Monica Goyal Focuses on Embedding Ethical AI Practices Into Daily Legal Work

Monica Goyal, VP of Legal Innovation at Caravel Law and Briefly Legal in Toronto, announces a public commitment to responsible AI adoption, transparency, and access to justice through seven concrete daily behaviors.

Why a Personal Pledge Matters Now

Toronto, Ontario, Jul 13, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE - Monica Goyal believes the legal profession is at a turning point. AI tools are spreading rapidly across law firms and legal departments, but the conversation has focused too much on speed and too little on responsibility.

"I want to make a difference to the profession but also impact to society through my work," Goyal said. "I really do feel like legal tech could help to bridge the gap for people who cannot afford legal services currently."

With over a decade at the intersection of law and technology, Goyal has seen firsthand how early adoption can reshape entire fields. She founded My Legal Briefcase, a legal tech platform that served over 500 users, and built Aluvion Law with the goal of making legal services more affordable and accessible. Now, as VP of Legal Innovation at Caravel Law and Briefly Legal, she leads enterprise AI transformation across four legal entities.

"In the area that I work in, legal innovation, to be successful, you need to be able to understand both the law, legal industry (business of law) and technology," she said. That interdisciplinary foundation shapes her approach to AI adoption: practical, deliberate, and focused on impact beyond efficiency.

The Core Reasoning Behind the Pledge

Goyal is motivated by a belief that incremental, consistent action produces lasting change.

"I have long term goals that I have developed every year, and then I just prioritize or try to chip through those every day," she said. "Little steps over a year can have huge impact."

She also acknowledges the mental weight of working in a fast-moving field. "I'm plagued with self-doubt. I do lots of meditation. I try to focus on the positive and work with people who try to lift me up then tear me down."

That vulnerability informs her commitment to balance. "I can really work too much," she admitted. "It's important to have both in life."

Goyal has faced obstacles throughout her career, particularly as a woman of color in legal tech. "One of the biggest hurdles is my gender and ethnicity," she said. "I just have to work hard and continue to talk to people to break down those barriers."

Those experiences inform her conviction that AI adoption must be intentional, transparent, and oriented toward access to justice, not just productivity.

Three Daily Commitments

Goyal has translated her values into seven specific personal behaviors:

1. Continuous Learning and Awareness: Dedicating regular time to staying informed on AI ethics, regulatory changes, and emerging risks in legal technology.

2. Knowledge Sharing and Mentorship: Sharing practical insights and lessons learned about technology with colleagues, students, and the wider legal community to promote industry-wide education.

3. Expanding Access to Justice: Active involvement in exploring how AI and innovation can lower barriers to legal services for underserved populations.

Context: Legal AI Adoption Accelerates

Caravel Law received the LexisNexis Canada Award for Best Use of Technology In a Law Firm in both 2023, 2025 and 2026, reflecting the firm's sustained investment in innovation. Goyal's platform, My Legal Briefcase, reached more than 500 users before she transitioned to her current role.

Her work in legal education includes teaching Critical Approaches to Data, Algorithm, and Science in the Law at Lincoln Alexander Law School and previously teaching the first legal technology course of its kind in Canada at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Goyal has been recognized as one of the ABA Ten Women to Watch in Legal Tech, a Fastcase 50 Recipient in 2017, and a recipient of the Women in Legal Tech Award. She has been nominated multiple times for Changemaker Awards by Canadian Lawyer Magazine and serves on its editorial board.

Do-It-Yourself: A Responsible AI Toolkit

Anyone working with AI in law or other professional fields can take these foundational steps without paying for external services:

Audit Your Data Privacy and Terms of Service

Before pasting any text or document into an AI tool, read its terms of service and privacy policy. Pay close attention to data retention policies, where your data is stored, and whether the provider uses your inputs to train future models.

- Why it matters: In professional fields, uploading client data, proprietary research, or confidential briefs without checking these terms can lead to severe data leaks or ethical breaches.

- Actionable tip: Look specifically for an "opt-out" toggle in the settings of tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot, or look for enterprise versions that guarantee your data remains siloed and is never used for model training.

About Monica Goyal

Monica Goyal is VP of Legal Innovation at Caravel Law and Briefly Legal in Toronto, where she leads enterprise AI transformation, oversees AI product development, and manages contract automation systems. She holds a JD from the University of Toronto, an MS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, and a BASc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. She is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and Professional Engineers of Ontario. Goyal founded My Legal Briefcase, a legal tech platform that served over 500 users, and Aluvion Law, a firm focused on affordable legal services. She is former teacher at Lincoln Alexander Law School, andOsgoode Hall Law School.

This release was published on openPR.