More people could get legal help as former DOJ attorneys Kanter and Mekki launch AI company for lawyers

A response to limited capacity

FluxCap was launched Wednesday by Kanter and Mekki, who previously led the Justice Department’s antitrust division under President Joe Biden. Mekki also worked at the department under Presidents Trump and Obama.

Kanter said his team could pursue roughly 10% of the cases it believed were worth bringing. He described staffing limits as a central obstacle, despite having highly capable lawyers.

Kanter said the cases the department could not bring weighed on him. The founders say their experience in government shaped the idea for the company.

Focused legal technology

The platform initially focuses on antitrust law, with plans to move into other legal fields. Its founders argue that specializing in one area at a time can make the system more capable and accurate than broad AI tools such as ChatGPT.

The company says the system can also help lawyers plan legal strategies, spot gaps in evidence and anticipate arguments from opponents. The founders stress that lawyers’ judgment remains essential.

A wider public benefit

Mekki said the potential value extends beyond helping antitrust teams work faster. She believes the technology could help lawyers serve the public more effectively. Mekki said lawyers have told the company they are excited about their work and able to take on tasks they had not thought possible. She said wider legal representation could improve access to economic justice for people seeking to recover marketplace losses. Kanter said FluxCap aims to help lawyers improve their work rather than perform the role of a lawyer itself.