Hamid Kohan: Transforming Legal Technology
For many, the legal field evokes images of towering bookshelves and traditional practices. However, Hamid Kohan, President and CEO of Legal Soft Inc., has revolutionized the industry by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology into legal operations. With a strong foundation in Silicon Valley’s tech landscape, Hamid has propelled his company to an impressive 100% annual growth rate, redefining the way law firms function.
The Evolution of Legal Technology
Legal technology, or legal-tech, first emerged in the 1980s with the rise of personal computers. This innovation laid the groundwork for litigation software and digital client communication, setting the stage for future advancements.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated this transformation, pushing legal operations toward virtual platforms. A recent Gartner study predicts that legal departments will triple their technology investments in the coming years, with automation expected to handle nearly half of the legal work involved in major corporate transactions.
Legal Soft Inc.: Pioneering a New Era in Law
Legal Soft Inc. operates under a simple yet powerful principle: “You handle the law, and we’ll manage the business of law.” The company specializes in business development, marketing, lead generation, automation, and operations—essential components often overlooked in traditional legal practices. Legal Soft also employs experts across multiple fields, including Personal Injury, Employment, Immigration, and Workers’ Compensation, offering law firms comprehensive support at a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house staff.
Currently, Legal Soft partners with over 100 law firms nationwide, helping them scale their operations with a remarkable success rate. In an exclusive interview with Insights Success, Hamid Kohan shares his journey from Silicon Valley to the legal-tech space.
Insights from Hamid Kohan
Can you walk us through your professional journey?
I earned my engineering degree from California State University at just 17 and was quickly recruited into Silicon Valley’s high-tech sector. While working for various firms, I completed my MBA by the age of 21.
Early in my career, I contributed to pioneering advancements in Terminal Technology and played a role in a company’s Initial Public Offering on the New York Stock Exchange. I was also part of the team that developed the first Grid System laptop as a Senior Product Development Manager.
In 1984, I joined SUN Microsystems as a Senior Engineering Manager, where I played a role in growing the company from 200 to 13,000 employees in just eight years. I worked closely with industry leaders such as Eric Schmidt (former Google CEO) and Carol Bartz (former Yahoo CEO). My career then took me to Hitachi Computer Products as the North American Director of Business Development and later to Tandem Computers (HP) as Director of Product Management.
By 1999, I was Division President at Emblazed Technology, where I led a 300% expansion within a year. In 2004, I co-founded CAPLUCK Inc., a leading data management provider serving 40 states, including major non-profits.
In 2016, I founded Legal Soft Inc. to revolutionize legal practice management. By partnering with law firms, we have consistently achieved over 100% year-on-year growth and expanded into multiple legal domains.
What challenges have you faced along the way?
Scaling a company that grows at 300% annually presents unique challenges. Managing workforce expansion, staying ahead of technological advancements, and adapting to market shifts require constant innovation. Establishing expertise across multiple legal fields while mentoring attorneys was another significant challenge, but one that ultimately shaped our success.
How has Legal Soft Inc. impacted the legal-tech industry?
Our biggest achievement has been developing a systematic approach to law firm operations. We’ve introduced innovative technologies that streamline legal processes, significantly improving efficiency and return on investment.
Many past attempts to modernize legal practice were not scalable. In just 18 months, we have implemented our solutions in over 300 law firms, increasing collected fees by 300% and staffing by 200%.
What are the core principles of Legal Soft Inc.?
Legal Soft is built on the principles of scalability, efficiency, and innovation—values I honed in Silicon Valley. We focus on leveraging technology, outsourcing intelligently, and closely monitoring key performance indicators to drive continuous improvement.
How does Legal Soft promote workforce flexibility?
Workforce flexibility is central to our growth. We have successfully recruited, trained, and onboarded over 500 virtual legal staff globally. By strategically placing them in law practices, we help firms operate more efficiently while reducing costs.
What role does technology play in your business strategy?
Technology is the foundation of modern business scalability. At Legal Soft, we don’t just focus on case management systems; we continuously develop advanced solutions to enhance efficiency, reduce redundancies, and boost ROI.
What are your predictions for the future of legal technology?
The legal industry will see a surge in virtual law practices staffed by attorneys, senior paralegals, and legal assistants. We are preparing for this shift by integrating cutting-edge virtual resources, such as marketing teams and administrative support, with emerging technologies.
What are your long-term goals for Legal Soft Inc.?
We aim to expand our services globally while forming strategic partnerships with industry leaders to further streamline legal operations.
What advice do you have for aspiring business leaders?
Persistence is key. Embrace challenges head-on, build a strong team, and remain adaptable. Innovation and execution will always set you apart in any industry.
With a relentless drive for innovation and a deep understanding of both the tech and legal landscapes, Hamid Kohan continues to reshape the legal industry, proving that technology and law are not only compatible but also a powerful combination for success.