#37 Grasping at Straws: How Getting Shot at 19 Launched a Legal Tech Career

Join David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, on this Lawyers Who Learn episode as he explores the remarkable path of Alistair Vigier, whose candid admission about "grasping at straws" after life-changing events reveals the uncertainty that often precedes entrepreneurial success.

Alistair's journey began with a traumatic incident at age 19 when he was shot during military training, derailing his special forces ambitions and leaving him uncertain about his future. This period led him through psychology studies and law school as he searched for a new direction, experiencing what many lawyers face - entering the profession while still figuring out their true calling.

After working in divorce law and growing a law firm's revenue from $2 million to $5 million, Alistair Vigier pursued various opportunities - creating Clearway (a lawyer review site with over 1.1 million profiles), developing an e-commerce skincare business he successfully sold, and most recently launching Caseway Legal Research. This AI-powered tool gained 2,500 users in just seven months.

Throughout the conversation, Alistair shares insights about the entrepreneurial journey, from pivoting when ideas don't work to handling negative reviews from angry lawyers. His approach to product development - gathering extensive user feedback before building - demonstrates lessons learned from previous ventures.

Now working 80+ hours weekly at his legal technology company Caseway while balancing life with a newborn, Alistair Vigier provides a realistic view of entrepreneurship. Not glamorizing success but highlighting the persistence, adaptation, and continuous learning required. His story of transformation from military crisis to legal technology innovation offers valuable perspective for anyone considering a career pivot or entrepreneurial venture in the rapidly evolving legal technology landscape.

This episode reveals how uncertainty can catalyze innovation when paired with determination and a willingness to evolve your approach continuously.