CARET Names Jay Kuhlman CEO to Accelerate Growth in Legal Tech Market
CARET Gets a New Commander-in-Chief: Jay Kuhlman Steps In as CEO
Legal tech player CARET just handed the reins to Jay Kuhlman, a seasoned SaaS executive with a track record of scaling operations and driving sustained growth. The appointment signals a sharpened focus on innovation and market expansion in the highly competitive world of practice management and integrated payments for midsize law firms.
Kuhlman takes over from interim CEO Mark Schatz—who remains on the board—and brings over 25 years of leadership experience at high-growth tech companies including Gravyty, Fullsteam, and EverCommerce. Notably, his background includes building vertical SaaS platforms that merge operations, marketing, and finance into streamlined, all-in-one solutions—exactly the kind of muscle CARET is counting on to scale its legal-focused offerings.
What’s at Stake?
CARET isn’t just another law tech vendor—it’s a rising heavyweight in a sector increasingly defined by automation, AI-infused workflows, and fintech integration. Its flagship SaaS product, CARET Legal, rolls together everything a midsize law firm needs to function in the digital age: legal accounting, case and matter management, client communication, dashboards, and—critically—payments.
With competition heating up from platforms like Clio, MyCase, and PracticePanther, CARET’s move to bring in a growth-minded CEO reflects both ambition and urgency. Kuhlman’s past work scaling operations at EverCommerce (a multi-vertical SaaS company) and building out go-to-market engines could be exactly what CARET needs to widen its lead in the midmarket segment.
Military Precision Meets Legal Tech
Kuhlman’s leadership style—shaped by early service in the U.S. Marine Corps—leans heavily on discipline, accountability, and high-functioning teams. For a tech company navigating a fragmented and often slow-to-adopt industry like law, that kind of leadership could be a key differentiator.
“Jay’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for CARET,” said Mark Bean, Managing Director at Thomas H. Lee Partners (THL) and CARET board member. “His strategic vision, operational expertise, and commitment to a strong company culture make him the ideal leader to take CARET forward.”
For his part, Kuhlman is already sounding the right notes. “I look forward to partnering with our talented team to build on the company’s strong foundation,” he said in a statement, “and lead CARET into its next era of innovation and growth.”
Why It Matters
The legal tech market is in flux. As firms continue adapting to hybrid work, rising client expectations, and pressure to digitize, the demand for centralized, scalable platforms is booming. CARET—thanks to its acquisitions (AbacusLaw, Amicus Attorney, and others) and steady investment in feature-rich tools—is positioned to meet those needs head-on.
Still, execution will be everything. Kuhlman’s ability to not just grow, but grow smart—balancing product development with market expansion and user experience—will be closely watched by competitors and law firm CIOs alike.
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