The legal industry is not known for moving fast. But Monica Goyal has built her career by doing exactly that.
She sits at the intersection of law and technology. And for more than a decade, she has helped push the legal field toward a more modern, accessible future.
Today, as VP of Legal Innovation at Briefly Legal, she leads enterprise AI transformation across multiple legal entities. But her path to this role was anything but traditional.
“I work in legal innovation,” she says. “To be successful, you need to understand both the law and the technology behind it.”
From Engineering to Law: A Non-Traditional Path
Monica Goyal did not start her career thinking she would become a legal innovator.
She grew up in Toronto and pursued engineering first. She earned a BASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. Then she went on to complete a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Stanford.
That technical foundation would later shape her entire career.
After engineering, she made a shift. She earned her law degree from the University of Toronto and was called to the bar in 2009. She also became a licensed Professional Engineer.
This dual background gave her a unique edge.
“I’ve always worked between two worlds,” she explains. “That’s where I’ve found the most opportunity.”
Building Early in Legal Tech Before It Was Popular
Before legal tech became a buzzword, Monica was already building in the space.
In 2010, she founded My Legal Briefcase. At the time, the idea of using technology to improve legal access was still early.
“It was an early-stage legal tech company,” she says. “The field wasn’t mainstream yet.”
The platform grew to serve over 5,000 users. It focused on improving access to legal tools and services.
She later founded Aluvion Law, running her own practice focused on business and technology law.
These experiences gave her a deep understanding of both the business of law and the limits of traditional systems.
“I wanted to make a difference to the profession,” she says. “But also create impact for people who can’t afford legal services.”
Teaching and Shaping the Next Generation of Lawyers
Alongside building companies, Monica spent years teaching legal technology.
She held roles as an adjunct and visiting professor at Osgoode Hall Law School. She also developed courses and led programs at the Institute of Future Law Practice. She also was formerly a lecturer at Lincoln Alexander Law School. In her current role within Briefly she works with lawyers and law firm staff on the training and use of legal AI solutions.
Her focus is clear. The next generation of lawyers must be ready for change.
“Legal tech can help bridge the gap,” she says. “But people need to understand how to use it.”
Her teaching reflects her career. It blends practical tools with big-picture thinking.
Leading AI Transformation in Legal Services
Monica’s current role at Briefly Legal puts her at the center of one of the biggest shifts in the legal industry: AI.
She leads enterprise AI transformation across four legal entities. Her work includes generative AI and workflow automation.
This is not just about tools. It is about changing how legal services are delivered.
“Little steps over a year can have a huge impact,” she says. “That’s how I approach long-term change.”
Her approach is structured. She sets long-term goals each year and works toward them daily.
This steady execution has helped her stay ahead in a fast-moving field.
Overcoming Barriers and Staying Focused
Monica is open about the challenges she has faced.
“I would say one of the biggest hurdles is my gender and ethnicity,” she says. “I just have to work hard and keep talking to people to break down those barriers.”
Like many leaders in emerging fields, she has also dealt with self-doubt.
“I’m plagued with self-doubt,” she admits. “I do lots of meditation. I focus on the positive and work with people who lift me up.”
She credits strong support systems and mentorship for helping her stay on track.
Measuring Success by Impact, Not Titles
For Monica, success is not about titles or milestones.
“It’s hard to measure,” she says. “I think it’s about impact. Anecdotal feedback and what you see changing.”
That mindset aligns with her broader mission. She wants to improve the legal system, not just work within it.
Her work in AI, education, and legal tech all point to the same goal: making legal services more accessible and efficient.
A Leader in a Changing Industry
Monica Goyal’s career reflects where the legal industry is going.
It is becoming more technical. More data-driven. More focused on access and efficiency.
She has helped shape that shift from the inside.
At the same time, she stays grounded in simple habits.
She sets goals. She works through them daily. She makes time for balance.
“It’s important to have both in life,” she says. “You can’t just work all the time.”
In an industry known for tradition, Monica continues to push forward.
Not by chasing trends. But by anticipating where technology and law are headed.
Read more:
Monica Goyal: Leading the Shift to AI in Law
