Powering People-Law

Our name

‍Why Smokeball?

We're named after a case that gave power to everyday people.

Our founders chose a name that not only stands out but also carries a legacy from British legal history dating back to 1893. It comes from a legal case: Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Company, 1893. A company promised £100 to anyone who used their flu remedy, the "smoke ball," and still got sick. One customer did. She sued, and she won. The case became a cornerstone of contract law – proof that ordinary people can hold power to account.
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Our story

Our founders - Hunter, Jane, and Bart, spent decades in legal technology and saw how much time lawyers were losing to paperwork instead of people.

They built Smokeball to change that. By removing the busywork, lawyers can focus on helping clients through life's biggest moments.

That's why we're proud to be powering people-law.
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Meet the Team

2013

It started with a simple belief

Smokeball launched in Chicago with one purpose: give lawyers software that actually fit the way they practised. Built around matters, not spreadsheets. No workarounds. No compromises.

Man standing at a Smokeball booth with computer monitor displaying legal software interface.

2016

That belief crossed borders

We expanded to Australia, where firms were looking for the very same thing.

Group of diverse smiling people posing with flexed arms, orange and white balloons in background.

2023

Growing our impact

We opened our London office, bringing Smokeball and our belief that lawyers should have more time for people - to firms across the UK.

Two women in an office: one holds a large calendar, the other stands smiling by a desk with monitors.

2024

Technology got smarter

Archie arrived to take on repetitive work and help attorneys work with greater confidence.

Two men in white t-shirts with lanyards stand in front of a Smokeball AI Meet Archie booth at an event.

Today

Where we are now

With our brand new look. Smokeball is powering people-law.

Our manifesto

You didn’t choose this work for the glory. You chose it because better everyday lives sit on the other side of your effort. When life gets complicated, and homes, safety, families and futures are at stake, people-law binds communities.

But the system makes that much harder than it should be. Admin piles up. Chaos creeps in. The work that strengthens communities drains the people who can make the difference.

That’s where we show up. Born from the lived realities of a small people-law firm, it is named for the trial that gave power back to the people. All built on a simple belief that nice can finish first.

We create the software and AI that gives you back the hours and the headspace that allows you to make more impact. We don’t replace the human work, we boost the people who do it. We are a deeply embedded extension of your firm, we are your partner.

We cultivate a community of practitioners who look out for each other, and who look out for the people who need access to justice. From Spark to every forum, every story, every firm, we share openly, we learn together.

Smokeball is powering people-law.