Toronto-based legal innovation leader Monica Goyal highlights how AI can help bridge the justice gap and improve access to legal support.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / April 13, 2026 / As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries worldwide, Monica Goyal, VP of Legal Innovation at Caravel Law, is calling for greater awareness around how AI can be used to improve access to legal services.

With millions of individuals unable to afford traditional legal support, Goyal believes the conversation around AI in law must shift beyond efficiency and toward impact.

"I want to make a difference to the profession," Goyal said. "But also create impact for people who can't afford legal services. Legal tech has the potential to help bridge that gap."

According to the World Justice Project, more than 5 billion people globally lack meaningful access to justice, while in North America, studies show that over 50% of legal needs go unmet due to cost or complexity. These gaps continue to grow as legal systems struggle to keep up with demand.

Goyal, who has spent over a decade working at the intersection of law and technology, believes AI can play a key role in addressing these challenges. Her work includes leading enterprise AI transformation initiatives and developing tools that simplify legal workflows and improve accessibility.

"In the area that I work in, legal innovation, you need to understand both the law and the business of law, as well as the technology," she said. "That combination is what allows real change to happen."

Goyal's journey began in engineering before she transitioned into law, giving her a unique perspective on how systems can be redesigned. As the founder of My Legal Briefcase, an early legal tech platform, she was already working on access-driven solutions long before the current AI wave.

"Building in legal tech before it was mainstream showed me how big the gap really is," she said. "There are so many people who need help but don't know where to start."

Today, as generative AI and large language models gain traction, Goyal emphasizes that awareness and education are critical.

"People need to understand what these tools can do," she said. "Even small steps over time can lead to meaningful change."

Her advocacy also extends to education. As a lecturer in legal technology, she works with future lawyers to help them understand how innovation can improve both the profession and client outcomes.

"Legal tech is not just about making things faster," she said. "It's about making services more accessible and more inclusive."

Despite the opportunities, Goyal acknowledges the challenges many face when entering or navigating this evolving field.

"One of the biggest hurdles I've faced is my gender and ethnicity," she said. "You have to keep showing up, keep having conversations, and keep pushing forward."

She also speaks openly about the importance of mindset and resilience.

"I'm plagued with self-doubt," she said. "I focus on the positive and surround myself with people who lift me up. That makes a big difference."

As part of her call to action, Goyal encourages individuals to take simple, independent steps to better understand the role of AI in legal services and beyond. This includes staying informed, exploring emerging tools, and engaging in conversations about how technology can be used responsibly.

"It's not about doing everything at once," she said. "Little steps over time can have a huge impact."

She also stresses the importance of balance in a fast-changing environment.

"You need both," she said. "You can't just work all the time. It's important to step back and think about the bigger picture."

As AI continues to evolve, Goyal's message remains focused: technology should not only transform industries but also expand opportunity.

"Success is about impact," she said. "It's about what changes because of the work you do."

About Monica Goyal

Monica Goyal is a Toronto-based VP of Legal Innovation at Caravel Law and a dual-qualified engineer and lawyer. She holds a JD from the University of Toronto and a Master's in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Goyal was the founder of My Legal Briefcase and Aluvion Law and has been recognized as one of the ABA's Ten Women to Watch in Legal Tech and a Fastcase 50 recipient. She teaches legal technology and focuses on AI transformation, legal innovation, and improving access to justice through technology.

Contact: Info@monica-goyal.com

SOURCE: Monica Goyal