The creator economy is on track to become a half-trillion-dollar industry by 2027, but its rapid growth has exposed a critical gap: outdated, overpriced legal services that fail to meet the fast-paced needs of creators.
While many influencers and companies turn to generic AI tools like ChatGPT for contract redlining as an affordable workaround, these tools often lack the nuance needed to handle the complex legal challenges of the content economy. The result? Creators left vulnerable to avoidable risks.
Chelsey Mori, founder of Unbound Legal, is tackling this challenge head-on. Leveraging cutting-edge AI and her expertise in the content economy, Mori is on a mission to deliver legal solutions that are accessible, scalable, and tailored for creators and the professionals who support them.
AI for Contract Review
"The reality is, many creators are drafting and redlining contracts on their own. Our job is to meet them where they are and provide tools that offer real protection and tailored guidance," Mori explains.
To meet this need, Mori, in partnership with legal AI platform Pincites, is launching a first-of-its-kind DIY legal tool: Creator Economy AI Playbooks. These agreement-specific playbooks are trained on curated libraries of attorney-negotiated contracts, covering everything from brand sponsorships to licensing and streaming deals.
Using a Word extension, subscribers can scan contracts in seconds, automatically flag risks, apply AI-suggested revisions, and access tailored legal language optimized for content creators. For additional clarity, users can chat with the tool directly to ask questions about the terms of their agreements in plain language.
"Creators shouldn't have to choose between expensive legal help and generic AI," Mori explains. "These playbooks offer affordable, expert-level protections without the need for a law degree or costly legal retainers." By offering professional-grade tools in an affordable, consumer-friendly format, Mori provides a practical solution for creators to protect their businesses without breaking the bank.
AI for the Billable Hour
At the heart of Mori's vision is a complete rejection of the traditional billable-hour system—a model that prioritizes time spent over results delivered.
In Big Law, associates are required to hit grueling billable hour quotas to keep their jobs and qualify for standard bonuses. "When I worked in Big Law, I was encouraged to always be billing, even if I thought about a matter while brushing my teeth," Mori recalls. This approach creates a system where not all billable time is quality time. Clients end up paying for inefficiency, while attorneys burn out chasing arbitrary numbers instead of delivering meaningful results.
Unbound Legal takes a modern approach, listing transparent pricing models directly on its website.
Mori offers unlimited in-house counsel subscriptions for ongoing support. For clients who still prefer traditional hourly billing, Mori's rate is less than half of what a first-year Big Law associate charges—making premium legal services accessible to creators and small businesses alike.
"My goal is to eliminate billable hours entirely," Mori says. "Flat-rate subscriptions allow me to stay deeply involved with my clients' businesses, acting as a true partner rather than just a service provider or a fire extinguisher."
Unbound Legal also incorporates AI-powered tools from YC alumni PointOne to automate timekeeping and ensure precise billing. This eliminates subjective estimates and the controversial practice of "value billing," where firms charge based on perceived value rather than actual work performed.
By reimagining pricing and leveraging AI, Mori is delivering legal services that are efficient, transparent, and aligned with the fast-moving creator economy.
AI for Communication
Building on her innovative approach, Mori transforms the client experience with AI tools designed to make legal services approachable and user-friendly. On the firm's website, clients can interact with a digital replica of Mori, powered by Sensay.io and HeyGen. Mori's clone answers questions and simplifies the process of navigating legal services.
"These tools make legal services more accessible and feel less intimidating," Mori explains. "For many clients in the creator economy, traditional law firms feel out of touch and overwhelming. My goal is to create a firm that's approachable, transparent, and tech-forward." True to this philosophy, Mori manages her practice from a VR headset, underscoring her commitment to innovation and efficiency.
"Unbound Legal strives to change how creators and entrepreneurs work with their lawyers," Mori explains. "It's about being affordable, efficient, and, most importantly, approachable."
By integrating AI, rejecting outdated billing models, and prioritizing meaningful client relationships, Mori is proving that the future of law isn't just faster and smarter—it's more human.
Learn More
To learn how Chelsey Mori and Unbound Legal are redefining legal services with AI-powered innovation, visit unbound.legal.
