Strategic Modernization in Justice and Government Services
Who We Are
At Pono Pono'i Consulting, we are driven by a profound commitment to enhancing access to justice and modernizing governmental services. Our approach integrates empathy and design thinking to transform correctional systems and deliver impactful, technology-driven solutions. With extensive experience and deep industry insights gained from transformative engagements with government agencies worldwide, we are dedicated to driving meaningful change.
Our strategic consulting services leverage cutting-edge technology to optimize justice proceedings and governmental services for court systems globally. By blending justice expertise with technological innovation, we provide bespoke solutions that enhance efficiency and accessibility, meticulously tailored to meet our clients' unique needs. Guided by a team of distinguished experts with comprehensive knowledge of court procedures, correctional operations, and advanced technologies, Pono Pono'i Consulting is committed to reshaping the justice landscape. Our mission is to ensure equitable access to justice, fostering a more just and effective justice system for all.
What's in our name?
'Pono,' a term from the Hawaiian language, reflects the pursuit of ethical, responsible, and morally sound living.This fundamental principle is the cornerstone of our firm, influencing and directing all our actions.
Leaders in the Justice Technology Industry
Our firm includes a team of experts with profound knowledge of court procedures, justice systems, and technology. Driven by our commitment to doing what's right, we focus on initiatives that bring positive change and help those in need. We ensure that our services are not only advanced but also uphold the highest standards of integrity.
Our Founder - Michael Dunn
Michael Dunn, the visionary Founder and CEO of Pono Pono'i Consulting, brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors. His distinguished career includes serving as Director of Worldwide Public Sector at Microsoft, where he was responsible for the company's Courts and Corrections Business Strategy.
Michael's profound understanding of court procedures and correctional operations, combined with his technical expertise, has significantly influenced justice reform and enhanced the delivery of justice. His leadership continues to shape the future of justice technology, driving innovation and improving outcomes across the justice landscape.
Selen Ustun
Selen Ustun, Chief Technology Officer and Partner of Pono Pono’i Consulting, is a proven technology leader with two decades of experience designing and delivering innovative solutions across the public and private sectors. She combines deep technical expertise in software engineering with a strategic vision for the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.
Before joining Pono Pono’i, Selen held senior leadership roles including Director of Partnerships & Alliances at Thomson Reuters, where she drove growth through technology partnerships and large-scale collaborations. Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, a Master of Science in Computer Science, and an MBA from Yale University.
Selen’s expertise spans AI-driven platforms, cloud architectures, and digital transformation initiatives. At Pono Pono’i, she leads the development of next-generation court case management systems and consumer applications, leveraging AI to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and create lasting impact.
Her leadership bridges technology and real-world application, ensuring that the solutions Pono Pono’i delivers are not only advanced but also practical, secure, and accessible. Through her work, Selen continues to shape the future of justice technology and AI innovation, helping organizations embrace change with confidence.
Bryan James Hernandez
Bryan James Hernandez is a public-sector technology leader and Court Modernization & Applied AI Manager within the Strategic Innovations Group at the Superior Court of Orange County. He leads initiatives that bring practical, production-ready technology into court operations, improving efficiency, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. Bryan oversees cross-functional teams spanning data science, application development, and analytics, managing modernization efforts from planning through deployment and ongoing support. His work focuses on integrating modern capabilities into existing court systems in a way that preserves stability, security, and day-to-day operations while delivering measurable improvements.
Bryan’s approach is grounded in responsible, user-centered innovation. He builds AI and analytics solutions that are explainable, reliable, and monitored in production, with strong governance practices including validation, performance tracking, and model health checks. His work includes translation services to support access to justice, document intelligence and filing validation tools, and court wide data analytics modernization on Microsoft Azure, where he has led the development of 100+ reports supporting Finance, HR, Accounting, and Procurement. He also actively shares solutions and architecture with courts across California, helping smaller courts adopt modern technology. Bryan regularly presents at national conferences such as NACM, CTC, and Coding for Justice, and his work reflects the Pono Pono'i principle of delivering ethical, responsible modernization that expands access to justice.
