Pittsburgh startup uses AI to find the right lawyer
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Illustration: Tiffany Herring/Axios
A new Pittsburgh startup wants to make finding a lawyer as simple as booking a Lyft ride, and investors are starting to take notice.
Why it matters: As many as 6 in 10 Americans facing a civil legal matter say they went without an attorney in 2024, per a Harris Poll for the Legal Services Corporation, citing cost and uncertainty about where to find help.
- ATJustice, a public benefit corporation launched last year, offers a free AI-powered legal referral service designed to simplify finding a lawyer and, ultimately, help reduce legal costs.
The big picture: Founders David Cohen and Bal Srinivasan launched ATJustice last year.
- Cohen is a lawyer with roughly 40 years of experience, including work with Fortune 500 clients at firms including K&L Gates and Reed Smith.
- Srinivasan spent more than 25 years building products in the legal-tech space.
- The two saw a significant need for legal services among the public — from estate planning and divorce to criminal defense.
Between the lines: Cohen and Srinivasan say AI can expand access to legal services, but shouldn't replace lawyers, citing the risks of relying on AI for legal advice. ATJustice simplifies the process of finding and working with licensed professionals.
How it works: Users submit a brief online request describing the legal help they need and their contact information.
- ATJustice's customized AI identifies potential attorney matches based on the person's needs and location. The referral program is available to anyone in the U.S.
- A licensed attorney reviews each recommendation before sending matches to the user with short summaries and contact information. Users then reach out to the best fit.
- Founders encourage attorneys to offer discounted rates to clients in lieu of a referral fee. Attorneys can also join the ATJustice Network for client referrals and streamlined intake.
What's next: The team says early conversations with potential investors have generated strong interest. They're also exploring accelerator programs, such as AlphaLab, as they evaluate next steps for funding and growth.
- "What Uber and Lyft did for the ride-hiring market, we would like to do for the legal services market," Cohen says.