What We Know and Need to Know About Legal Startups

Abstract

In the last few years a significant number of legal startups have entered the legal market. While much has been written about “disruptive innovators” and legal startups generally, we do not have a lot of specific information about legal startups. This Paper is a starting point to define legal startups, discuss why they are emerging, establish a taxonomy for legal startups, and identify what more we need to know about legal startups. There are few clear answers in this arena. It is my hope that this Paper will serve as a starting point for discussion that will lead to the legal industry leveraging the innovation demonstrated by legal startups to improve legal service delivery and access to legal services for everyone.

Keywords: legal startups, legal-service delivery, legal services, legal technology, LegalTech, lean law, LeanLaw, Access to Legal Services, Access to Justice, Legal Services, Legal Needs, Legal Profession, Lawyer