Jacqueline Schafer, the founder and CEO of Clearbrief, was motivated to start her company from her experiences as a litigator and appellate advocate. During a pro bono asylum case, Schafer successfully pointed the judge to crucial evidence that supported her client’s arguments, ultimately saving the client from deportation and possible death. This case led her to a key realization: “If you can show the judge the evidence that really tells your client’s story, that’s how you win,” she stated.
Shortly after, Schafer began developing Clearbrief, an AI-powered tool designed to integrate with Microsoft Word to assist lawyers in identifying the best facts to bolster their legal writing. As of this week, the four-year-old company has raised an additional $4 million in funding, taking its total funding to nearly $8 million. Over its brief history, Clearbrief has garnered multiple accolades, including the American Legal Technology Awards’ 2021 legal tech startup of the year and Legalweek’s 2023 litigation product of the year.
In the latest episode of LawNext, Schafer discusses her transition from practicing lawyer to startup founder, elaborates on how Clearbrief aids lawyers in their writing, and shares insights on what the recent investment means for the future of the company and its users.