# Raad Ahmed

> Raad Ahmed is the founder and CEO of Lawtrades, a New York based marketplace that connects companies with freelance lawyers and paralegals. He started the company after law school with the idea that legal work should look less like a big-firm invoice and more like a product you can order on the internet. Lawtrades has raised roughly $12M in venture funding, employs a team of about 42, and runs on a global network of vetted legal talent. Ahmed is also the founder of LeanFi and an angel investor. He records music, makes videos, and skateboards on the side.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Lawtrades
- **Organizations:** Lawtrades, LeanFi, 500 Startups (alum, Batch 15), Texas Civil Rights Project (former law clerk)
- **From:** New York City, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BS, Legal Studies and Philosophy of Law, St. John's University, J.D., University at Buffalo School of Law
- **Known for:** Founded Lawtrades, a marketplace for freelance legal talent that has raised roughly $11.88M in total funding, Grew Lawtrades to a global network with a waiting list of 3,000+ attorneys, Alumnus of 500 Startups accelerator

## Career timeline

- **pre-2013** — Law clerk at the Texas Civil Rights Project
- **2013** — Graduated from University at Buffalo School of Law
- **2015** — Founded Lawtrades
- **2016** — Joined 500 Startups accelerator (Batch 15)
- **2021** — Closed Series A funding round (~$6M)
- **2026** — Continues as CEO of Lawtrades, based in New York

## Achievements

- Founded Lawtrades, a marketplace for freelance legal talent that has raised roughly $11.88M in total funding
- Grew Lawtrades to a global network with a waiting list of 3,000+ attorneys
- Alumnus of 500 Startups accelerator
- Featured in TechCrunch, Forbes, Fast Company, Legal Dive, Above the Law
- Named as an innovator by the University at Buffalo School of Law

## Latest updates

- **2021-12** — Lawtrades closed a Series A round of approximately $6M.
- **2026-07** — Continues to lead Lawtrades from New York, with a team of around 42.

## Links

- Website: https://www.raadahmed.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raadahmed
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lawtrades
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgTVjN_Gq2_wXV5yLL8J_Rg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raad.says/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lawtrades
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raadsays

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/raad-ahmed
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-08