Vancouver-based LawDroid has appointed access-to-justice innovator Sateesh Nori as its first Chief Legal Futurist, a newly created role focused on applying artificial intelligence to legal aid, courts, and government services.
In the role, Nori will lead LawDroid’s exploration of how AI and other emerging technologies can reshape legal service delivery to better meet growing demand amid constrained resources. He will work at the intersection of research, policy, and product development, with a focus on responsible and practical innovation.
Nori concurrently serves as a Senior Research Fellow in AI and Access to Justice at New York University School of Law’s Center on Civil Justice, where his work examines how technology can expand access to legal help. The dual roles are intended to bridge academic research with real-world deployment.
LawDroid Founder and CEO Tom Martin first met Nori in 2022, when Nori was recognized with the Technology Award at the American Legal Technology Awards for his work with JustFix. Since then, the two have collaborated on multiple initiatives, most recently co-creating Depositron—an application designed to help New York City tenants recover potentially more than $100 million in security deposits through automated, professional demand letters.
“Sateesh brings a practical vision for how technology can make a real difference,” said Martin. “From our first collaboration, it was clear he’s focused on outcomes, not hype. As Chief Legal Futurist, he’ll help drive meaningful innovation, and I’m excited to have him shaping the future of access to justice at LawDroid.”
Nori brings more than two decades of experience as a legal aid attorney, law professor, author, and legal technologist, having worked extensively on housing justice in New York City. His previous roles include Executive Director at JustFix, Managing Attorney at The Legal Aid Society of New York City’s Queens office, and Senior Legal Innovation Strategist at Just-Tech.
“I am honored to step into the role of Chief Legal Futurist at LawDroid at a moment when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how legal help is delivered,” said Nori. “I’m grateful for Tom Martin’s trust and for the opportunity to build tools that expand access to justice while strengthening the legal profession.”
The appointment comes as unmet civil legal needs remain widespread. According to the Legal Services Corporation’s Justice Gap Report, most low-income Americans receive little or no legal help for their civil legal problems—underscoring the need for scalable, technology-enabled solutions.