Himanshu Gupta on Transforming the Legal Industry with Lawyered

Himanshu Gupta - Lawyered

An interview with Himanshu Gupta – Founder & CEO at Lawyered – India’s leading legal tech startup

In this interview, we sit down with Himanshu Gupta, the Founder and CEO of Lawyered, India’s leading legal tech startup.

Himanshu shares his journey of creating a platform that simplifies legal services, making them accessible to millions. With a focus on innovation and technology, Lawyered is redefining the future of legal assistance in India.

Mr. Gupta, could you share with us what inspired you to start Lawyered and how your journey into the legal tech space began?

Himanshu Gupta: My journey in legal-tech began during my 19-year corporate career before founding Lawyered. I spent nearly a decade at a legal-tech multinational corporation, where I developed innovative solutions for the legal industry.

However, I soon recognized a critical gap: the real challenge wasn’t optimizing lawyers’ time but bridging the disconnect between legal advice seekers and lawyers.

Many individuals were hesitant to approach lawyers, and lawyers lacked effective avenues to connect with potential clients. This realization inspired me to create Lawyered in 2018, a transparent and trustworthy marketplace addressing these barriers by enhancing awareness and accessibility.

In 2021, we introduced our flagship product, LOTS (Lawyer On-The-Spot), India’s first Roadside Legal Assistance platform.

It offers 24/7 support and resolution for commercial vehicle drivers facing on-road legal challenges, quickly becoming a lifeline for truck drivers in need. Recognizing the broader applicability, we expanded in 2023 to serve cabs, buses, and private vehicle owners through strategic partnerships.

By 2024, in response to growing demand and the need for greater accessibility, we transitioned to a B2C model with the launch of our app. This app enables individuals to access Roadside Legal Assistance, manage incidents, and resolve issues like fines seamlessly from their smartphones.

Today, the Roadside Legal Assistance platform remains the cornerstone of Lawyered, delivering real-time, efficient legal support to commercial and private vehicle owners alike. This embodies our mission to make legal help accessible and hassle-free for everyone, everywhere.

What differentiates Lawyered from other legal advisory platforms, and how do you ensure the quality and reliability of the legal advice provided on your platform?

Himanshu Gupta: What sets Lawyered apart is our unwavering focus on solving consumers’ problems with a proactive and preventive approach.

Unlike traditional platforms that react only after issues escalate, we are committed to addressing legal concerns on-the-spot, preventing delays and further complications.

Our services are designed to be highly cost-effective, standardizing and predicting legal costs so users know exactly what to expect.

We take ownership of every matter end-to-end, going beyond mere lawyer accessibility to ensure complete resolution.

Our flagship product, LOTS, exemplifies this commitment by offering immediate, real-time assistance. Powered by a scalable platform and backed by a robust network of over 70,000 lawyers covering the entire country, we ensure that legal help is always within reach—often within two business hours.

This extensive reach, combined with advanced technology, allows us to swiftly connect users with the right experts, providing timely and effective resolutions.

At Lawyered, we don’t just provide access to legal services; we redefine them with a consumer-first mindset, making legal assistance seamless, reliable, and impactful for every user.

How have you scaled Lawyered since its inception, and what challenges did you face during the scaling process?

Himanshu Gupta: Scaling Lawyered from its inception has been a journey marked by both challenges and triumphs. One of the primary challenges was establishing trust among consumers.

To overcome this, we built credibility by forging partnerships with industry associations like AITWA, FADA, and various transport organizations.

Collaborations with platforms such as CARS24, leasing companies like ALD Car Leasing, and several automobile dealers across India further bolstered our reach and reliability.

Another significant challenge was ensuring the ability to resolve matters efficiently across India. We addressed this by empanelling over 70,000 lawyers strategically located to cover almost every 50 kilometers of highways.

This extensive network enables us to provide support within two business hours, ensuring timely and effective resolutions.

Additionally, India’s diverse legal frameworks posed complexities in developing universally scalable solutions. We tackled this through intuitive tools that seamlessly integrate into existing workflows, making legal assistance accessible and straightforward.

Awareness campaigns and educational programs further helped demystify legal technology and highlight its benefits.

By introducing consumer-first products like LOTS and LAILA (Lawyered AI Legal Assistant), we shifted the paradigm from reactive to proactive legal engagement.

These innovations empower users to address potential legal issues before they escalate, fostering a more proactive approach to legal well-being.

Through these combined efforts, Lawyered has successfully navigated the scaling process, turning challenges into opportunities and establishing a robust presence in India’s legal tech landscape.

With increasing awareness around legal rights and digital transformation, how do you think clients’ expectations from legal services will evolve in the coming years?

Himanshu Gupta: As legal rights awareness grows and digital transformation accelerates, clients’ expectations are evolving towards solutions that are faster, more accessible, and personalized. Key shifts include:

1. Problem-Solving Focus: Clients will expect legal services to proactively address their challenges before they escalate, rather than relying solely on reactive support. This will require platforms to anticipate needs and provide preventive solutions.

2. Real-Time Assistance: With the increasing demand for immediacy, clients will look for legal services that provide on-the-spot solutions. Delayed resolutions will no longer meet expectations in an era of instant gratification.

3. Cost Predictability: Transparency in pricing will be crucial, with standardized costs that ensure predictability and affordability.

4. End-to-End Ownership: Clients will value platforms that take responsibility for the entire legal process rather than simply connecting them with a lawyer. Complete solutions will be preferred over fragmented services.

5. Scalability and Nationwide Reach: The ability to offer legal support across the country—within tight timeframes—will be a defining factor.

6. Technology Integration: Advanced tools like AI and predictive analytics will not only make processes faster but also enhance accuracy and personalization. Platforms that embrace these technologies will stand out.

To meet these evolving expectations, legal service providers must prioritize proactive, client-centric models powered by technology, accessibility, and reliability.

Lawyered is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation, offering seamless, comprehensive legal solutions that align with future client needs.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone navigating legal challenges today who might be looking for online legal help?

Himanshu Gupta: Navigating legal challenges can be daunting, but my experience as both a consumer and a legal-tech expert has taught me the importance of strategic decision-making and choosing the right resources. Here’s my advice:

“Focus on understanding your challenge and selecting a platform that emphasizes transparency, accessibility, and end-to-end support.”

Clarify Your Needs: Identify the exact nature of your legal issue. For instance, if it’s a traffic challan, determine if it’s due to a documentation issue or a more complex violation. This clarity will guide you to the most suitable solutions.

Choose a Consumer-Centric Platform: Opt for platforms that take ownership of the entire resolution process. For example, a property dispute might involve not just legal advice but also document verification and filing assistance. Look for holistic services that address these needs.

Leverage Technology for Efficiency: Use services that simplify legal processes. If you need to draft a contract, a platform with automated templates and real-time expert feedback can save significant time while ensuring quality.

Verify Credibility and Track Record: Choose platforms with proven expertise. For example, a service with verifiable client reviews and a history of handling cases like yours—whether it’s tenancy disputes or traffic violations—offers more confidence.

Act Quickly and Stay Proactive: Legal matters often require timely intervention. For example, responding promptly to a challan notice can prevent it from escalating into a court case. Stay informed and take action early to avoid complications.

By following these steps and selecting the right resources, you can navigate even the most complex legal challenges effectively while minimizing stress and uncertainty.

Himanshu Gupta’s vision for Lawyered highlights a future where legal services are more transparent, affordable, and efficient.

His insights into the evolving legal tech landscape offer a glimpse into the transformative role technology will play in shaping the legal sector.

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