Referent

Overview

Referent is practice-management software for solo lawyers and small firms that uses AI agents to handle recurring administrative work. Its appeal is a division of labor that keeps lawyers responsible for consequential steps; its private beta makes access a practical first hurdle.

AI Lawtech Sp. z o.o. has been building AI legal technology since 2022. Referent brings intake, matter administration, email, deadlines, billing preparation, and follow-ups into an agent-assisted workflow. It is not an accounting system, so firms needing full accounting should look elsewhere or retain a separate product.

Key features

Intake and matter setup

The intake workflow screens inquiries, opens matters, and prepares engagement materials for lawyer approval. Intake forms are supported. This links initial inquiries to follow-on administration, while leaving review of engagement materials with the lawyer.

Email, voice, and oversight

Once an inbox is connected, Referent files emails, attachments, and context to the relevant matter. Users can also direct work by voice and have agents carry it out. Client-facing and other high-risk actions require explicit lawyer approval, and an audit trail records every action. That approval model is a meaningful safeguard, though it still calls for lawyer attention at critical points rather than fully autonomous practice management.

Connections, mobile, and data safeguards

Referent works with Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive. Outlook and Microsoft 365 are marked as coming soon, so firms dependent on those connections should account for that limitation. Its MCP server connects with ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Hermes, Gemini, OpenClaw, and other compatible apps. iPhone and Android apps let lawyers review agent work, approve actions, and check matters.

Data is hosted on Google Cloud Platform with US and EU regional residency, AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS 1.2 or higher in transit, encrypted backups, and separate workspaces for each firm. Referent says it does not train AI models on client or matter data and has zero-retention, no-training agreements with model providers. SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are in preparation, not certifications. Customers can export their data, and Referent says deletion removes it without shadow copies or training archives.

Pricing

Referent uses a freemium model and offers a free plan at 0.00 USD per free, with AI usage included and no credit card required. The plan includes intake forms and mobile app access, making it a low-commitment way to assess whether agent-assisted administration fits a solo or small firm. A free trial is also offered. No paid plan prices or terms are provided, so firms evaluating a larger deployment should expect custom pricing rather than assume the free plan will cover their needs.

Platforms

Referent is available on Android, iOS, and the web. The mobile apps focus on checking matters and reviewing or approving agent work, so they complement rather than replace the broader practice workflow.

Who it's for

Referent is best suited to solo practitioners and small law firms interested in delegating routine administration to agents without giving up lawyer approval of sensitive actions. It is a weaker fit for firms that need an accounting system, require Outlook or Microsoft 365 integrations immediately, or need a product they can adopt without invitation-only access.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Agents cover several administrative tasks: Intake, matter work, email filing, deadlines, billing preparation, and follow-ups are addressed in one practice-management concept.
• Lawyer approval is built into sensitive actions: Explicit sign-off and an action audit trail give lawyers oversight of client-facing and high-risk work.
• Free access includes useful capabilities: The free plan includes AI usage, intake forms, and mobile app access without requiring a credit card.
• Data protections are clearly defined: Regional hosting, encryption, workspace isolation, and no-training commitments address key confidentiality concerns, although certifications remain in preparation.

Cons

• Access is invitation-only: Firms may not be able to start using the product when they are ready to evaluate it.
• It does not replace accounting software: Billing preparation is not a complete accounting system.
• Some Microsoft connections are not ready: Outlook and Microsoft 365 are marked as coming soon.
• Formal certifications are not yet in place: SOC 2 and ISO 27001 are still in preparation.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Legal CRM Software. Firms that prefer established paid products or need different practice workflows can also consider:

• Actionstep is a paid Android and iOS option with matter and case management, client intake and forms, and document management; it suits firms seeking those capabilities rather than Referent's AI-agent focus.
• CosmoLex is a paid Android, iOS, and web product with a free trial. Its Launch plan is 49.00 USD per month, billed monthly, per user, and includes time tracking, invoicing, online payments, and trust accounting; choose it when accounting and ledgers are priorities.
• Nexl CRM offers custom pricing and a personalized demo across Android, iOS, web, and an extension; it is an option for firms evaluating a paid CRM instead.
• Lawmatics has a free trial and an Essential plan covering 500 contacts, intake, lead management, calendaring, forms, e-signature, SMS, and tasks. It is a better match when lead and client acquisition workflows are the priority.
• TimeSolv offers time and expense tracking, reporting, and support in its Pro plan, with web, desktop, and mobile platforms; consider it when time and financial productivity tracking matter more than agent-led administration.
• Senitix CRM has a free web plan for up to 2 users, 1,000 contacts, 1,000 leads, 250 deals, one pipeline, and 0.5 GB of file storage per workspace. It is a practical alternative for a small team wanting explicit CRM caps and a free tier.
• CRMforLaw is a web-based paid option with a free plan. Its Launch plan costs 89.00 USD per month for 2 seats, a shared AI credit wallet, and 5 starting credits; consider it when a defined seat count and AI credit allowance are preferable.
• CasePeer is a paid web and API product whose Basic plan costs 79.00 USD per month per user and includes case and contact management, tasks, a client portal, statute alerts, medical treatment tracking, and unlimited documents; it may suit firms seeking those case-management tools.

Verdict

Referent is worth considering for solo lawyers and small firms that want agents to take on recurring practice administration while lawyers retain approval over consequential work. Its free plan lowers the barrier to evaluation, but invitation-only access, unfinished Microsoft integrations, and the absence of full accounting make it a poor choice for firms that need immediate broad availability or a complete financial system.