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Benjamin Leider, a third-year student at the William S. Richardson School of Law, has been named one of The National Jurist’s 2025 Law Students of the Year—an honor that recognizes future legal leaders making an impact across the country. Leider was selected for his groundbreaking work developing an expungement automation tool that is already transforming access to justice in Hawaiʻi.
After taking the Coding for Lawyers course offered at Richardson Law, Leider joined Innovator-in-Residence Matthew Stubenberg as a research assistant on a legal technology project aimed at streamlining the expungement process. The result: a Chrome extension that determines whether a criminal case is eligible for expungement and then automatically populates the paperwork required to file.
The application’s goal was to reduce the barriers people face when trying to clear their records—especially those who cannot afford legal representation. Leider helped turn that vision into reality by building legal logic trees, coding the tool, collecting user feedback, and refining the application for use in legal clinics.
The tool had its soft launch at a free legal clinic in September 2024, where it helped 72 people begin the process of expungement. Its success led the Hawaiʻi Office of the Public Defender to request added functionality for bench warrant recalls—a feature Leider implemented earlier this year.
The National Jurist noted Leider’s ability to “perfectly combine both the technology requirements and the legal requirements to make the app work.” In their published profile, Leider also shared this advice for future lawyers:
“Look at the job market and your skills; choose your path accordingly,” he said. “If you want to make a difference in the world or in society, go with what moves you, and be determined.” (Quote published in The National Jurist, April 2025)
Leider is also developing an AI-powered mock trial simulator that allows users to upload case materials and participate in interactive trials—an innovative approach to experiential legal education.
“We could not be happier for Ben. His positive engagement at Richardson Law has been as innovative as it has been transformative. He is an exemplary recipient of this recognition as a National Jurist Law Students of the Year,” said Dean Camille Nelson.
Leider’s recognition not only celebrates his individual achievements but also highlights Richardson Law’s commitment to producing lawyers who are ready to lead, innovate, and make a difference from day one.
Read the full profile and list of honorees at The National Jurist.