Persistent context
The next workflow can use the connected matter record. The lawyer does not have to assemble the same background for each new request.
Matterbase is a project built to equip solo/small law firms to leverage AI for their entire business, not just legal work. Lawyer operators need practical infrastructure designed to integrate law firm operations with legal services.
Austin Young · Current Counsel
Most lawyers constantly fly between tech tools, collecting and updating information to make their work possible.
Label, copy, open tool, paste, record, file, attach, drag/drop, prompt, etc.
Most of today’s lawyers act as the integration layer for their practice. They carry the mental load and burden of aggregating and maintaining client/matter information across all of their software tools.
Lawyers cannot effectively delegate work to AI agents if they are performing this function. They should not have to draft a multi-paragraph prompt with five attachments in order to get quality output from AI tools.
An integration layer has two jobs: maintain complete context for client work, and carry supported actions back into the practice’s tools so that everything stays up to date and in sync.
Email, documents, matter activity, and supported records feed a queryable chronicle. Context derives from the connected record rather than a static profile someone must maintain.
Context persists across workflows.
Access stays scoped to the authorized matter.
The next workflow can use the connected matter record. The lawyer does not have to assemble the same background for each new request.
Selected workflows can label, file, create records, or return results to connected tools within defined permissions.
The firm owns its data and can evolve its tools and providers. Agents access supported capabilities; familiar legal artifacts such as Word remain part of the work.
Matterbase is a working project developed in Austin’s practice. Availability in other firms depends on supported integrations and deployment readiness.
Here are just a few examples that demonstrate how Matterbase streamlines a legal practice.
Follow the steps that turn an inquiry into an active matter. Matterbase connects intake, conflicts, and onboarding around the matter record, with the lawyer directing the process.
Small, repeatable operations are part of the foundation. This example explores automation around everyday practice tasks, using connected matter information and supported actions.
Connecting a tool is only part of the work. This example explores how the shared matter record gives a workflow relevant background, rather than requiring the lawyer to assemble that context again.
Explore agent-assisted work grounded in matter context. The lawyer assigns the work and reviews the result; Matterbase supplies the shared context and supported capabilities underneath it.
Leverage open source projects. Use open source/weight LLMs. Self-host and run your entire system locally. Matterbase provides the foundation.
Many lawyers can see the writing on the wall, but it is hard to know where to start. Let’s do it together.
Matterbase began in my own practice. I’m exploring how it could be useful to other lawyers and firms. Tell me what interests you, what you’re working on, and where you could use support.
I’m also considering leading a small cohort of lawyers learning and building together, with practical guidance and Matterbase as a starting point. If that interests you, or you have another direction in mind, I’d like to hear from you.