Around three months ago I came up with the idea of a modern legal directory that allows people to find the right lawyer for their problem in minutes using AI. People (or justice seekers) simply describe their issue in their own words, and AI, powered by OpenAI GPT-4.0, classifies the type of legal problem and identifies the appropriate lawyer needed to solve it. It would then show several lawyers in their local area who can solve their problem.
People are more than capable to describe their personal problem to others (online and offline), and after looking at several legal directories they all had a unique problem. They all assumed that people understood their legal problem and thus could select their ‘legal category/issue’. These systems are not designed for most people who have not dealt with the law.
We often wonder why access to justice is an issue and the problem is looking at us dead in the eye. Not only is the cost of legal services a barrier, but also how difficult it can be for people to simply find the right lawyer for their specific legal problem.
You might argue ‘but Google’? Google gives you 100s of results across 1000s of pages across millions of words of legal information for a single person to digest. Besides not all people know what to type in - they just know their story.
All people need is one definitive answer. This is why a seeker might take up days or several weeks before they get proper legal advice from a lawyer. Referral upon referral. Fatigued. Stressed. Tired.
Having realised this, an amazing friend and developer Tim Grillmeier and I built https://ai.leeway.legal in a month. It's a live and working demo (or proof of concept) that demonstrates how people can find the right lawyer in minutes. There should be one place for all people to find the right lawyer, but that is unrealistic. What we need is a change across Australia, if not globally. All legal directories should consider how to help people find the right lawyer for the right legal advice within reasonable time.
Because of this, I have decided to openly share this concept. I am willing to collaborate and demonstrate how the system works but it should come alongside a solid plan to fast-track the legal profession into the modern digital era.
We must accelerate the digitalisation of our profession that will provide the foundation for on-demand justice and guidance that people deserve.
But what about the lawyers? More work? More stress? I think the opposite. Embracing this change will see that lawyers become happier and more efficient using modern tools and find more working opportunities.
Feel free to share this to any connections you see fit. You can check out https://leeway.legal.
Joe Gaz | Blog
