While many view law as confined to dusty volumes, Hamid Kohan, President and CEO of Legal Soft Inc., has reimagined traditional practices through his innovative insights. Drawing from his extensive experience in Silicon Valley, Hamid has integrated technology into legal processes, achieving remarkable annual growth of 100% for his company.

The concept of legal technology, or legal-tech, emerged in the 1980s with the advent of personal computers, which transformed the industry by introducing litigation software and enabling online communication with clients.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted a seismic shift in the justice system, pushing it toward virtual operations and accelerating the industry’s evolution. According to a recent Gartner study, legal departments are projected to triple their spending on technology in the coming years, automating about half of the legal work tied to major corporate transactions.

Legal Soft Inc. operates under the mantra, “You handle the law, and we’ll manage the business of law.” The company specializes in business development, marketing, lead generation, automation, and operations—areas traditionally seen as separate from legal practice but increasingly vital in today’s environment. The firm also employs legal experts across various fields, including Personal Injury, Employment, Immigration, and Workers’ Compensation.

Legal Soft Inc. provides law firms with expert assistance at a fraction of the cost of hiring local staff. Currently, the company collaborates with over 100 law firms nationwide, helping them expand their practices with a perfect success rate. In an exclusive interview with Insights Success, Hamid Kohan reflects on his transition from Silicon Valley tech environments to the legal sector.

Highlights from the Interview:

Hamid, can you share your professional journey?

I earned my engineering degree from California State University at just 17 and soon found myself recruited in Silicon Valley, launching my career in high-tech. While working for various firms, I completed my MBA at 21.

I was involved with pioneering companies in Terminal Technology and played a role in their Initial Public Offering on the New York Stock Exchange. I was also part of the team at the first company to develop a Laptop computer Grid System as a Senior Product Development Manager.

In 1984, I joined SUN Microsystems as a Senior Engineering Manager, contributing to its growth from 200 to 13,000 employees in just eight years. I was involved in taking the company public and worked alongside influential entrepreneurs like Eric Schmidt (Google CEO) and Carol Bartz (Yahoo CEO). My career then led me to Hitachi Computer Products as the North American Director of Business Development and later to Tandem Computers (HP) as Director of Product Management.

In 1999, I became Division President at Emblazed Technology, where I grew the operation by 300% within a year. In 2004, I co-founded CAPLUCK Inc., a leading provider of data management systems, serving clients in 40 states, including many non-profit organizations.

In 2016, I established Legal Soft Inc., focusing on Practice Management Solutions. We partnered with local law firms, achieving over 100% year-on-year growth and expanding into multiple legal practice areas.

What challenges did you encounter?

Scaling a company that grows at 300% annually presents significant hurdles. Challenges include staffing, technological advancements, and market adaptability. Becoming an industry expert overnight and mentoring attorneys in various practice areas is no small feat.

What impact have you made in the legal tech field?

Our most significant achievement has been creating a systematic approach to law firm operations. We’ve developed several technologies that streamline legal practice, significantly improving return on investment.

Many prior attempts to innovate in this space were not scalable. In just 18 months, we’ve implemented our services in over 300 law firms nationwide, resulting in a 300% increase in fees collected and a 200% rise in staffing across several practices.

Can you tell us about Legal Soft Inc. and its foundational principles?

Our foundation rests on integrating a high-tech mindset and scalability learned in Silicon Valley. We focus on leveraging technology, thinking creatively, outsourcing, and monitoring key performance indicators across practices.

How does Legal Soft foster workforce flexibility, and what is your role in this?

Workforce flexibility has been crucial for our growth. Our ability to recruit, train, and onboard over 500 virtual legal staff globally and place them effectively in law practices has been instrumental.

What is your perspective on the role of technology, and how are you using it?

Technology is vital for any business’s growth and scalability. This holds true across all sectors. We don’t limit our focus to just case management systems; we are continuously developing advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency, reduce redundancies, and boost ROI.

What changes do you foresee in the legal tech sector, and how are you preparing?

The future will see the rise of virtual law practices comprising attorneys and senior paralegals. We’ll integrate various virtual resources, such as legal assistants and marketing teams, with cutting-edge technology.

What are your goals for the future?

We aim to offer Legal Soft services globally while partnering with other industry providers to streamline operations.

What advice would you give to aspiring business leaders?

Never give up, face challenges head-on, and recognize the importance of a strong team. Stay innovative, adaptable, and proactive in implementation.