We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephen Candelmo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephen , thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

After nearly three decades as a corporate attorney, I thought I had seen it all. I’d helped countless startups navigate everything from their first incorporation to major acquisitions, working at both big firms and boutique practices. The work was rewarding, the pay was good, and I had a clear path forward.

Then I started noticing something that really bothered me.

The founders I worked with were either stretching their budgets thin on legal fees or—worse—skipping legal help entirely because they couldn’t afford it. Here were these brilliant entrepreneurs with game-changing ideas, and they were stuck between a rock and a hard place when it came to legal support.

That’s when I made what some people called a crazy decision: I started to transition away from traditional legal practice based on my high paying hourly rate to start Paralex.

I won’t lie—it was scary. I wasn’t some fresh-faced 20-something with nothing to lose. I had responsibilities that come with being in your 50s. But I also had this nagging feeling that I could build something better.

Our vision was simple: combine AI technology with real human attorneys to make legal services faster, more affordable, and less intimidating for startups and small businesses. We’re not trying to replace lawyers—we’re trying to make them more accessible when founders need them most.

Looking back, it was definitely the biggest professional risk I’ve ever taken. But seeing founders finally get the legal support they need without breaking the bank? That makes every sleepless night worth it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Stephen Candelmo, and my journey to founding Paralex has been anything but typical.

I spent 29+ years in corporate law, but here’s the thing—I wasn’t just advising startups, I was one myself. I co-founded two venture-backed companies, which means I’ve sat on both sides of the table. I know what it’s like to be a founder and small business owner desperately needing legal help, and I know what it’s like to be the lawyer trying to provide it.

That dual perspective shaped everything about Paralex. We’re not a traditional law firm where you’re afraid to call because the meter’s running. We’re also not one of those DIY legal sites where you’re left crossing your fingers and hoping you did it right.

Instead, we’re something new: a platform that uses AI to handle the routine stuff quickly, but always has real attorneys reviewing everything to make sure it’s solid. Think of us as having a legal expert on your team, but without the scary hourly rates.

What I’m most excited about is that we’re solving a real problem. When a first-time founder or small business owner can get their contracts reviewed or their investor documents drafted without losing sleep over the cost, that’s when I know we’re onto something special.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Here’s the thing about resilience in the startup world—it’s not one dramatic moment where you overcome some major obstacle. It’s the daily grind of getting knocked down and getting back up, sometimes multiple times in the same day.

I remember one particularly brutal week at Paralex. On Monday, we landed a meeting with a potential investor that could have been game-changing. I was flying high. By Wednesday, that same investor had passed, citing concerns about our “being a bit too early for them.” Thursday brought news that a core feature broke and had to scramble to fix it, and Friday? Well, Friday I found myself questioning whether I’d made a massive mistake not directing my energy to my comfortable legal practice.

But here’s what I’ve learned: resilience isn’t about having one shining moment of triumph. It’s about showing up every single day, even when your bank account is dwindling, even when that investor meeting makes you feel like your idea is completely wrong, even when a sales call goes sideways and you’re wondering if anyone will ever “get” what you’re building.

The truth is, every day as a founder requires resilience. You celebrate a small win in the morning, then face a setback in the afternoon. You have a breakthrough with your product, then realize you’re still not quite hitting product-market fit. You convince yourself you’re on the right track, then have a conversation that makes you question everything.

I’m not proud of one specific moment of resilience—I’m proud of all of it. I’m proud that when our platform had technical issues, I didn’t give up. I’m proud that when funding got tight, I found creative ways to stretch every dollar. I’m proud that when people said our model wouldn’t work, I kept building anyway.

Because here’s the reality: if you don’t have that daily resilience, that unwavering belief in your vision, and the confidence to keep making decisions even when the path isn’t clear, you’ve already decreased your odds of success before you even start.

Every founder knows this journey isn’t for the faint of heart. But that’s exactly why the ones who stick with it, who find a way to bounce back day after day, are the ones who eventually break through.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I’ve always believed that reputation is built one conversation at a time, with an emphasis on empathy, and I’ve tried to approach every client relationship with that in mind.

Over the years, I noticed that clients would call me not just for legal questions, but for advice on strategy, introductions to other professionals, or sometimes just to think through a tough decision. I realized that being a good lawyer isn’t just about knowing the law—it’s about understanding people and their businesses.

I also learned early on that saying “I don’t know” followed by “but let me find out” is incredibly powerful. Too many lawyers try to have an answer for everything, but clients respect honesty. If I didn’t know something, I’d tell them, then I’d go find the expert who did.

That approach—being practical, honest, and genuinely invested in my clients’ success—is what I’ve tried to build into Paralex. Our platform isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about bringing that same level of care and attention to every client who uses it, whether they’re working on their first startup or their fifth.

At the end of the day, I want every entrepreneur to feel like they have a legal solution that’s actually on their side, rooting for their success. That’s the kind of reputation I’m proud to build.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://paralex.ai
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-candelmo/
• Other: TikTok: @scandelmo.paralex

Image Credits

Stephen Candelmo