Meet Lawrence Blackmon and Roger Roman, two African American entrepreneurs who both graduated from Howard University, and are now the founders of LegalEase, a Black‑owned justice‑tech startup that uses AI to help people discover expungement eligibility and file court petitions in roughly five minutes—no attorney required.
The service is already open statewide in Mississippi, with Illinois and the DC/Maryland corridor to be added later this fall. The platform will continue rolling out state‑by‑state until it is available nationwide within 18 months.
70 million Americans carry criminal records that hinder employment and housing. Expungement.ai replaces a months‑long, high‑cost process with a conversational experience delivered through voice, web chat, or SMS text.
“Too many neighbors have waited years for a second chance,” said Blackmon. “By letting folks call, click, or text their way to a clean slate, we’re proving that equal justice can scale—from Jackson today to every zip code in America tomorrow.”
“Clearing a record should be as routine as paying a bill online,” Roman added. “Text Wilma, get your answer, file the paperwork, and move forward. When a five‑minute chat opens doors across the country, the system is finally working for everyone.”
Key features:
• Nationwide roll‑out plan—Mississippi live today; additional states every quarter with full U.S. coverage targeted for early 2027.
• Multi‑channel access—phone, web chat, and SMS—meeting users wherever they are.
• Real‑time eligibility checks by Wilma, an AI guide trained on each state’s statutes.
• Two plan options—DIY filing at $150 or full‑service concierge at $500.
• Docket‑level tracking from submission to judicial approval.
• “Expungement Express” community clinics begin this September
About LegalEase
LegalEase turns complex legal hurdles into simple, conversation‑based workflows. Headquartered in Canton, Miss., the company is committed to processing one million expungements by 2030 and building additional AI tools that let everyday Americans handle non‑complex legal matters with confidence and dignity. Learn more at LegalEase.com
About the Founders
Lawrence Blackmon, a Mississippi State Representative, is an HBCU graduate of Howard University with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, a J.D. from Mississippi College, as well as an LLM from George Washington University. His dad, Edward Blackmon, is also an HBCU graduate of Tougaloo College and has been a practicing lawyer in Mississippi for the past 40 years.
Roger Roman also graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and African American Studies. He is a two-time tech founder, investor, ecosystem builder, and a recipient of the Google Black Founders Fund. He currently serves on the board of Starting With Today, a Black mental wellness nonprofit based in the Washington, D.C. area.
For press inquiries or media interview requests, contact info@legalease.law or 323-394-8201.