A home for attorney-to-attorney referrals

Some context: in the U.S., when an attorney can’t take a case (it’s outside their practice area or their state), they refer the client to another attorney and share the fee. Referrals are a major source of new business for law firms, yet they still happen over phone calls, emails and texts, and nobody really knows where a case stands once it changes hands.

Problem
Referrals were scattered across channels, with no visibility, no status and no record of who owed what.
Solution
A mobile app where attorneys find the right partner, send and accept referrals, and follow each case to the end.
My role
I shaped the product idea, interviewed attorneys, designed the whole app on my own, and led the 6 developers who built it, coding alongside them.
  • 4 monthsfrom idea to the App Store
  • 6developers led
  • 1designer: me, end to end

Goals

What the app had to do

  1. Simplify the referral workflowCreate a clear and intuitive process for attorneys to review and manage referral opportunities.
  2. Improve visibility and organizationMake it easier for attorneys to understand where their cases stand, what actions are required, and what is happening next.
  3. Create a connected experienceBring networking, case discovery and case management together into a single platform instead of relying on multiple disconnected tools.
  4. Design for adoptionKeep the experience straightforward so attorneys can focus on opportunities and relationships rather than learning a complex system.
Four Case Connector screens: home with a suggested case, an attorney profile, case details with the referral fee, and case management

Research

Two sides of every referral

I interviewed attorneys and met weekly with Trial Lawyers University. Every referral has two people with different needs: the attorney who sends the case and the one who takes it.

Persona 1Case PosterRefers cases out
“I need to delegate cases I can’t or shouldn’t take—and still know my client is in good hands.”

Pain points

  • Hard to find reliable attorneys to refer to
  • Unclear referral-fee ethics (ABA + state rules)
  • Slow, manual hand-offs over calls and email

What we built

  • Verified attorneys: bar license + ID check
  • Pre-approved, ethical fee guidelines
  • AI-suggested fees by case type
Persona 2Case BidderTakes cases in
“I want quality cases that fit my practice—without paying for leads that go nowhere.”

Pain points

  • High marketing costs (PPC, SEO, lead gen)
  • Low-quality leads from third-party vendors
  • Leads already shared with other firms

What we built

  • Client details unlocked once a bid wins
  • Standardized case summaries
  • Uploads for reports, medical notes and photos

Market

From problems to product

  • Referral process is slow, informal, and unreliableCentralized, transparent referral marketplace
  • Ethical confusion around referral feesBuilt-in compliance engine based on ABA rules
  • High cost per leadBid-based model for case acquisition
  • Low-quality or duplicated leadsVerified cases with documentation
  • Lack of trust between attorneysRatings, history, reviews, and identity verification
  • Difficulty organizing delegation workflowDashboard with tracking + notifications
  • Fear of harming client relationshipSecure, structured client-transition path

Architecture

How the app is organized

Networking, case discovery and case management, usually spread across tools, live in one connected app.

  • Sign Up
    • Home
      • My Profile
        • Profile Settings
          • Languages
          • Verifications
          • Video Introduction
          • Biography
          • Education
          • Experience
        • Account Settings
        • Dashboard
        • Logout
      • My Cases
        • Case Status
          • Chat
        • Payments
          • Dashboard
      • Dashboard
        • Cases in Progress
        • In Review
        • Payments
          • Withdrawal
        • Weekly/Monthly Summary
      • Home
        • My Network
        • Find Cases
          • Apply
          • Save
          • Case Overview
          • Ask Question/Chat
        • Notifications
        • My Cases
          • Listed Cases
          • Chat
        • Payments
          • Dashboard

Trusted Connections.

Your Professional Network, Upgraded.

View on the App StoreGet in touch with me
Case Connector home screen

Delivery

Built in 7 phases, in 4 months

I planned the build with the team in two-week phases, each ending in a working deliverable reviewed in our weekly meetings.

  1. 01
    Foundation & Core Setup

    Establish the technical foundation and core structure of the app.

  2. 02
    Profile & Account Features

    Navigable app with functional authentication and core structure in place. Fully editable and functional user profiles.

  3. 03
    Cases & Network (User Side)

    Users can discover, save, apply to, and interact with cases.

  4. 04
    Dashboard & Case Status

    Functional dashboard with clear case status and summaries.

  5. 05
    Payments & Withdrawals

    End-to-end payments and withdrawals.

  6. 06
    Refinement & UX Improvements

    A smoother, more polished app experience.

  7. 07
    Final Testing & Launch Preparation

    Launch-ready MVP.

Outcome

Launched on the App Store

In 4 months, Case Connector went from an idea to a launch-ready app on the App Store: attorneys can find the right partner, refer cases with clear and compliant fees, and follow every case to the end, sponsored and validated by Trial Lawyers University along the way.

View on the App Store
Lock screen showing Case Connector notifications. Stay connected to your cases, wherever you are: receive real-time updates on referrals, approvals, and case activity.