From software engineer to attorney to founder, discover how Tony Thai is transforming legal work by combining deep technical expertise with real-world legal practice experience.

Meet Tony Thai: The Engineer Lawyer Building the Future of Legal Work

Legal professionals are busier than ever. Yet too much of their time is still consumed by repetitive drafting, formatting, and document procedures that have not changed in decades. HyperDraft CEO and Chief Engineer Tony Thai experienced this problem firsthand—not only as an attorney but also as a software engineer. That unique blend of backgrounds led him to build a platform that gives attorneys more time for what matters: client service, strategy, and impactful legal thinking.

A Rare Professional Path: Engineer to Attorney to Founder

Before entering the legal field, Tony worked in enterprise software development, contributing to systems involving advanced automation and artificial intelligence. He later earned a Juris Doctor from USC Gould School of Law in 2014 and practiced as a corporate and mergers and acquisitions attorney in both law firms and technology companies.

These two worlds could not have felt more different. In software, he was used to advanced tooling, streamlined workflows, and automation. In law, he found many processes still driven by manual copying, formatting, and repetitive document drafting. He saw brilliant legal professionals routinely held back by inefficient tools.

The Origin of HyperDraft

That frustration became the spark for HyperDraft. Tony believed attorneys deserve better—and that legal work could be transformed through thoughtfully designed technology. He began designing tools that remove friction from drafting and contract workflows, allowing legal teams to generate high-quality work products faster and with more consistency.

Driven by the belief that legal professionals should not have to choose between speed and accuracy, Tony founded HyperDraft and stepped in as CEO while still leading engineering.

Mission: Free Lawyers From Busywork

Tony has been clear about his mission: increase leverage across legal teams so they can deliver exceptional value without increasing burnout.

HyperDraft achieves this by:

Automating document creation
Improving drafting workflows
Minimizing repetitive tasks that pull attorneys away from high-value legal strategy

Recognition and Continued Impact

Tony has quickly become a recognized voice in legal innovation. He was named a Fastcase 50 honoree for leadership in legal technology and continues shaping the conversation on how law can evolve with modern tooling.

Alongside his work at HyperDraft, Tony also serves as an adjunct professor at USC Gould School of Law, preparing the next generation of lawyers to thrive in a tech-enabled profession.

A Vision for the Future of Legal Practice

Tony believes the legal industry is still in the early stages of true digital transformation. He advocates for smarter automation and more accessible tools that improve the way legal teams of all sizes operate.

"Technology should not only reduce administrative burden but elevate the impact lawyers can have."

He sees a future where attorneys spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time on what they do best: solving complex legal problems, advising clients, and driving business outcomes.

Connect with Tony

Want to learn more about Tony's vision for the future of legal work?

Tony Thai is the CEO and Chief Engineer of HyperDraft, a Fastcase 50 honoree, and adjunct professor at USC Gould School of Law.