Pioneers and Pathfinders Jonathan Petts
Sep 17, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Jonathan Petts, co-founder and CEO of Upsolve, shares his journey from bankruptcy law to founding a nonprofit that's transforming financial futures. He recounts the pivotal moments that inspired Upsolve, including a crucial pro bono case. Jonathan delves into the challenges of translating legal jargon into user-friendly tools and explores how partnerships enhance their reach. Excitingly, he unveils plans for AI to assist users navigating bankruptcy, aiming to reduce the staggering drop-off rates. His reflections on overcoming fear and embracing failure are both inspiring and relatable.
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Firsthand Courtroom Experience Spark
- Jonathan Petts first encountered bankruptcy work during a 2005 internship with Judge Elizabeth Song in Brooklyn.
- He saw both the transformational impact of discharge and how painful the paperwork was for non-lawyers.
Failure Led To Purpose
- After getting fired from big law, Jonathan found purpose when a pro bono client, Keisha, told him bankruptcy changed her life.
- Her story made him think about scaling legal help beyond one-on-one pro bono work.
Serendipitous Co-founder Meeting
- Jonathan met co-founder Rohan Pavluri serendipitously at a pro bono lunch held by Judge Stong.
- Rohan already intended to build a nonprofit 'TurboTax for bankruptcy', which launched their partnership.