LASST
The LASST AI Safety Whistleblower Legal Defense Fund provides grants to cover legal expenses from whistleblowing about the safety of AI systems. Not sure whether or how the Fund can help you? They have attorneys who can provide privileged, pro bono legal advice to help you navigate the legal system and find and pay for the legal representation and support you need.
LASST is led by Tyler Whitmer, a seasoned commercial litigator with over 15 years of experience, who founded the organization in 2024.
Contact securely01
Am I Eligible?
Quick Check:
✓ Location: USA-based legal issues and expenses
✓ Sector: AI
✓ Your role: Current/former employees, contractors, any other ‘insider’ relationship, whistleblower’s supporters (e.g., journalists, family members)
✓ Your financial status: Whistleblowers don't need to prove financial need. Support for whistleblower supporters will be assessed based on need in addition to reasonableness and impact grounds based on the Fund’s and LASST’s missions.
When to reach out:
Any time - before, during, or after disclosure. LASST moves quickly for urgent cases.
02
What They Cover
Expenses they can cover:
-
Legal representation and advice
-
Pre- and post-disclosure legal expenses, including attorney fees, court costs, and other legal expenses associated with good faith whistleblowing
-
Information disclosure, including fees for legal and strategic advice about how to go public or report to relevant authorities
-
Disclosure-related litigation, including affirmative impact litigation
-
Defending against retaliation and pursuing retaliation-related legal remedies
-
Subpoenas or other discovery processes, regardless of source or form
-
Technical consultants and other nonlegal experts, where appropriate and related to legal services
-
Court fees and tribunal costs
-
Forward funding conditions: Grants to cover yet-to-be incurred expenses are possible if the circumstances require it, but prefers to disburse after expenses are incurred
Expenses they cannot cover:
- Living expenses during proceedings
- Security/protection costs
- Mental health support
- Career transition support
- Communication/PR support
Note:
“Generally, any legal expenses related to good faith whistleblowing are in scope, with specific decisions taken on a case-by-case basis.”
03
Additional Services
-
Fund attorneys can provide legal advice directly to potential clients/applicants, and can also help find other legal support (paid and pro bono).
-
The Fund does not provide support beyond legal issues, but can help connect those who reach out to resources providing such support.
04
How To Approach
Quick Check:
✓ If you are already represented by legal counsel, please have your attorney contact the Fund on your behalf.
✓ If you do not have legal counsel, create a new ProtonMail account specifically for reaching out.
DO NOT USE:
✗ Your work email
✗ Your work devices
✗ Your work networks
✗ Unencrypted email services
First message – DO INCLUDE:
✓ A very high-level description of your situation
✓ Enough information for them to contact you back
✓ Your availability for an initial consultation
First message – DO NOT INCLUDE:
✗ Any information that might breach confidentiality obligations of an employer
✗ Any potentially classified government information
✗ Any material that it may be illegal or a crime to possess or share
05
Legal Disclaimer
06
Contact
Read 'How To Approach' and 'Legal Disclaimer' sections before initiating outreach
Reach out to LASST securely (preferably using a ProtonMail account) at [email protected]
07
Visit Their Website
Discover how LASST supports AI whistleblowers with legal protection and resources
Visit their website
Other Options:
If you’re not yet sure which option is right for you, you can go back to comparing organizations or explore Psst.org and The Signals Network.