As many of us come off the high of hanging out and talking AI at ILTA, there seems to be a push this week in the articles for AI tools to “show me what you’ve done for me lately?” This makes sense that once you get back to the office and need to show existing return on investment, or to justify potential return on investment, you definitely want to make sure you do not bring in products that will simply be parked on a shelf and remain unused.

Jackie Schafer, CEO of Clearbrief, believes that legal tech buyers are experiencing fatigue because of the overwhelming number of vendors entering the market, often with products that are essentially wrappers on existing technologies like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Many of these vendors have not invested sufficient thought into the architecture of their products, including how they integrate with essential tools lawyers use or how they meet stringent security and confidentiality requirements. As a result, legal professionals are bombarded with constant marketing and promises, making it difficult for them to discern which products are genuinely effective, secure, and suitable for their specific needs. This leads to a feeling of fatigue as they try to cut through the hype to find reliable solutions. I think she is spot on.

On a personal note, I have been testing out a new method of notetaking this week after hearing one of the reporters on the Hard Fork podcast talk about it. Has anyone tried Zettelkasten? This is a style of note taking, where you essentially write down your notes in your own words as you are doing research, and then use a free program like Obsidian to compile these notes into a single place. I’ve been playing around with it, and reading the book How to take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens this week, and I have found it to be very fascinating. The software allows you to tag, link, and create subjects, which is very appealing to the librarian in me. If you’ve used Zettelkasten note taking before, I’d like to know what you think!

Here’s this week’s edition of What. Just. Happened? Remember, you can track these stories with the AI Lawyer Talking Tech podcast (Spotify or Apple) which covers legal tech news and summarizes stories on a daily basis.

 

Harvey Launches Legal GenAI Evaluation System: BigLaw Bench
Harvey has released BigLaw Bench, a groundbreaking methodology for assessing the accuracy of legal generative AI tools, evaluating models on real legal tasks. Harvey’s framework sets a benchmark for the industry, providing a transparent and structured evaluation system crucial for the future of legal AI​.

Clearbrief CEO Discusses Legal Tech Buyers’ Fatigue Amid AI Surge
Clearbrief’s CEO Jacqueline Schafer discusses the legal industry’s fatigue with unproven generative AI solutions. While legal departments seek AI tools to streamline tasks, they emphasize the need for these technologies to integrate seamlessly with existing processes. This highlights the demand for trusted, proven AI tools in the legal sector.

Lawyers Need a Capitalist Mindset in the Age of AI
As AI transforms legal processes, lawyers must adopt a capitalist mindset, investing in AI-powered solutions to own the means of production. By developing or acquiring legal tech solutions, lawyers can create new revenue streams and stay competitive in an AI-driven legal market​.

Revolutionizing Legal AI Benchmarks with “AI Law”
AI Law’s evaluations show that AI models are improving in performing legal tasks, but still have room for growth, especially in high-stakes legal matters. The article emphasizes the potential benefits of AI in improving efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness in legal services. The composability of AI models allows for AI to assess and improve itself, offering radical advancements that may surpass human capabilities in reasoning and learning over time.

Rise in Legal AI Adoption with Specific Use Cases and Patience
Legal AI tools are being adopted more broadly, though experts urge firms to identify specific use cases and proceed with patience. Automating routine tasks such as document production and compliance is expected to yield significant efficiency gains for law firms.

Generative Search Engines Poised to Revolutionize Legal Research
Generative Search Engines (GSEs) like OpenAI’s SearchGPT are transforming legal research by providing direct answers instead of links. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce the time lawyers spend on research, offering precise and contextual responses​.

The hidden costs of AI-powered legaltech: are foundational skills being lost?
While AI automates tedious, low-strategic tasks like document review and contract drafting, it raises concerns about junior lawyers missing out on crucial skill-building opportunities. Although AI enables faster career progression and efficiency, experts argue that relying too heavily on AI could result in a mid-level cohort of lawyers lacking essential experience, calling for a balance between AI adoption and skill acquisition.

ILTA Survey Shows GenAI Usage by Small Law Firms
According to a survey by the International Legal Technology Association, small law firms are increasingly adopting general AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT. These tools are being used for tasks such as business operations, research, and drafting, though widespread adoption across the legal industry remains limited.

In the legal profession, success is not solely about winning cases but also about building a sustainable practice that endures the test of time. Douglas J. Wood, a veteran entertainment and media lawyer, underscores this in his latest book, From Dawn to Dusk. Wood shares valuable insights on the importance of strategic planning for lawyers and offers advice on navigating the emotional and practical challenges of transitioning out of active practice. His reflections provide a roadmap for legal professionals aiming to build a thriving practice and smoothly transition into retirement.

Wood emphasizes the critical role that a well-structured business plan plays in the success of a legal practice. Drawing from his personal journey, he highlights how he adopted basic business principles early in his career, focusing on creating a detailed, written plan with specific, measurable goals. According to Wood, lawyers often overlook the necessity of such planning, choosing instead to rely on their legal expertise alone. However, by integrating business strategies into their practice, lawyers can significantly enhance their chances of long-term success. Wood’s approach demonstrates that a solid business plan is not just an option but a necessity for those who wish to thrive in the competitive legal landscape.

As lawyers progress in their careers, they inevitably face the challenge of transitioning out of active practice. Wood candidly discusses the emotional strain associated with this process, particularly the sense of irrelevancy that can emerge as one nears retirement. He stresses the importance of having a transition plan in place, one that allows lawyers to gradually step back while ensuring their clients are well taken care of by other attorneys. This transition, Wood argues, should not be left to chance; instead, it should be a carefully managed process that begins years before retirement. His advice serves as a reminder that, just as in the early stages of a career, strategic planning is crucial in the later stages as well.

One of the more pressing issues in today’s legal industry, according to Wood, is the generational gap exacerbated by the shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This gap, he believes, threatens the traditional methods of mentoring and knowledge transfer within law firms. The remote working model has disrupted the interpersonal relationships that are essential for passing down wisdom from senior lawyers to younger associates. Wood warns that law firms must find ways to bridge this divide if they are to maintain a cohesive and effective workforce. His observations highlight the need for firms to adapt to the changing work environment while preserving the core elements of mentorship and collaboration that are vital to a firm’s success.

In essence, Wood’s insights offer a comprehensive guide for lawyers at every stage of their careers. From the importance of a well-structured business plan to the challenges of transitioning out of practice, his advice is both practical and deeply reflective of his own experiences. Moreover, his concerns about the generational gap in law firms serve as a timely reminder that the legal profession must evolve with the times while maintaining its foundational practices. For any lawyer looking to build a successful career and plan for a smooth retirement, Wood’s wisdom is invaluable.

Douglas J. Wood’s reflections on building a legal legacy are a testament to the power of strategic planning and foresight in the legal profession. His emphasis on business planning, career transitions, and the generational gap provides a roadmap for lawyers aiming to achieve long-term success and relevance. Wood’s insights serve as a reminder that a successful legal career is not just about winning cases but about building a practice that endures and evolves.

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Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript

Continue Reading Transitioning Away from Your Multi-Million Dollar Practice: Douglas J. Wood

Many of us in the United States are hitting the road/airport this weekend to get in the last bit of Summer. For Texans like me, we’ll still have some hot weather for the next few weeks, but eventually it will cool down and remind us that Mid-September through Mid-May is really why we put up with the summer heat.

I am going to see my mother, so that means a quick 12-hour drive out and a 12-hour drive back, over a three-day weekend. But it will be worth it to see family. At least, that is what I’ve been saying to psych myself up for this road trip!! Wish me luck.

One of the articles that piqued my interest this week was about LawLLM, and the ability to focus Large Language Models on legal topics. While I think the article and the paper behind it lack from the benefit of having people in the legal industry guide the group of engineers and computer programmers behind the paper, there’s something there in the idea of the potential behind smaller, more focused LLMs. I still have in the back of my mind that Thomson Reuters’ acquisition of Safe Sign Technologies may show TR tipping its hand that it can’t place all its AI Eggs into an OpenAI basket. Maybe I’m reading too much into this acquisition, but it would seem like a smart play in the long run for a company like TR not to get locked into a Duopoly of GenAI information providers. Kind of like most of us are with the duopoly of Legal Information providers (h/t to my co-host for saying this at lunch yesterday.)

Here’s this week’s edition of What. Just. Happened? Remember, you can track these stories with the AI Lawyer Talking Tech podcast (Spotify or Apple) which covers legal tech news and summarizes stories on a daily basis.

LawLLM Revolutionizes Legal Research with AI
LawLLM, an open-source large language model, is transforming legal research by improving the accuracy and efficiency of tasks such as case retrieval, precedent recommendations, and legal judgment predictions. This AI tool underscores the growing role of advanced technologies in enhancing legal analytics.

Icertis Partners with Harvey and Evisort for Enhanced AI-Powered Contract Management
Icertis, a leader in contract lifecycle management, has formed strategic partnerships with legal AI companies Harvey and Evisort. These partnerships are set to enhance Icertis’ contract analytics capabilities by integrating AI-driven tools that offer increased speed, accuracy, and customization in contract management, providing clients with more flexibility and choice​.

Spellbook Releases ‘Spellbook Associate’ AI for Complex Legal Tasks
Spellbook, a legal technology company, has launched ‘Spellbook Associate,’ an AI application that mimics the role of an associate attorney by handling complex transactional workflows. This marks a significant advancement in legal AI, as it allows lawyers to automate routine tasks, freeing up time for more strategic activities.

Office & Dragons Enhances Document Automation with GenAI
Office & Dragons, a legal tech startup, has incorporated generative AI into its document automation platform. This innovation enables lawyers to automate a variety of document-related tasks, such as generation, editing, and redlining, without needing to code, thereby democratizing the automation process and improving efficiency across legal practices​.

Generative AI Transforms Legal Drafting with CoCounsel Drafting
Generative AI is making significant inroads in legal drafting, as demonstrated by CoCounsel Drafting. This AI-powered tool streamlines the drafting process by automating tasks like template selection and clause finding, allowing lawyers to focus on higher-value client services. The adoption of such tools is expected to become widespread by 2029.

AI: Law Firms Stuck Between “FUD and FOMO”
Law firms are navigating the challenges of integrating generative AI (Gen AI) technology. While some firms are optimistic about its potential, others are cautious due to concerns about accuracy and its current limitations in client work. The debate between fear and uncertainty (FUD) and fear of missing out (FOMO) continues as firms explore AI’s capabilities​.

Leading In The Age Of Gen AI: Systematic Integrity For In-House Corporate Lawyers
In-house corporate lawyers are increasingly adopting Generative AI (Gen AI) for creating original content. Olga V. Mack, a Fellow at CodeX, Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, emphasizes the importance of developing comprehensive manuals and checklists to ensure the ethical use of Gen AI, promoting trust and accountability in legal department.

Morae Partners with ContractPodAi for Gen AI Contract Drafting
Morae Global Corporation has announced a partnership with ContractPodAi to bring Generative AI-driven contract drafting to their clients. This collaboration integrates ContractPodAi’s “Leah,” a Gen AI legal assistant, with Morae’s “MorAI” suite of solutions, aiming to enhance efficiency and accuracy in corporate legal departments, compliance functions, and law firms globally​.

Enhancing Legal Practice with AI and Machine Learning: Applications and Benefits
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming legal practices, from AI-powered legal research to predictive analytics and automated document review. These technologies are improving accuracy, reducing costs, and optimizing legal workflows, making them indispensable tools for modern legal professionals.

This week, we bring back our original TGIR podcast guest, Zena Applebaum. Zena is now the Senior Vice President of Market Development at Harbor, and we discuss the ongoing transformation driven by technological advancements and strategic shifts. Her insights provide a valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing legal professionals as they navigate these changes.

Zena talks about the integration of generative AI (Gen AI) into legal research tools, particularly at Thomson Reuters, where she previously worked. She emphasizes the challenges in managing expectations around AI’s capabilities while ensuring that the products deliver on their promises. The legal industry has high expectations for AI to simplify the time-consuming and complex nature of legal research. However, Applebaum highlights the need for balance, as legal research remains inherently challenging, and overpromising on AI’s potential could lead to dissatisfaction among users.

Zena was one of the first in the legal market to understand the role of competitive intelligence in shaping product development and market strategies. Applebaum reflects on her experience at Thomson Reuters, where she applied competitive intelligence not just to monitor competitors but to anticipate market dynamics and plan for the future. This approach allowed Thomson Reuters to stay ahead by avoiding surprises and making informed decisions that aligned with long-term goals. Her emphasis on listening to customer needs and understanding market trends underscores the importance of strategic foresight in the legal tech industry.

We also talk about Zena’s move over to Harbor, where she now focuses on market development. She explains that her move was motivated by the opportunity to impact a smaller, more agile company and leverage her legal domain expertise in a broader context. At Harbor, Applebaum aims to redefine the company’s value proposition and position it as a holistic service provider for the legal industry. This shift from a product-centric role to a more strategic, client-focused position highlights the evolving nature of legal services and the increasing demand for comprehensive solutions that address various aspects of legal practice.

Furthermore, the podcast explores the potential impact of AI on the legal landscape and Harbor’s role in helping law firms and legal departments adapt to these changes. Applebaum notes that while AI has not yet revolutionized the industry as quickly as some anticipated, it is gradually driving efficiency and reshaping how legal professionals approach their work. Harbor’s technology-agnostic approach allows it to assist firms in optimizing their tech stacks and preparing for the future, whether through AI, cloud migration, or other technological advancements. This adaptability positions Harbor as a key player in guiding firms through the ongoing digital transformation.

Zena shares her outlook on the future of the legal industry, particularly the growing sophistication of in-house legal departments and the increasing competition for legal talent. She predicts that as AI continues to enhance efficiency and drive changes in the industry, the demand for skilled legal professionals will rise. Law firms will need to adapt to these shifts by embracing new technologies and rethinking their strategies to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

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Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript

Continue Reading AI, Market Dynamics, and the Future of Legal Services with Harbor’s Zena Applebaum

Perhaps one of the things that we don’t think about when we are at conferences like ILTACon, is the amount of emails we get post-conference. Most of mine this week start with “sorry we didn’t connect at ILTACon, but here’s your opportunity to talk with me about the product you ignored and are probably regretting not seeing at ILTA last week.” Or something like that… I may be embellishing a bit.

There is still a lot of updates, mergers/acquisitions, and new product release information hitting the news this week, most of which was announced at ILTA. Some of the updates seem to be more of the big two legal information companies finding some point solutions to enhance their AI offerings. It’s my guess that we will see many more of these types of advancements in the coming weeks and months as companies work to fill in gaps in their offerings.

The one that caught my eye this week was Lexis’ launch of Protégé Legal AI Assistant which should leverage its Lexis Search Advantage Knowledge Management (KM) tool along with Lexis+ AI. We’ve been looking for a way to dig into our DMS (iManage/NetDocs) for a while now, and this may crack that door open a bit and let us see what happens with those results, and what security teams at law firms are going to say about using AI on the DMS.

Here’s this week’s edition of What. Just. Happened? Remember, you can track these daily with the AI Lawyer Talking Tech podcast (Spotify or Apple) which covers legal tech news and summarizes stories.

 

  • Thomson Reuters Acquires Safe Sign Technologies
    Thomson Reuters, a leader in legal information and technology, has acquired UK-based Safe Sign Technologies, a startup specializing in legal-specific large language models (LLMs). This acquisition aims to bolster Thomson Reuters’ CoCounsel AI Assistant, enhancing their AI capabilities in delivering advanced legal technology solutions tailored to specific legal tasks and ensuring legally permissible data usage​.
  • Spellbook Launches Gen AI Agent for Legal Projects
    Spellbook has introduced a new generative AI agent, “Associate,” specifically designed to handle complex legal tasks such as drafting financing documents and contract reviews. This innovation is set to help smaller law firms compete with larger ones by automating routine tasks, allowing lawyers to focus on more strategic activities.
  • LexisNexis Clarifies AI Integration with Document Management Systems
    LexisNexis has clarified how its Protégé Legal AI Assistant integrates with law firms’ Document Management Systems (DMS). This integration provides firms with greater control over data access and enhances data security while leveraging the benefits of AI to improve legal workflows​
  • Legal Technology Hub Discusses Their Acquisition of Legal Tech Consultants
    Legal Technology Hub has expanded its capabilities by acquiring Legal Tech Consultants. This merger strengthens the combined entity’s ability to provide comprehensive solutions for legal tech vendors and law firms, enhancing guidance and support for early-stage startups and large law firms alike​.
  • Moonlit Secures Funding After Spinning Out from Deloitte
    Amsterdam-based legal research platform Moonlit, which recently spun out from Deloitte, has secured funding from Curiosity VC. Moonlit aims to enhance its AI-driven platform that streamlines cross-border legal research, addressing the need for efficient and accessible legal research across EU member states​.
  • USC Gould School of Law Launches AI Specialization
    The Gould School of Law at the University of Southern California has introduced a certificate specialization in Law and Artificial Intelligence. This program will equip students with the knowledge to navigate legal issues surrounding AI, such as privacy, intellectual property, and ethics, reflecting the growing intersection of AI and law​.
  • Aderant Launches viAllocate for Work Allocation Challenges
    Aderant has launched viAllocate, a solution designed to tackle work allocation challenges in law firms. The platform optimizes lawyer availability and skill tracking, improving the allocation of resources and enhancing associate development, ultimately maximizing billable hours​.
  • Amazon-Backed Anthropic Faces Copyright Legal Challenges
    Anthropic, an AI startup backed by Amazon, is embroiled in legal battles over the use of copyrighted materials in training its AI models. The outcomes of these cases could set precedents for AI development and intellectual property rights​.
  • Legal Aid and AI Help Bridge the Justice Gap
    AI is playing a crucial role in transforming legal aid in the U.S., helping to close the “justice gap” for low-income Americans. AI-powered tools are streamlining case management, document preparation, and volunteer recruitment, enabling legal aid organizations to serve more clients efficiently.

This week, we talk about an exciting development in the legal technology industry: the acquisition of Legal Tech Consultants by Legal Technology Hub. We bring in the key players involved in this strategic move, including Nikki Shaver, Jeroen Plink, and Cheryl Wilson Griffin. The trio share their insights into the motivations behind the acquisition and their future plans. This acquisition not only marks a significant milestone for both companies but also promises to bring innovative solutions to the legal tech market.

Nikki Shaver, co-founder and CEO of Legal Technology Hub, explained that the acquisition was driven by the natural synergy between the two companies. Legal Tech Consultants, led by Cheryl Wilson Griffin, had long been admired for its advisory work with early-stage startups, which complemented Legal Technology Hub’s existing focus on more mature companies. As the conversations between the two teams deepened, it became clear that combining their efforts would create a more comprehensive offering in the market. The integration of Cheryl’s expertise and client base into Legal Technology Hub aligns with the latter’s long-term strategic goals of expanding its reach and influence in the legal tech industry.

Jeroen Plink, co-founder and COO of Legal Technology Hub, emphasized the practical benefits of the acquisition. By merging Cheryl’s consulting services with Legal Technology Hub’s existing offerings, they can now provide even more robust support to vendors and law firms alike. The combined experience of the team, which spans over 60 years in the legal tech space, allows them to offer unparalleled insights and guidance. This depth of knowledge is particularly valuable in helping legal tech vendors navigate the complex buying cycles of law firms and in-house legal departments, ultimately improving the overall legal tech ecosystem.

Cheryl Wilson Griffin, the founder of Legal Tech Consultants, expressed her excitement about joining forces with Legal Technology Hub. She highlighted the unique blend of expertise that each member brings to the table, creating what she described as a “super dream team.” Cheryl’s experience as a legal tech buyer and consultant allows her to provide invaluable insights to startups, particularly in preparing them to meet the rigorous demands of large law firms. Her focus on building out resources for mid-sized firms and startups is seen as a key area of growth, particularly in developing content that helps these companies better understand the market and improve their offerings.

The conversation also touched on the cultural fit between the teams, which both Nikki and Cheryl noted as crucial to the success of the acquisition. They had built strong relationships over time, ensuring that their visions and working styles aligned before moving forward. This careful approach has made the integration process seamless, allowing them to hit the ground running. The team is already looking ahead to new initiatives, including potentially productizing some of their consulting services and exploring the development of an accelerator or incubator for legal tech startups.

This acquisition of Legal Tech Consultants by Legal Technology Hub represents a significant step forward in the legal tech industry. The combined expertise of Nikki Shaver, Jeroen Plink, and Cheryl Wilson Griffin promises to deliver innovative solutions and strategic guidance to both vendors and law firms. As they continue to expand their offerings and build on their strengths, the legal tech community can expect to see exciting developments from this newly formed powerhouse in the industry.

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Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact Information:

Legal Technology Hub Website

Getting home last night (actually early this morning) from #ILTACON24, I had a chance to finally catch my breath. I flew into Nashville early on Monday to catch the keynote, Hannah Fry explain that the single most human word that differentiates us from the machines is “POOP.” This made the 13-year-old boy in me very happy. 

Perhaps the best shirt I saw at ILTACON was worn by Jessi Adler, that showed the battery levels of attendees from Day 1 to Day 4 (in reality, ILTACON is 5 days, but I guess Sunday doesn’t count??) Needless to say, Day 4 battery levels are almost fully depleted.

 

It was great to meet up with old friends, new friends, previous podcast guests, talk with vendors about what they are doing these days (hint: a lot of it is Gen AI, but let’s keep that a secret.) After six-years of doing The Geek in Review Podcast, it is not unusual for me to have a conversation with someone, and five-minutes into the conversation suddenly remember that this person was on the podcast, and we both kind of forgot. I think that says more about my memory than it does about the quality of the podcast. At least, that’s the story I’m going with.

Even with all the happenings at ILTACON, there was a lot going on this week in the legal tech world. Actually, some of these events were happening because of ILTACON. So, here’s a weekly update of stories that caught my attention from my other podcast, the daily legal tech AI Lawyer Talking Tech. -GL

  • Training AI to Mentor Like a Partner: Insights from Dr. Megan Ma: Dr. Ma discusses the transformative potential of AI in the legal field, highlighting how her projects aim to democratize access to legal tools and resources. She also explored the ethical implications of AI, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the development of legal tech solutions. Dr. Ma’s insights offer a compelling look at the intersection of law and technology, making her appearance a must-listen for those interested in the future of the legal profession.
  • K&L Gates Advises Leonardo.ai on Sale to Canva: K&L Gates played a key role in advising generative AI company Leonardo.ai during its acquisition by Canva. This deal underscores the growing importance of AI-driven creativity tools and Canva’s strategic move to integrate advanced AI into its platform​.
  • DISCO’s New CEO Focuses on Growth and AI Innovation: Eric Friedrichsen, the new CEO of legal tech firm DISCO, is steering the company toward growth by addressing cultural challenges, improving revenue, and introducing innovative AI products like Cecilia Auto Review, which enhances document review in e-discovery​.
  • Berkeley Law Launches AI-Focused Advanced Law Degree: The University of California, Berkeley Law School has introduced a groundbreaking Master’s of Laws program centered on artificial intelligence. This program, set to launch in 2025, is designed to equip legal professionals with the skills necessary to navigate AI’s growing impact on the legal industry.
  • LexisNexis Introduces Protégé Legal AI Assistant: LexisNexis announced the release of its third-generation AI capability, the Protégé Legal AI Assistant. This tool personalizes the AI experience for legal professionals by integrating past user behavior and firm data, aiming to become the go-to AI assistant in the legal industry​.
  • LexTalk World Conference 2024: The LexTalk World Conference brought together experts in law and technology to explore advancements in legal tech and digital transformation. The event emphasized knowledge sharing and collaboration, highlighting the evolving landscape of legal services​.
  • Aderant Showcases New AI Solutions at ILTACON 2024: At ILTACON 2024, Aderant unveiled several new AI-powered tools, including the Stridyn cloud platform and viAllocate for optimizing lawyer staffing. These innovations demonstrate Aderant’s commitment to advancing AI in legal tech and enhancing operational efficiency​.
  • Google Trains Its Employees To Shield Emails And Other Documents From Review: A federal court’s ruling against Google for maintaining a monopoly in online search could have far-reaching implications for the legal tech industry, especially in terms of how digital platforms operate and the innovation of legal research tools​.
  • UniCourt Unveils AI-Powered Litigation Data Platform at ILTACON 2024: UniCourt unveiled its new AI-powered litigation data platform at ILTACON 2024. This platform is designed to provide legal professionals with advanced tools to analyze and manage litigation data more effectively. By leveraging AI, UniCourt’s platform offers enhanced capabilities for identifying trends, predicting outcomes, and streamlining the legal research process, aiming to improve decision-making and operational efficiency in legal practices.
  • From code to conduct: ethical considerations for AI in legal practice | Reuters: A new code of conduct addressing the ethical considerations of using artificial intelligence (AI) in legal practice has been introduced, reflecting growing concerns about the responsible deployment of AI tools in the legal industry. The code emphasizes the importance of transparency, accountability, and fairness when integrating AI into legal workflows, and provides guidelines to help legal professionals navigate potential ethical dilemmas.

 

This week on The Geek in Review, we discuss the future of legal technology with Dr. Megan Ma, a distinguished research fellow and Associate Director of the Stanford Program in Law, Science, and Technology at the Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, also known as Codex. Dr. Ma’s groundbreaking work in integrating generative AI into legal applications takes center stage as she shares her insights on translating legal knowledge into code and the implications of human-machine collaboration in the legal field.

Dr. Ma discusses her unique background in law and linguistics, emphasizing the challenges of translating legal language into deterministic computer code. Her fascination with language and its nuances has inspired her research at Codex, where she explores how legal concepts can be effectively communicated through technology. She recounts her academic journey, explaining how her multilingual skills and interest in natural language processing have shaped her approach to developing legal tech solutions.

At Codex, the mission is to empower the legal system through innovative technology. Dr. Ma describes Codex as a collaborative hub, where experts from various fields work together to address inefficiencies and pain points in the legal system. She highlights the center’s commitment to human-centered design, ensuring that their technological advancements are co-created with relevant stakeholders. This approach ensures that the tools and solutions developed at Codex are practical and beneficial for both lawyers and clients.

One of the standout initiatives at Codex is their mentorship model, designed to mirror the traditional mentorship found in law firms. Dr. Ma explains how they use AI to create legal personas based on the redline practices of experienced partners. This innovative approach allows junior associates to receive focused guidance, helping them improve their skills and knowledge in a more efficient and impactful manner. By integrating AI into the mentorship process, Codex aims to bridge the gap between theoretical legal education and practical experience.

Dr. Ma introduces the concept of agentic workflows, where AI agents make autonomous decisions based on specified goals rather than predefined tasks. This dynamic interaction is particularly useful in legal negotiations, where unforeseen circumstances often arise. The negotiation model developed by Codex includes features like client rooms, expert consultations, and various levels of difficulty to simulate real-world scenarios. This hands-on training tool is designed to help young lawyers navigate complex negotiations and improve their problem-solving skills.

In the Crystal Ball segment, Dr. Ma shares her vision for the future of legal technology. She emphasizes the importance of developing tools that tap into the legal brain, focusing on the process behind legal decisions rather than just the end product. By capturing the experiential knowledge of seasoned lawyers, Codex aims to create more effective and intuitive AI tools that can support the legal profession in new and innovative ways. Dr. Ma’s insights highlight the potential for AI to transform the legal field, making it more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of both practitioners and clients.

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Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com
Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript

Continue Reading Training AI to Mentor Like a Partner: Insights from Dr. Megan Ma

If you’re like me, your in-box (and SPAM filter) were packed with ILTA messages to come visit vendors at booth #XXX. It is amazing how many vendors and legal tech folks who are going to be there and vying for your attention next week. I have to say that my calendar is packed, and that’s before I even find good educational sessions to attend. If you are going to be there and you want to see me, you better get on the calendar today. 😉

Lots of action in the legal tech industry this week. The Stanford CODEX/Flatiron M&A Simulator is one that we are monitoring, and trying out. We had Flatiron’s Conrad Everhard on the Geek in Review this week, and (spoiler) we have Dr. Megan Ma from CODEX on the show next week talking about this AI training tool. If you are looking for something practical, you should definitely check this tool out.

Here’s a few articles that caught my eye this week. See you in Nashville! – GL

 

  • Gravity Stack Embraces Generative AI
    Gravity Stack, a legal tech and consulting group affiliated with Reed Smith, has fully embraced generative artificial intelligence (AI). The company is advising clients on AI implementation, utilizing technologies like Perplexity AI and OpenAI’s SearchGPT. Gravity Stack’s shift towards AI highlights the legal industry’s increasing reliance on advanced technologies to improve productivity and adaptability in legal processes​.
  • Flatiron Launches GenAI M&A Training Simulator
    Stanford Law School’s Codex and Flatiron Law Group have introduced a groundbreaking AI-driven M&A negotiation simulator. This tool allows legal professionals to practice negotiations with AI agents representing opposing parties. The simulator aims to bridge the gap between academic training and real-world legal practice, making it a significant advancement in legal education​
  • Elon Musk Sues OpenAI Over Mission Deviation
    Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, alleging that the organization deviated from its original non-profit mission by shifting towards for-profit activities. This lawsuit underscores the growing tensions in the AI industry as companies balance innovation with ethical considerations​.
  • EU AI Act: A New Era of AI Regulation
    The European Union has published its comprehensive AI Act, marking the first global regulation of its kind. The Act categorizes AI systems based on risk and imposes strict requirements on high-risk systems. This regulation will significantly impact AI development and deployment, especially for companies operating within or targeting the EU market​.
  • Illinois Amends Biometric Information Privacy Act
    Illinois has enacted an amendment to its strict Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), limiting the number of violations an individual can claim. This change is expected to reduce the potential for massive damage awards in BIPA class actions, marking a significant shift in biometric privacy law​.
  • American Bar Association Issues AI Ethics Guidelines
    The American Bar Association (ABA) has released new guidelines for lawyers using generative AI tools. The guidelines emphasize the importance of competence, confidentiality, and transparency when using AI in legal practice. This marks a critical step in ensuring the ethical use of AI in the legal profession​.
  • Microsoft vs. Delta: IT Infrastructure Dispute
    In a legal dispute following a global technology outage, Microsoft has accused Delta Air Lines of failing to modernize its IT infrastructure, contributing to the extended disruption. This case highlights the challenges companies face when relying on legacy systems and the potential legal repercussions​.
  • Stanford’s AI-Powered Legal Training Simulator
    Stanford Law School’s Codex, in partnership with Flatiron Law Group, has launched an AI-powered M&A training simulator. This innovative tool allows legal professionals to practice negotiations in a simulated environment, offering real-time feedback and enhancing legal training through AI​.
  • Texas AG Settles $1.4 Billion Facial Recognition Suit with Meta
    The Texas Attorney General’s office has reached a $1.4 billion settlement with Meta over the unauthorized use of facial recognition technology. This case signals increased enforcement of privacy laws and highlights the legal risks associated with biometric data​.
  • Legal Tech Innovator David Cambria Joins Epiq
    David Cambria, known as the “Godfather of Legal Operations,” has joined Epiq as Managing Director of the Legal Business Advisory Practice. Cambria’s move to Epiq underscores the growing importance of legal operations in modern legal practice​.
  • EU AI Office Calls for Participants to Draft AI Code of Practice
    The European Union Artificial Intelligence Office is seeking participants to help draft the AI Code of Practice as mandated by the AI Act. This code will guide AI developers in complying with new regulations, ensuring that AI deployment in the EU adheres to ethical and legal standards​.
  • Google Analytics 4 for Law Firms
    Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has become a vital tool for law firms, offering insights into website performance with an event-based data model that tracks user interactions more accurately. This allows firms to make data-driven decisions, optimize user experiences, and improve client acquisition strategies .
  • EmotionTrac Prioritizes Human Expertise in AI Strategy
    EmotionTrac, a legal AI startup, emphasizes human oversight in its technology. While the company uses AI for tasks like emotion-tracking and jury analysis, it believes that the limitations of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT necessitate careful human involvement, particularly in ensuring accuracy and reliability in legal contexts .

This week, we sit down with Conrad Everhard, founding partner of Flatiron LLP, a pioneering law firm that has revolutionized M&A services with their innovative flat fee model. Conrad shares the fascinating origin story of Flatiron, its unique approach to legal services, and the challenges and successes they’ve encountered along the way.

Everhard recounts the inception of Flatiron LLP, co-founded with Mark Haddad and Lenny Nuara, former big law partners, who sought to modernize legal services post-financial crisis. Despite their elite backgrounds, reentering the private law firm space proved challenging due to their detachment from Big Law for a few years. Driven by their frustrations with Big Law’s resistance to change and the convergence of factors such as acceptance of virtual models and access to senior labor, they took the bold step of founding Flatiron. This new model law firm leverages technology and client-focused solutions to disrupt traditional legal services.

When it comes to Flatiron’s groundbreaking flat fee M&A services, Conrad explains that the motivation behind this disruptive approach was to bring more transparency, predictability, and cost-efficiency to the fee structure. Over several years, Flatiron has honed a model that relies on low overhead, innovative labor deployment, and technological advancements. They operate on a general contractor model, utilizing a network of expert contractors on a project basis, which allows them to offer high-quality services at a lower and more predictable cost compared to Big Law.

Conrad highlights Flatiron’s development of “Deal Driver,” a workstream efficiency platform that streamlines the M&A process. Initially created as an internal tool, Deal Driver organizes and manages data through each phase of a deal, incorporating AI and human intelligence to enhance efficiency. This platform has not only improved their internal processes but has also gained popularity among clients, leading to its spin-off as a proprietary platform. The success of Deal Driver underscores Flatiron’s commitment to innovation and client satisfaction.

Flatiron’s unique labor pool taps into senior associates and counsel with elite firm backgrounds who, for various reasons, seek alternative work environments. Flatiron offers better pay and a more flexible, engaging work culture, attracting highly skilled professionals. Conrad emphasizes the importance of their “coolness factor” in recruitment and client acquisition, noting their collaborations with Stanford Codex and the positive reception from private equity clients who appreciate their efficiency and data management capabilities.

In the crystal ball segment, Conrad speculates on the future of the legal industry. He predicts that traditional Big Law firms may eventually adopt more innovative models, possibly through spin-offs or off-brand ventures, to stay competitive. Additionally, he foresees alternative legal service providers and sandbox experiments in places like Utah and Arizona challenging the traditional legal market. Despite the potential for disruption, Conrad remains confident in Flatiron’s model, emphasizing the green field of opportunities ahead and their readiness to adapt and innovate continuously.

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Contact Us: 

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com
Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Flatiron LLP: ⁠flatiron.legal
Conrad Everhard on LinkedIn: ⁠Conrad Everhard⁠
Email: ⁠ceverhard@flatiron.legal⁠
Flatiron’s Deal Model
Negotiation Simulator
Demo at Codex
Article on Fixed M&A Deals

TRANSCRIPT

Continue Reading Inside Flatiron’s Flat-Rate M&A Model with Conrad Everhard