Story of Casetex: Founder and CEO - Jake Heller
Story of Casetex:
Founding a Legal Tech Vision
In 2013, Jake Heller, along with Laura Safdie and Pablo Arredondo, founded Casetext
in San Francisco with the goal of making legal research faster and more
accessible. Their mission was to use artificial intelligence to help lawyers
quickly find relevant cases and compose better legal briefs. Over the years,
Casetext became a trusted tool for more than 9,000 law firms across the United
States.
Jake Heller’s Legal Journey
Heller’s background prepared him well for this challenge. After completing his
undergraduate studies in economics and politics at Pitzer College, he earned
his JD at Stanford Law School, where he became President of the Stanford Law
Review. His early career included clerking at the U.S. Court of Appeals and
working at Ropes & Gray LLP. These experiences gave him firsthand exposure
to the inefficiencies in legal research, sparking the idea for Casetext.
Early Struggles and Persistence
When Casetext launched, AI technology was still in its infancy for legal
applications. The team relied on traditional machine learning and natural
language processing, which often fell short of expectations. For years, the
technology wasn’t mature enough to deliver on their full vision, but Heller and
his team stayed committed, refining their models and believing that AI would
eventually catch up.
Breakthrough with AI Assistants
Casetext’s big leap forward came with CoCounsel, an AI-powered legal
assistant that could go beyond simple search. It helped lawyers review
contracts, summarize lengthy documents, draft legal correspondence, and even
prepare for depositions. This expanded scope showed the industry that AI could
handle more than just finding cases—it could actively assist with the core work
of practicing law.
The Rise of Generative AI
By 2018, Casetext was already experimenting with early forms of large language
models (LLMs) to enhance search. But the real transformation came in 2022, when
advances in generative AI, particularly with models like ChatGPT, suddenly made
it possible to achieve the breakthroughs the team had long envisioned. What
once felt out of reach became a reality almost overnight, pushing Casetext into
the spotlight.
Riding the Wave of Demand
In 2023, the legal industry hit a tipping point. Law firm leaders began asking
what their “AI strategy” was, and Casetext was ready with an answer. Their
timing proved perfect: just as generative AI captured global attention,
Casetext already had years of expertise and a product that worked. This
momentum played a major role in the company’s rapid rise and eventual
acquisition.
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Acquisition by Thomson Reuters
In August 2023, Thomson Reuters acquired Casetext for $650 million in cash—a
landmark deal in legal tech history. The acquisition was seen as a response to
the AI revolution sweeping the industry, with Thomson Reuters determined not to
be left behind. For Casetext, it was a validation of a decade of persistence,
vision, and technological innovation.
Life After the Sale
Reflecting on the acquisition, Heller described it as both surprising and the
result of years of effort. He emphasized that while the financial windfall was
significant, true satisfaction came from seeing the team’s work recognized and
used at scale. In May 2025, Thomson Reuters shut down the original Casetext
product but integrated its AI assistant technology across its platforms,
ensuring the company’s legacy continued.
AI as the New Legal Assistant
Heller believes the future of law and life more broadly belongs to AI
assistants. He envisions a world where tools like CoCounsel become as
unavoidable as email or smartphones, assisting professionals with research,
drafting, and everyday tasks. He argues that AI assistants will democratize
access to help, offering everyone the kind of support once reserved for
high-level executives and politicians.
Looking Toward the Future
While robotics may still be far off, Heller imagines a time when AI assistants
extend into every part of life, from law firms to households. Just as machinery
and software transformed work in the past, generative AI will take over tedious
tasks, freeing people to focus on what matters most. For Casetext, the story is
not just about building a company—it’s about shaping how technology will
redefine assistance in the decades to come.
Timeline of Casetext’s Journey
- 2003–2007:
Jake Heller studies economics & politics at Pitzer College.
- 2007–2010:
Earns JD at Stanford Law School; becomes President of Stanford Law
Review.
- 2010–2011:
Clerks at the U.S. Court of Appeals (First Circuit).
- 2011–2013:
Works as Associate at Ropes & Gray LLP and later as Law Fellow in the
Governor’s Office.
- 2013:
Co-founds Casetext in San Francisco with Laura Safdie and Pablo Arredondo.
- 2018:
Begins exploring large language models for advanced legal search.
- 2022:
Launches CoCounsel, expanding AI’s role in legal workflows.
- August
2023: Casetext acquired by Thomson Reuters for $650 million.
- November
2023: Heller steps down as CEO after 10 years.
- May
2025: Thomson Reuters shuts down Casetext as a standalone product but
integrates its technology into broader platforms.
