In an unprecedented outcome, the 2025 ABA Techshow Startup Alley pitch competition concluded with a tie, marking a first in its nine-year history. The event, which serves as the kickoff for the American Bar Association’s annual legal technology conference, saw fifteen legal tech startups vying for recognition, with the victor chosen by a vote from the attending audience.
The process of selecting these final fifteen competitors involved a rigorous multi-step evaluation to narrow down the applicants. Each contender had a mere three minutes to present their pitch at the Techshow in Chicago, resulting in an impressive showcase of innovation in legal technology.
Ultimately, two startups emerged with an equal number of votes:
- Case Crafter, based in Norway, which offers a solution for creating compelling visual timelines from case files and evidence, designed to aid legal professionals.
- Querious, a platform delivering real-time insights to attorneys during client interactions, assisting with identifying legal issues, accessing pertinent content, and recommending next steps and questions.
The third-place honor went to Lawft, a law practice management tool developed by practicing attorneys, that aims to streamline legal practice workflows.
Acknowledgments were extended to all participants and to Clio, the private legal technology company, for sponsoring the competition throughout its duration. Photos included in the coverage featured notable figures, including Anna Summersett and Benson Varghese from Lawft and industry investors and founders from the top startups.