If you’re a lawyer or paralegal or even just someone who has to deal with something legal, you’ve probably noticed the landscape is buzzing with new tech (in particular AI), which is trying to make our lives easier. Everyone’s trying to stand out, and it’s vital to be straightforward with founders and say, “So what makes you different?” With Caseway.ai, there’s actually a pretty solid answer to that.
First off, you’ve got to know the team behind this thing. One of the company’s advisors, Rian Gauvreau, helped build Clio—yeah, the $3 billion USD legal tech company that’s basically the gold standard in this space. This isn’t some random guy who’s watched a few YouTube videos about AI; this is a guy who knows his way around legal tech like nobody’s business.
That alone is a huge deal because it means Caseway has the kind of industry insider knowledge and networking chops that can help them integrate directly with Clio’s 150,000 customers, which is already in the works (setting up an API with Clio.) So, if you’re wondering how they’re planning to hit escape velocity and get so far ahead that nobody else can catch up, that’s a damn good start.
Not another ChatGPT Wrapper
Caseway isn’t just riding Clio’s coattails—it’s building its own moat by being more than a simple ChatGPT wrapper. Unlike generic AI that gives broad advice, Caseway focuses specifically on legal questions and relevant case law, giving it a significant edge.
As a niche product, Caseway is becoming more specialized and intelligent each day. By narrowing its scope, it can create an AI genuinely designed for the legal field. Think of it like fishing with a spear instead of a net—it’s getting exactly what it needs.
Caseway is also partnering with the University of British Columbia, securing three PhD students and $400,000 in resources to refine its proprietary AI. They’re in it to do more than just succeed—they’re aiming to dominate.
A key feature that sets Caseway apart is how it handles the AI concern of “hallucination”—when AI generates false information. Caseway only uses court decisions for its answers, so while other AI might pull from unreliable sources like Reddit or blogs, Caseway ensures the responses come from authoritative, judge-written rulings.
If Caseway ever spits out something odd, it’s because a judge wrote it—so the risk of misinformation is low. They’re also clear about not offering legal advice—only legal information. All sources are provided for easy verification, helping lawyers quickly confirm details and move forward. Caseway isn’t here to replace lawyers—it’s about saving them time by turning hours of research into just minutes.
The Caseway Business Model
Let’s talk business model. Caseway is sticking to the B2B SaaS model for now, which makes sense given Rian’s background. They’re starting with two tiers: a $49/month basic version that lets you ask questions and a $99/month version where you can upload documents and have the machine tear the documents apart from a legal perspective.
Think about it: you get sued, you upload the civil claim, and Caseway’s AI checks the legal basis, finds out if any cases were overturned on appeal, and spots any inaccuracies. That’s a serious time-saver. Down the line, they’re thinking about an enterprise-level product tailored to specific industries, like grocery chains, that have their own set of legal concerns. But they’re not rushing it; they’re keeping their eye on the ball and focusing on what they know works first.
As for growth, their strategy is refreshingly straightforward. They’re not looking to blow their whole budget on PPC ads just yet. Instead, they’re focusing on direct sales. Alistair Vigier, the co-founder, has been grinding on LinkedIn, sending out messages to lawyers and paralegals, and getting an 80% success rate for people wanting to try out Caseway.
That’s pretty damn good.
And honestly, this approach makes sense. You’ve got this killer product, why not let people play around with it and see its value firsthand? It’s a lot more effective than just talking about what it could do. They’re also looking to leverage SEO and, of course, that sweet Clio.com partnership to bring in more users.
Getting paid users
The roadmap to revenue looks solid. As of August 2024, it was pre-revenue, but they’ve had 45 free sign-ups in the first week, and the plan is to convert as many of those into paying customers as possible once the paid version goes live.
We aim for $25k MRR quickly and then plan a more significant raise of around $1-3 million, depending on traction. They’re also open to acquisition, which could be a no-brainer given the current appetite for legal tech.
Clio alone is sitting on hundreds of millions and looking to make some acquisitions. Other big players like Thomson Reuters and Internet Brands are in the space, and they’ve been on a buying spree. So, while an IPO is probably off the table, getting acquired isn’t just a pipe dream—it’s a very real possibility.
The cool thing about Caseway is that it’s not just a “tech for tech’s sake” startup. It’s built by people who actually understand the legal industry’s pain points and know how to solve them in a practical way. They’re not looking to create some flashy AI tool that ends up collecting dust.
They’re building something worthwhile, scalable, and targeted, with a clear path to user acquisition and revenue. And they’ve got the brains and the connections to pull it off. If you’re in the legal field and tired of slogging through case law or just want to level up your game, Caseway’s worth keeping an eye on. It’s one of those rare products that makes sense, and it’s positioned to shake things up in a big way.
What Kind of Lawyers Is Caseway For?
If you’re a solo lawyer or part of a small law firm, you know the deal—you’re wearing a million hats. Billing, client meetings, court prep, and then there’s the time-sucking monster: legal research. Without a dedicated research team, it’s on you to sift through piles of case law. You’re hoping to find that one nugget that could turn your case around. Many times, lawyers are under tight deadlines, and they desperately need more time.
Caseway cuts finding cases down from hours to 15 seconds. It frees up your day to focus on what matters: preparing for court, strategizing, or even catching your breath. The more efficient you are, the happier your clients are, which means more referrals and less hassle. It also means you have a massive advantage over opposing counsel.
Now, government lawyers? These folks are slammed with a crazy workload, tight deadlines, and the pressure of not screwing up in front of a judge. Their client is the government, and if they lose in court, the taxpayer might have to cover the costs.
Government lawyers can’t afford to waste time digging through a 100-page court decision only to realize they’ve got the wrong case. With Caseway, they get what they need fast, accurately, and in a way that makes them look sharp and competent. A Crown prosecutor in BC told us they’ve been waiting for something like this, so we know it’s solving a real problem.
People Without Lawyers – Caseway Can Help
Let’s not forget self-represented litigants. Seventy percent of people entering the justice system in Canada don’t have a lawyer. These folks are stuck in a system that’s practically a minefield without formal legal training. Lawyers charge an arm and a leg for research, and many self-reps don’t have $100,000+ to spend on litigation.
However, with Caseway.ai, they can learn relevant case law in plain English. It’s not about turning them into lawyers, but it does mean they get to show up informed. That is a huge win when you’re up against seasoned lawyers. Or, even just trying to figure out what your next move should be. Judges respect self-represented litigants who show up to court prepared.
Some areas of law are notorious for being research-heavy. For example, in family law, lawyers might spend upwards of 50% of their time researching. They’ll be buried in case law and precedents to handle divorces, custody battles, and alimony disputes. If you can save even half that time with Caseway, that’s a massive value add.
Immigration lawyers and personal injury lawyers, on the other hand, are constantly looking for the latest case rulings or policy changes that could impact their clients.
Caseway Can Revolutionize Criminal Defence Lawyers’ Research Time
Criminal defence lawyers are forever digging through precedents to get favourable outcomes for their clients. This can take up 70% of their time. You can see the actual pain points by breaking it down like this. That’s where Caseway can make the most impact.
Caseway goes after these lawyers who spend a lot of time researching. Those that spend good chunk of their time (and their client’s money) on research, especially those in research-heavy practices, Caseway will be a no-brainer for them. It’s about showing them how much more they can do with the time they save. More cases, more clients, more wins. That’s the story they want to hear.
Author: Eric Lawson
Eric Lawson is a legal tech analyst. He specializes in AI tools for law firms and improving efficiency in legal research.
