Meet Lawrence Blackmon and Roger Roman, two visionary entrepreneurs whose mission is to transform how Americans navigate the criminal justice system—starting with something many don’t even know they qualify for: expungement.
As graduates of Howard University, one of the country’s most prestigious historically Black colleges, Blackmon and Roman share more than a bond forged on campus. They’re now co-founders of LegalEase, a Black-owned justice-tech startup that is tackling one of the most persistent but under-addressed inequities in America: the barriers created by a criminal record.
Their flagship platform, Expungement.ai, is a conversational AI tool that helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for criminal record expungement and then guides them through filing petitions—all in less than five minutes. The process, which traditionally takes months and thousands of dollars in legal fees, is now available for a fraction of the cost and with no attorney required.
From Mississippi Roots to a National Mission
LegalEase launched its service in Mississippi, one of the most legally underserved states in the country. But their ambition doesn’t stop there. The platform is already preparing to expand to Illinois and the DC/Maryland corridor by fall, with a goal of being available in all 50 states within 18 months.
Their vision is bold yet grounded in hard facts: over 70 million Americans live with a criminal record that can severely limit access to housing, education, and employment. For many of them, expungement could offer a second chance—but only if they know about it and can afford the process.
“Too many neighbors have waited years for a second chance,” said Blackmon, who also serves as a Mississippi State Representative. “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.”
Roman adds, “Clearing a record should be as routine as paying a bill online. 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.”
How It Works
At the heart of the platform is Wilma, LegalEase’s AI-powered guide that’s been trained on the unique expungement statutes of each state. Wilma is available via phone, web chat, or SMS text, ensuring access for users across a range of digital literacy levels and technological comfort.
Users can choose between two plan options:
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$150 DIY Filing – Guided self-filing with automated document generation and instructions.
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$500 Full-Service Concierge – A white-glove experience that includes personalized support through the entire process.
Additional features include:
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Real-time eligibility checks based on individual case data
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Docket-level tracking from petition submission to final court approval
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A nationwide rollout plan with new states added quarterly through early 2027
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“Expungement Express” community clinics beginning in September to reach residents in underserved areas
Legal Empowerment, Not Just Legal Help
What makes LegalEase revolutionary isn’t just its use of technology—it’s the shift in power it represents. Instead of gatekeeping the law through costly consultations and paperwork, the platform puts legal tools directly into the hands of those who need them most.
Headquartered in Canton, Mississippi, the company is deeply rooted in Blackmon’s home state. His father, Edward Blackmon, is a longtime civil rights attorney and fellow HBCU graduate who has practiced law in Mississippi for over 40 years. Lawrence followed in those footsteps, earning a J.D. from Mississippi College and an LLM from George Washington University, before entering both public service and tech entrepreneurship.
Roger Roman brings a powerful complement to the team. A two-time tech founder, ecosystem builder, and recipient of the Google Black Founders Fund, Roman holds degrees in English and African American Studies from Howard. He also serves on the board of Starting With Today, a nonprofit promoting Black mental wellness in the DC area.
Together, Blackmon and Roman are not only founders of a startup, but stewards of a movement—one that blends tech, policy, and social equity into a model that could change lives at scale.
The Big Goal: 1 Million Expungements by 2030
LegalEase has set a bold target: to process 1 million expungements by the year 2030. But for Blackmon and Roman, this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about restoring dignity, removing barriers, and proving that justice tech can work for the many—not just the few.
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, LegalEase stands out not just for what it does, but who it’s for. It’s a platform built by people who understand the communities most affected by systemic injustice—and who are building tools not to replace lawyers, but to amplify access for those who’ve historically had the least.
In a time when criminal justice reform often stalls in politics, LegalEase moves forward in code—one petition, one chat, one second chance at a time.