Legal Innovation Zone – Celebrating 5 Years | Legal Innovation Zone

Five years ago we launched LIZ, the world’s first business incubator dedicated to legal tech at Ryerson University.  Our goal was to help build better legal solutions for consumers.  We have supported entrepreneurs, helped public and private bodies advance their agenda of change, and challenged a justice approach that serves fewer and fewer of the people and businesses as effectively as it must. As we take a moment to reflect, while social distancing in the middle of a global pandemic, we can be both pleased at how far we have come, and yet determined to move even further and faster.

The pandemic has laid bare the systemic failings of so much of our justice system.  The failure to keep consumers at the centre, combined with the refusal to change what so clearly doesn’t work, combined to create a system that served about 20% of the legal needs of people and businesses before the pandemic.  Now, even many of the 20% are being denied the justice they have a right to.

Far from being pessimistic, however, our journey makes us optimistic that the consumers’ right to justice is within reach.   We just need to move, or get around, those who refuse to change.  If all legal consumers could benefit from the ideas, products and approaches that are now available or being developed, let alone those that will be, most consumer justice needs would be met.  We need to take down artificial barriers and outdated restrictions.

We have had the privilege of working with so many entrepreneurs who relentlessly pursue a dream.  You are a source of inspiration, and we are pleased for your success.  We have seen tradition-bound organizations pursue a different path, and are encouraged by your willingness to try.  We have been energized by innovative leaders from across Canada and throughout the world, and have used that energy to help others take the first step. Throughout it all, we have been delighted to work with a strong, capable, friendly LIZ family.   We have accomplished a lot together.

What a journey!  We look forward to the next 5 years.

Happy Birthday LIZ.  Thank you to all.

Chris Bentley and Hersh Perlis

We love this video.  Take a look, enjoy, and then read more of the year by year highlights:

2015-2016 The LIZ Opens 

2016-2017 Growing our Presence 

2017-2018 Family Law Reform begins 

2018-2019 Incubation Numbers Increase

2019-Present LIZ Goes Global