Alright, folks, buckle up your legal tech seatbelts, because something interesting just landed on the tarmac. You know how we geeks over here at 3 Geeks and the Geek in Review love to dissect the latest moves in the legal innovation world? Well, Cleary Gottlieb, yes that Cleary Gottlieb, just went out and acquired Springbok AI. Not partnered, not invested, but straight-up acquired. That’s like a BigLaw firm deciding they’re not just going to order pizza, but that they’re buying the whole pizza chain!
Now, for those of you who may not know, Springbok AI is a company out of London focused on building generative AI tools specifically for legal workflows. Their flagship platform, SpringLaw, aims to help firms create their own custom AI solutions, from automating workflows to whipping up documents. Think of it as a legal tech Lego set powered by large language models (LLMs).
So, what does this mean for the actual delivery of legal services? For too long, legal tech felt like an add-on, a separate layer. But Cleary’s move signals a deeper integration, a recognition that AI isn’t just a tool, it’s becoming fundamental to how premium legal work gets done. As Cleary Managing Partner Michael Gerstenzang put it, their innovation strategy is all about “the integration of AI and data analytics into our workflows, as a means to elevate our delivery of legal services to clients”. It’s about making things faster, smarter, and more transparent.
What about cheaper? Maybe (probably not)??
One of the key takeaways here is the focus on custom AI-powered solutions. Instead of relying solely on off-the-shelf products, Cleary is bringing in the expertise to build tools tailored to their specific practice areas and client needs. Victoria Albrecht, Springbok’s co-founder and CEO (who is joining Cleary, by the way, along with a team of 10 data scientists and AI engineers), hit the nail on the head: “Cleary has never been one to follow trends – they set them”. This acquisition gives them the immediate horsepower to create that differentiated offering.
Now, let’s talk about the “AI Acceleration team”. This isn’t just about buying some software; it’s about embedding an entire team of experts directly into the firm. Why is this important? Because building and deploying effective AI in a legal context requires a deep understanding of both the technology and the intricacies of legal practice. You can’t just throw a generic AI at a complex legal problem and expect magic. This team, with their “proven track record in creating bespoke AI builds and products”, will be working directly with different practice groups and even clients to identify where AI can provide the most value – things like “data analytics, AI-powered summarization, automation in data gathering, and insights on that data”. It’s about strategic implementation, not just adoption.
And speaking of strategy, the planned close collaboration between the AI Acceleration team and the practicing lawyers is crucial. This ensures that the AI solutions being developed are practical and address real-world legal challenges. As Ilona Logvinova, Cleary’s Director of Practice Innovation, emphasized, this move is deeply rooted in client centricity. They’re not just innovating for the sake of innovation; they’re aiming to serve their clients in a “differentiated, elevated way”.
Now, let’s pivot to something equally significant, at least in my book: the leadership. This “AI Acceleration team” is essentially being co-led by two women, Victoria Albrecht and Ilona Logvinova. In a legal tech world that still sometimes feels a bit like a boys’ club, this is a noteworthy development. Victoria, as the co-founder and CEO of Springbok, brings the deep technical expertise and entrepreneurial drive. Ilona, as the Director of Practice Innovation at a major firm like Cleary, brings the crucial understanding of the firm’s culture, client needs, and how to integrate new technologies effectively.
While the sources I’ve read don’t explicitly discuss the gender dynamics of this acquisition, but in my opinion, having women in these key leadership roles sends a powerful message. It suggests a forward-thinking approach not just to technology but also to who is shaping that technology within the legal industry. Diverse leadership often leads to more innovative and well-rounded solutions, as different perspectives are brought to the table. Seeing women at the helm of such a significant AI initiative within a top-tier law firm can hopefully inspire more diverse leadership roles in legal tech.
This move by Cleary isn’t happening in a vacuum. The legal industry is increasingly recognizing the transformative potential of AI. While many firms have been dipping their toes in through partnerships or gradual internal development, Cleary’s acquisition represents a bold and definitely a more direct approach. Some analysts have even drawn comparisons to Simmons & Simmons’ acquisition of Wavelength in the UK, suggesting a similar strategic intent to rapidly build expertise.
Ultimately, Cleary Gottlieb’s acquisition of Springbok AI and the formation of their AI Acceleration team, led by a talented duo, signals a significant shift. It’s not just about adopting AI; it’s about owning the development and integration of AI to fundamentally reshape how legal services are delivered. This could very well be a harbinger of things to come, and I’ll be watching closely to see how this bold move plays out.
What do you all think? Is this the future of BigLaw and AI?