I started to develop N-Map’s techniques as a lawyer, in the context of real cases, out of specific legal needs. I represented a group of African American workers at a poultry plant who had been subjected to severe racial harassment, including a segregated bathroom with a “Whites Only” sign on the door (in 2003!). Despite these disturbing facts, our prospects looked grim. When we entered settlement negotiations, our mediator advised us to take the $10,000 that the defendants were offering our 13 clients. The conventional tools of legal advocacy had failed us. Looking for a new approach to salvage the case, I made a short movie out of deposition videos. The video told our clients’ story in their own voices, and illustrated how the case would look if it went to trial. A week later we settled for $1.3 million, and significant reforms at the plant.

I have started to assemble a coalition of law and media professionals to work together to transform the way human rights and social justice advocacy is done. An Oscar winning documentary filmmaker, Alex Gibney, has joined our board. Together we will bring both legal and media skills to bear to solve human rights problems.