How I built Definely: ex-Freshfields lawyer Nnamdi Emelifeonwu on building one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech companies
In this episode, we speak with Nnamdi Emelifeonwu, a former Freshfields associate and now co-founder of Definely - one of the UK’s most exciting legal tech companies.
Nnamdi traces his journey building a legal career at a Magic Circle firm and ultimately leaving it all behind to solve a problem he first encountered while working alongside his visually impaired colleague Feargus MacDaeid who would become his co-founder.
Nnamdi shares the story of how he and Feargus turned an initial prototype into a Microsoft Word plug-in - and eventually a fast-growing platform now used by over 100 corporate customers like BT and JPMorgan, and law firm giants including A&O Shearman, Cravath and Milbank.
He discusses the steep learning curve of becoming a founder without a technical background, the early product iterations and how the startup found its first champions at firms like A&O and clients like Deloitte. He also opens up about the realities of startup life: fundraising, cash flow pressure, making hiring mistakes, and learning to let go of perfectionism - particularly as a lawyer-turned-founder.
With Definely now backed by $7 million in Series A funding from Octopus Ventures and expanding into the US, Nnamdi reflects on the changing role of lawyers in the age of AI and why the future of the profession depends on embracing legal tech. He also offers candid advice for lawyers considering a move into entrepreneurship, including the importance of resilience, self-belief and maintaining a growth mindset.
Chapters
00:45 Journey into Law: Early Influences and Aspirations
03:29 Training at Freshfields: The Big Law Experience
06:23 The Birth of Definely: Identifying a Problem
09:29 Building the First Prototype: A Solution for Accessibility
12:38 From Idea to Startup: The Entrepreneurial Leap
15:26 Securing Initial Funding: The First Angel Investment
18:38 Developing the Product: Iteration and Feedback
21:35 Gaining Traction: Signing First Customers
23:34 Navigating Early Challenges: Building Relationships with Clients
26:25 Leveraging Legal Expertise: Understanding User Needs
29:57 The Importance of Fundraising in Entrepreneurship
34:36 Shifting Mindsets: From Lawyer to Entrepreneur
36:55 Evolution of the Product: From Definitions to Comprehensive Solutions
39:20 Business Model and Customer Base: Focusing on B2B
42:21 Growth Metrics and Future Vision
44:18 Navigating Competition in Legal Tech
49:02 The Role of AI in the Future of Law
52:49 Challenges and Advice for Transitioning to Legal Tech
55:40 Learning from Mistakes: Hiring and Industry Insights
