Legal research tech company Fastcase, now owned by Clio, has filed a federal lawsuit against AI-powered legal research platform Alexi, alleging breach of contract, trademark infringement, and trade secret misappropriation related to licensed data use.
The complaint, filed Nov. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, claims Alexi converted a restricted data license into a competing commercial product, violating the terms of a December 2021 license agreement.
Background on the Data License Agreement
Fastcase alleges the license granted Alexi access to proprietary legal data strictly for internal research by Alexi’s staff attorneys. The agreement prohibited commercial use, competitive use, or distribution of the data.
Fastcase merged with vLex in 2023 and was acquired by Clio for $1 billion, marking a major transaction in legal technology.
The Dispute
According to the complaint, Alexi shifted its model in 2023 from lawyer-staffed research memos to a direct-to-consumer AI legal research platform, continuing to rely on Fastcase data. Fastcase cites public demonstrations and screenshots showing Alexi displaying case law and using Fastcase trademarks in its platform.
Alexi’s Response
Alexi CEO Mark Doble denies wrongdoing, attributing the lawsuit to a misunderstanding. He claims the company’s goal was always to fully automate research memos and asserts the agreement allowed use of Fastcase data for generative AI. Alexi received a Notice of Material Breach in October 2025 but responded denying any breach.
Legal Allegations
Fastcase alleges that Alexi:
- Breached the data license agreement.
- Misused Fastcase trademarks in interface and marketing.
- Misappropriated trade secrets.
Fastcase seeks declaratory judgment, permanent injunction, compensatory damages, and disgorgement of profits from unauthorized data use.
Case Status
- Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- Judge: Richard J. Leon
- Case Number: 1:25-cv-04159
- Fastcase Counsel: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Alexi hopes for a quick resolution, citing miscommunication across transitions from Fastcase to vLex and Clio.
