In the world of appellate law, one name stands out not just for his legal prowess but also for his innovative approach to justice—Aaron Daniel. The Florida Bar Board Certified Appellate Attorney is on a mission to revolutionize how disputes are settled globally using open-source technology. According to Aaron, his goal is to make justice more accessible.
Aaron is the co-founder and president of the Open Source Justice Foundation (OSJF), a non-profit public charity empowering individuals to settle disputes through open-source technology. Aaron is also a co-founder of Resolvr, a pioneering company building private legal systems within a bitcoin-powered global economy. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Aaron Daniel is a partner at Kula & Associates P.A. and the vice chair of the Florida Bar’s Appellate Court Rules Committee. Aaron has argued before all five Florida District Courts of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court. How did Aaron Daniel become a leading figure in both appellate law and legal technology? Here is his story.
Early Life and Education
Aaron was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and grew up in Africa and Europe. He says the experience partly led him into law. It gave him a unique perspective on justice and equality and wanted to pursue this further.
Aaron returned to Atlanta to complete high school and attend Emory University, where he did his Bachelor’s in International Studies/German Studies. He then joined the University Of Miami School Of Law, graduating magna cum laude. Aaron received the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement Award in Constitutional Law, Immigration Law, and Labor Law.
Career Beginnings
First Steps
Aaron’s legal career began with an internship at the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office in 2010. He worked there for eight months, gaining hands-on experience in criminal defense.
Rise to Prominence
In 2012, Aaron joined Kula & Associates P.A. as an Associate Attorney. Here, he honed his skills in appellate law, quickly establishing himself as a formidable advocate. Aaron regularly practices in Federal Bankruptcy, District, and Circuit Courts of Appeals. He has represented hundreds of entrepreneurs, small businesses, and Fortune 100 companies in all state litigations.
His experience inspired him to venture into open-source.
“Most people in the world are denied access to justice, and unfortunately existing systems are not designed to change this situation but to work within it. Private, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) systems and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) technologies have the potential to drastically increase global access to justice. But the transformative power of conventional ADR and ODR tools are hindered by proprietary software licenses that shield source code from view. Without a way for users to verify the operation of these black-box solutions, they suffer from perceptions of unfairness or bias, which disincentives use. Such closed-source licenses prevent communities from modifying the ODR tools to fit their specific needs. By taking conventional ADR and ODR designs, however, and deploying them through free open-source software and protocols, communities and individuals can harness the full potential of these private dispute resolution systems. The result is Open Source Justice.”- Aaron Daniel.
The tenets of the free and open-source software (FOSS) movement are aligned to advance equal access to justice. FOSS is permissionless, inclusive, transparent, and anti-discriminatory.
Key Projects and Initiatives
Aaron’s career is dotted with significant milestones highlighting his expertise and influence in appellate law and Bitcoin technology. In 2018, he achieved Board Certification in Appellate Practice by the Florida Bar. Aaron was also recognized as a ‘Rising Star’ by Super Lawyers in 2019 and 2020. But one of his biggest achievements is the Open Source Justice Foundation. According to Aaron, there is no greater joy than knowing everyone can get justice despite their status or location.
Leadership and Vision
Leadership style
His inclusive and forward-thinking leadership style has been instrumental to his success. Aaron’s colleagues at both Open Source Justice Foundation and Kula & Associates describe him as a visionary leader who is not afraid to challenge the status quo.
Vision for the Future
When asked about his ultimate goal, Aaron envisions a future where open-source technology radically transforms the legal landscape. He dreams of a world where access to justice is not limited by geography or social status. Open Source Justice Foundation aims to harness the principles of the free and open-source software (FOSS) movement—permissionless, inclusive, transparent, and anti-discriminatory—to create dispute resolution tools that are accessible to everyone.
Personal Insights
Personal Life
Beyond the courtroom, Aaron is a devoted family man. He loves spending time with his kids and loved ones. Aaron is also a skilled photographer and writer. He playfully describes himself as an “appellate attorney by day, photographer by night.”
Philanthropy and values
Aaron is also an avid supporter of children’s causes, civil rights, and education. He is actively involved in various community organizations and bar associations, contributing his time and expertise to advance justice and equality.
Challenges and Controversies
Obstacles Overcome
Aaron’s journey has not been without challenges. Like most entrepreneurs, he has encountered numerous roadblocks. He says his biggest challenge was setting up OSFJ.
“Most industries, law included, have a specific way of doing things, and trying to introduce something different from what they are used to is difficult. Some stakeholders will fight your ideas even without first looking into them,” says Aaron.
Lessons Learned
From the experience, Aaron has learned the importance of resilience and adaptability, which he is trying to teach others in the industry. The legal landscape is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires continuous learning and innovation.
Future Plans
Upcoming Projects
Looking ahead, Aaron aims to expand OSFJ’s reach, bringing open-source dispute resolution tools to more communities worldwide. He’s using different platforms, including his legal research newsletter, The Bitcoin Brief, to educate legal professionals about Bitcoin and its transformative potential for society. The Bitcoin Brief also delves into important areas of the law relating to Bitcoin’s usage, adoption, and philosophical underpinnings.
Industry Impact
Aaron Daniel has undeniably made significant contributions to both appellate law and the evolving legal landscape of Bitcoin. OSFJ, committed to expanding global access to justice through its “freedom 0 to 3” principle, is a testament to this impact. But Aaron’s journey is far from over. In his words, he is just getting started. Aaron Daniel’s journey is a testament to unwavering dedication, innovation, and a profound commitment to justice. From his early years abroad to his current roles as a leading appellate attorney and the Open Source Justice Foundation president, his vision for a more accessible and equitable justice system is inspiring, and his efforts are paving the way for a future where technology and law intersect to advance global access to justice. Aaron Daniel concludes, “Justice should not be a privilege for the few but a right for all.”
