Technology has redefined how we think about building, innovating, and delivering legal services. In Season 10, Episode 6 of “Notes to My (Legal) Self,” Brittany Hernandez, head of legal innovation at Gavel, shared her unique journey from military service to law school and, ultimately, to becoming a champion of no-code platforms. Her story is a testament to how diverse experiences can culminate in groundbreaking legal innovation.

Here’s a deep dive into how no-code platforms empower lawyers to innovate, transform, and expand access to justice.

From Alaska To Legal Innovation

Brittany’s path to law and legal tech began with an unconventional foundation: serving in the military. Stationed in Puerto Rico and Alaska, she learned the importance of adaptability, perseverance, and achieving goals in environments where she didn’t always feel she fit. These lessons prepared her to navigate the high-pressure world of law and later, the transformative space of legal technology.

Law school offered its own challenges, but Brittany credits her military background for her ability to compartmentalize stress and maintain perspective. “Reading cases isn’t life or death,” she joked, “but it’s the foundation for helping people protect what matters to them.”

What Is No-Code?

For the uninitiated, no-code platforms enable users to build applications, automations, and workflows without needing to write code. Brittany describes it as “software democratization,” allowing anyone with a vision to create intuitive, functional tools. Whether it’s automating document creation, developing client portals, or launching public-facing products, no-code platforms like Gavel empower lawyers to innovate without technical expertise.

How Lawyers Are Using No-Code Tools

Brittany shared two primary ways lawyers are leveraging no-code tools:

Internal Automation. Lawyers can create workflows to automate repetitive tasks. For example, an estate planning attorney might design a system to generate wills, power of attorney documents, and HIPAA authorizations with just a few clicks. By integrating with tools like Clio, these workflows pull existing client data, reducing manual entry and streamlining processes.
Client-Facing Products. Lawyers are building products that clients can access directly, such as DIY solutions for divorce or estate planning. Platforms like HelloDivorce, which use Gavel’s infrastructure, allow clients to complete forms and generate court-ready documents independently, all while maintaining professional oversight.

The Power Of Client Portals

Client portals represent another frontier of no-code innovation. By allowing clients to store, update, and manage their data securely, lawyers can reduce repetitive work and create a more seamless client experience. These portals enable data persistence, so clients don’t have to re-enter information multiple times, saving time and reducing errors.

Practical Steps To Start Innovating

Brittany offered actionable advice for lawyers curious about no-code tools:

Start Small. Many platforms, including Gavel, offer free trials or entry-level options. These allow lawyers to experiment without financial commitment.
Take a Guided Approach. Resources like Brittany’s Chromium Academy provide free exercises and courses to help users build their first automations. These hands-on experiences can demystify the process and build confidence.

“Start with something simple,” Brittany advised. “Pick a task you do frequently and see if you can automate it. The tools are here, and the possibilities are endless.”

The Broader Impact Of No-Code Innovation

Brittany emphasized that no-code platforms aren’t just about efficiency — they’re about expanding access to justice. Legal innovation can democratize services, offering affordable solutions to individuals and businesses who might otherwise go unserved.

Access to justice isn’t just about serving the indigent. “Even middle-class families and small businesses often struggle to afford legal help,” Brittany noted. “No-code tools let lawyers reach these underserved groups while maintaining profitability.”

The Future Is Now

Brittany closed with a powerful reminder: the future of legal tech is already here. Lawyers who embrace no-code platforms today will be at the forefront of transforming the profession. “These tools give lawyers superpowers,” she said. “They make it possible to build the future — not tomorrow, but right now.”

For more insights and inspiration, watch the full episode of Notes to My (Legal) Self.

P.S.: You don’t need coding skills to build something extraordinary—just a vision and the courage to start.

Olga V. Mack is a Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat, Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security, and Blockchain Value: Transforming Business Models, Society, and Communities. She is working on three books: Visual IQ for Lawyers (ABA 2024), The Rise of Product Lawyers: An Analytical Framework to Systematically Advise Your Clients Throughout the Product Lifecycle (Globe Law and Business 2024), and Legal Operations in the Age of AI and Data (Globe Law and Business 2024). You can follow Olga on LinkedIn and Twitter @olgavmack.

The post Rapid-Development Platforms For Lawyers: A Conversation With Brittany Hernandez appeared first on Above the Law.