The legal industry is not known for moving quickly. But Monica Goyal built her career doing just that.
She sits at the intersection of law and technology. And for more than a decade, she has helped move the legal field toward a more modern, accessible future.
Today, as VP of Legal Innovation at Briefly Legal, she leads enterprise AI transformation for multiple legal entities. But her path to this role was anything but traditional.
“I work in legal innovation,” she says. “To be successful, you have to understand both the law and the technology behind it.”
From Engineering to Law: A Non-Traditional Path
Monica Goyal didn’t start her career with the idea of becoming a legal innovator.
She grew up in Toronto and initially studied engineering. She earned a BASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. She then completed her master’s degree in electrical engineering at Stanford University.
This technical foundation would later shape her entire career.
After studying engineering, she made a change. She completed her law degree at the University of Toronto and was admitted to the bar in 2009. She also earned her license as a professional engineer.
This dual background gave her a unique advantage.
“I have always worked between two worlds,” she explains. “That’s where I found the most opportunities.”
The construction of legal tech started early, before it became popular
Before legal tech became a buzzword, Monica was already building in this area.
In 2010 she founded My Legal Briefcase. Back then, 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 over 5,000 users. The focus was on improving access to legal tools and services.
She later founded Aluvion Law and ran her own law firm focusing on business and technology law.
These experiences gave her a deep understanding of both legal transactions and the limitations of traditional systems.
“I wanted to change my career,” she says. “But also create impact for people who can’t afford legal services.”
Teaching and shaping the next generation of lawyers
For years, in addition to building companies, Monica worked as a legal technology lecturer.
She has served 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 was also previously a lecturer at Lincoln Alexander Law School. In her current role at Briefly, she works with attorneys and law firm staff to train and use legal AI solutions.
Your focus is clear. The next generation of lawyers must be ready for change.
“Legal tech can help close this gap,” she says. “But people need to understand how to use it.”
Her teaching reflects her career. It combines practical tools with holistic thinking.
Leading AI transformation in legal services
Monica’s current role at Briefly Legal puts her at the center of one of the biggest changes in the legal industry: AI.
She leads enterprise AI transformation across four legal entities. Her work includes generative AI and workflow automation.
It’s not just about tools. It’s about changing the way legal services are delivered.
“Small steps over the course of a year can have a big impact,” she says. “This is how I approach long-term change.”
Your approach is structured. She sets long-term goals every year and works on them every day.
This consistent implementation has helped her stay ahead in a fast-moving field.
Overcome barriers and stay focused
Monica speaks openly about the challenges she 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 struggles with self-doubt.
“I am plagued by self-doubt,” she admits. “I meditate a lot. I focus on the positive and work with people who build me up.”
She credits strong support systems and mentorship with helping her stay on the right path.
Measure success based on 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 the changes you see.”
This mindset is consistent with their broader mission. She wants to improve the legal system, not just work in it.
Their work in AI, education and legal technology all share 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 heading.
It’s getting more technical. More data-driven. Greater focus on access and efficiency.
She helped shape this change from within.
At the same time, it remains anchored in simple habits.
She sets goals. She works through them every day. She takes time for balance.
“It’s important to have both in life,” she says. “You can’t work all the time.”
In an industry known for its tradition, Monica continues to push forward.
Not by following trends. But by anticipating where technology and law are developing.
