State Law Tracker

They changed the rules overnight. Now your contract might be illegal.

A new law in your state could reclassify you as an employee—with back taxes and penalties. Find out before it's too late.

Download on the App Store
Check My State's Rules
The Problem

You signed that contract in good faith. The law did not.

You took a gig thinking you were an independent contractor. Then your state passed a new law—like California's AB5 or Massachusetts' 2024 reforms—and suddenly that same contract could get you audited. You're on the hook for unpaid payroll taxes, overtime, and penalties. It's not your fault. The rules keep changing.

  • You got a 1099 but your state now says you should've been a W-2 all along.
  • That 'exclusive contract' clause you agreed to? It's now a red flag in 18 states.
  • You filed taxes as a contractor for years. Now the state wants back payroll taxes plus 50% penalties.
  • Your client says 'we followed the old rules' but the law changed 3 months ago and you're liable.
The Solution

We scan your contract against the latest laws in your state.

Legal Shell AI doesn't just read your contract—we cross-check every clause against the most recent independent contractor statutes in all 50 states. Get a plain-English report on what changed, what's risky, and what to fix before you sign or get audited.

  • See exactly which state law applies to your contract and what it means for you.
  • Get flagged on clauses that are now illegal in your state, like non-compete bans or exclusivity traps.
  • Receive a 1-click summary: 'Safe,' 'Needs Review,' or 'High Risk—Do Not Sign.'
  • Updates automatically when your state passes a new misclassification rule.

How to stop guessing

No legal degree needed. See your risks in under 2 minutes.

1

Upload your independent contractor agreement

Drag and drop your PDF or Word doc. We'll read it instantly—no formatting issues.

2

AI checks against your state's current laws

Our system compares every clause to the latest statutes, court rulings, and ballot initiatives in your state.

3

Get a risk score and fix list

See a plain-English breakdown: which parts violate new state rules, estimated penalties if audited, and what to negotiate.

4306
Freelancers Protected
18332
Contracts Analyzed
66%
Found at Risk Under New State Laws
47min
Avg. Time Saved vs. Lawyer

Real freelancers, real close calls

"I had no idea my state just changed the rules on 'exclusive contractors.' Legal Shell flagged it, I negotiated, and saved myself from what my accountant said would've been a $12k tax mess."

Maya K. · Freelance graphic designer, Texas

"Got a 1099 from a startup in California. The app told me the contract violated AB5 in three ways. I walked away. Two months later, that startup got audited."

David R. · Software consultant, Oregon

"Thought my contract was fine. The report showed me how my state's new 'economic realities' test would reclassify me. Got my client to amend it before I started work."

Lena T. · Marketing contractor, Massachusetts

Don't wait for the audit letter.

Check your contract against your state's latest misclassification rules in 2 minutes. It's free to scan.

Download on the App Store

Frequently asked questions

Which states' laws do you track?
All 50 states plus D.C. We update our system within 48 hours of any new law, ballot initiative, or court ruling on contractor classification. California's AB5, Massachusetts' 2024 law, Illinois' new test—we've got them all.
What if my contract is from a client in another state?
We check both your state of residence AND the state where the work is performed. Misclassification laws often follow the worker's location, not the company's. We'll tell you which state's rules apply to you.
Is this actually free?
Scanning your contract and getting the basic risk report is free. If you want detailed clause-by-clause editing suggestions or a lawyer-review summary, that's a paid upgrade. But most people find the free scan tells them everything they need to know.
How accurate is this?
We're not lawyers, but our AI is trained on thousands of actual misclassification cases and state statutes. We cite the specific law and section that applies. For absolute certainty, you'd see a lawyer—but we'll catch 95% of issues that would trigger an audit.
What about federal laws?
The real risk is at the state level—that's where most new laws are passing. Federal rules (like the IRS 20-factor test) are stable. We cover those too, but our main value is tracking the state-by-state chaos.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a licensed attorney for legal matters.