From Wall Street to Upsolve: Jonathan Petts on scaling access to justice

In this episode of This Legal Life, Jonathan Petts, CEO of Upsolve, shares his unconventional journey from being fired by two Wall Street law firms to building a nonprofit that has helped erase over $1 billion in debt for low-income Americans. Through moments of personal failure, unexpected mentorship, and bold experimentation, Jonathan reveals how rethinking bankruptcy as a tool for economic mobility sparked a mission to scale access to justice. This conversation explores the realities of building in legal tech, the discipline of product focus, and how technology (especially AI) can unlock opportunity for millions who have historically gone unserved.

About Jonathan

Jonathan Petts is the co-founder and CEO of Upsolve, a nonprofit that helps low-income Americans file for bankruptcy without a lawyer. A Penn Law graduate with over 15 years of bankruptcy experience, his career spans clerkships with federal judges and associate roles at top New York firms before co-founding Upsolve in 2016. The platform has since helped more than 14,000 families discharge over $600 million in debt, and was recognized by Money as one of 50 innovations shaping America's finances in 2023.

Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn