Ward (Duke Center on Law & Tech)
🗓️ Apr 30 | 3PM ET
Topic: Legal markets, innovation & UPL
🔗 buff.ly/R6x2vho
#JusticeTech #LegalAI
👤 @sonja.courtroom5.com (Courtroom5)
👤 Jeff Ward (Duke Center on Law & Tech)
🗓️ Apr 30 | 3PM ET
Topic: Legal markets, innovation & UPL
🔗 buff.ly/R6x2vho
#JusticeTech #LegalAI
Navigating Legal Services Markets, Innovation, and Unauthorized Practice of Law | IAALS
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET
buff.ly
April 22, 2025 at 1:54 PM
#IAALS and @dukelaw.bsky.social kick off a new #webinar series next week — and JTA Ecosystem Members are in the mix!
👤 @sonja.courtroom5.com (Courtroom5)
👤 Jeff Ward (Duke Center on Law & Tech)
🗓️ Apr 30 | 3PM ET
Topic: Legal markets, innovation & UPL
🔗 buff.ly/R6x2vho
#JusticeTech #LegalAI
👤 @sonja.courtroom5.com (Courtroom5)
👤 Jeff Ward (Duke Center on Law & Tech)
🗓️ Apr 30 | 3PM ET
Topic: Legal markets, innovation & UPL
🔗 buff.ly/R6x2vho
#JusticeTech #LegalAI