This is the weekend when I pack up my minivan with musical instruments and pretend to be a rock star. Every two years or so, a group of us at my law firm get together for our all firm retreat and jam to some classic rock tunes. While I play guitar, my real role is
Designing the Future of Law: Inside Faegre Drinker’s Legal Design Lab Relaunch
In a recent episode of “The Geek in Review” podcast, hosts Marlene Gebauer and Greg Lambert interviewed a team of innovation leaders from the law firm Faegre Drinker. The guests included Shawn Swearingen, Chief Innovation Officer; David Gross, Design Lab co-founder; and Ruben Gonzalez, Design Lab Director. The discussion centered around the relaunch of Faegre Drinker’s Legal Design Lab in Scottsdale, Arizona, exploring its origins, evolution, and impact on legal problem-solving.
The Legal Design Lab’s inception traces back eight or nine years when an associate at the firm, Helen Chacon, reconnected with her Stanford Law School friend Margaret Hagan, who was pioneering the concept of legal design. Intrigued by the idea of applying design thinking—a user-focused, empathetic approach to problem-solving long used in other industries—to the legal field, the firm embarked on a deep dive into the methodology. This included David (DJ) Gross auditing courses at Stanford’s D-School and team members like Kate Razavi designing courses on visual advocacy at the University of Minnesota Law School.
The relaunch and relocation of the Design Lab to Scottsdale were influenced by several factors, notably the firm’s merger that expanded its geographic footprint and the practical considerations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The move allowed the firm to acquire a significantly larger and more cost-effective space. With input from architects, designers, and Margaret Hagan herself, the new lab was designed to be a flexible, creative environment featuring movable furniture and an industrial aesthetic, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Throughout the podcast, the team shared concrete examples of how design thinking has been instrumental in solving complex legal challenges. One such example involved simplifying a profitability tool for lawyers by using a color-coded system akin to credit score reports, making it more accessible and actionable. Another highlighted the use of tennis balls to demystify crystallography during a jury trial, showcasing how visual aids and empathetic explanations can lead to successful outcomes. These instances underscore the lab’s focus on user-centric solutions and visual advocacy to enhance understanding and efficiency in legal processes.
The guests also discussed the challenges of integrating design thinking within the traditional legal framework, particularly in encouraging open-mindedness and collaborative participation among lawyers and clients. They emphasized the importance of a learning mindset, active listening, and the willingness to embrace creativity and risk-taking. To further disseminate these ideas, the team mentioned an eBook available on their website, aimed at introducing legal professionals to design thinking and visual advocacy concepts.
Links:
- Faegre Drinker Design Lab video
- Faegre Drinker Picks Arizona for the Next-Gen Design Lab, American Lawyer
- E-book – Design Thinking and Visual Advocacy for Lawyers Two Point Oh! (FREE)
- Innovations in Visual Advocacy – Leading the way for design thinking in law, Harvard Law School Center on the Legal Profession.
- Advancing Company Goals – Design sprints that unlock Innovation, Corporate Counsel.
Listen on mobile platforms: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Twitter: @gebauerm, or @glambert
Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com
Music: Jerry David DeCicca
TranscriptContinue Reading Designing the Future of Law: Inside Faegre Drinker’s Legal Design Lab Relaunch
The Evolution/Integration/Revolution of Document Management Systems in the Legal Industry
[Note: In preparation for the KM&I Conference later this week, I wanted to share some of my notes on the presentation that Laurent Wiesel and I are giving on the topic of Document Management Systems in the age of Generative AI. We only have 35 minutes to share our thoughts, so I wanted to compile my notes from interviews of leaders from NetDocuments, iManage, and LexisNexis and share with the audience. Hope to see many of you in NYC this week! – GL]
I. Executive Summary
The future of Document Management Systems (DMS) in the legal industry hinges on three distinct paths: Evolution, Integration, or Revolution. DMS solutions have long served as essential tools for organizing, storing, and retrieving legal documents and law firm knowledge, but the growing complexity and volume of legal data now demand more advanced capabilities. Traditional systems are showing their limits, and Knowledge Management (KM) professionals are at a critical crossroads where decisions must be made about how to move forward—by evolving existing systems, integrating new technologies, or embracing a revolutionary approach powered by Generative AI.
Through extensive conversations with leading vendors, including NetDocuments, iManage, LexisNexis Create, and Henchman, part of LexisNexis , this article explores how each path offers unique benefits to law firms and their KM teams. Evolutionary approaches involve enhancing existing DMS with AI-driven capabilities that automate document classification and retrieval. Integration focuses on seamlessly connecting DMS with other legal tech platforms, creating a unified ecosystem for data, workflow, and knowledge management. Finally, revolution—led by Generative AI—offers entirely new ways to automate drafting, deliver real-time insights, and transform how legal teams engage with knowledge.
For KM professionals, the choice among these paths is not merely technical but strategic. Evolving or integrating may offer incremental gains, but revolutionizing DMS with AI holds the potential for truly transformative change. As the vendors I spoke with demonstrate, these technologies can help firms unlock the full value of their knowledge assets, improve document workflows, and enhance client service delivery. By leading this charge, KM professionals can position their firms at the forefront of innovation, delivering a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing legal landscape.
Key takeaways for KM professionals include:
- Generative AI transforms DMS from static repositories into proactive, insight-driven platforms.
- AI-driven tools enhance the efficiency of document search, retrieval, and drafting, improving overall legal workflows.
- The adoption of AI in DMS offers significant opportunities for KM professionals to lead in the implementation of innovative solutions that maximize the firm’s knowledge assets and improve legal service delivery.
What. Just. Happened? (Week of 10-14-2024)
Lots of travel on my part this week, and I’m happy to be in New York at the KM&I conference with a few hundred of my closest KM friends.
Here’s a few things that I ran across this week in legal technology news.
Remember, you can track these stories with the AI Lawyer Talking Tech
Bridging Legal Practice and AI: K&L Gates and AltaClaro Innovate Legal Training
In this episode of The Geek in Review, hosts Marlene Gebauer and Greg Lambert are joined by Carolyn Austin, Director of Practice Innovation at K&L Gates; Brendan McDonnell, Partner at K&L Gates; and Abdi Shayesteh, CEO of AltaClaro. The conversation delves into innovative legal education strategies and the integration of generative AI in legal practice, highlighting how experiential learning platforms are shaping the future of legal training.
Abdi introduces AltaClaro’s experiential learning platform, designed to make lawyers practice-ready through simulation-based training. Utilizing a “Learn, Do, Review” methodology, the platform presents associates with real-world assignments, provides feedback from seasoned practitioners, and facilitates live review sessions. This approach aims to build confidence, enhance critical thinking skills, and improve efficiency among legal professionals by immersing them in practical scenarios that mirror actual legal work.
Brendan discusses K&L Gates’ longstanding commitment to innovation and education within the legal industry. He reflects on the firm’s history of embracing technology—such as developing one of the first e-discovery platforms—and its proactive stance on integrating generative AI into legal workflows. Recognizing the transformative potential of AI, K&L Gates formed an AI Solutions Group to prepare attorneys and allied professionals for the technological advancements reshaping legal practice.
Carolyn explains how K&L Gates collaborated with AltaClaro to develop specialized training programs focused on generative AI, including prompt engineering and supervisory courses. These programs address the challenges partners and managers face when integrating AI tools into their workflows, emphasizing ethical considerations, risk assessment, and effective supervision. The partnership ensures that all firm members, from associates to senior partners, are equipped with the necessary skills to use AI responsibly and effectively.
The guests explore the broader implications of AI adoption in the legal field, discussing challenges such as change management, ethical obligations, and the need for data-driven practices. They highlight the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Looking toward the future, they express optimism about AI’s potential to enhance legal services, improve access to justice, and drive innovation, emphasizing the critical role of education and adaptability in this transformation.
Listen on mobile platforms: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Twitter: @gebauerm, or @glambert
Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com
Music: Jerry David DeCicca
TranscriptContinue Reading Bridging Legal Practice and AI: K&L Gates and AltaClaro Innovate Legal Training
What. Just. Happened? (Week of 10-07-2024)
I’ve had a few conversations around the topic of Microsoft’s CoPilot and the usage and value that it will/might/could bring to our day-to-day work in the legal industry. To say that people had strong opinions would be an understatement. I found people who thought it brings great efficiency to the daily routines of lawyers and
Inside MinterEllison: A Case Study in Copilot Adoption with Amber O’Meara and Tim Andrews
This episode of “The Geek in Review” explores MinterEllison’s strategic adoption of Microsoft Copilot, delving into the practical implications and challenges of implementing generative AI within the legal industry. Guests Amber O’Meara, Head of Innovation, and Tim Andrews, Director of IT Operations, discuss the firm’s multifaceted approach to generative AI, emphasizing its potential to enhance client experiences, boost productivity, and empower their legal professionals by automating mundane tasks and allowing them to focus on more complex legal work. This strategic vision, endorsed by the firm’s leadership, drove their decision to participate in the Copilot Early Access Program, providing valuable insights and shaping their implementation strategy.
One of the key takeaways is MinterEllison’s measured and strategic rollout of Copilot. Rather than a firm-wide deployment, they opted for a phased approach, prioritizing specific personas and departments that would benefit most from the technology. Initial challenges included data jurisdiction limitations, the inherent “fear factor” of adopting new technology, and user inertia stemming from unmet expectations. The firm addressed these obstacles through a comprehensive training program, incorporating a dedicated “Gen AI Time” initiative, collaborative sessions with Microsoft, and a “reverse mentoring” program for partners. This multifaceted approach, coupled with internal communication and a knowledge-sharing platform, fostered enthusiasm and addressed concerns, leading to impressive user satisfaction and reported time savings.
MinterEllison’s training program played a crucial role in the successful adoption of Copilot. Combining internally developed resources with vendor-provided training, the program addressed both the technical aspects of using Copilot and the art of prompt engineering. The firm’s innovative approach of dedicating fee-credited time for generative AI training proved highly effective, incentivizing participation and demonstrating leadership commitment. This investment in their people, combined with gamification elements like their internal “Mint Coin” cryptocurrency, fostered a competitive spirit and encouraged active engagement in the learning process.
The podcast highlights the importance of prompt engineering in maximizing the effectiveness of Copilot. While initial user expectations often fell short due to simplistic prompts, the training program emphasized the need for detailed and nuanced prompts to achieve optimal results. This understanding, coupled with the recognition that Copilot excels at content generation rather than computational tasks, significantly improved user satisfaction. The firm also acknowledges the importance of maintaining a “human in the loop” to validate outputs and mitigate potential inaccuracies or “hallucinations” generated by the AI. They anticipate the future ability to share custom prompts within the firm, further streamlining workflows and enhancing collaborative efforts.
Finally, the conversation touches on the broader impact of generative AI on the legal industry. MinterEllison envisions a future where AI tools are widely adopted, reshaping traditional law firm models and creating new roles focused on innovation and technology. They emphasize the importance of ongoing collaboration, both internally and within the legal community, to address client privacy concerns, share best practices, and navigate the evolving landscape of AI in law. The firm’s commitment to responsible AI usage, guided by their “Lighthouse Principles” and an AI steering committee, underscores their dedication to ethical implementation and client data security. They also see the potential for generative AI to contribute to access to justice initiatives and support social impact work, highlighting the transformative potential of these technologies beyond the traditional boundaries of legal practice.
Links:
Amber (Burgess) O’Meara | LinkedIn
Tim Andrews | LinkedIn
MinterEllison: Overview | LinkedIn
MinterEllison – MinterEllison
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Twitter: @gebauerm, or @glambert
Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com
Music: Jerry David DeCicca
Transcript
What. Just. Happened? (Week of 09-30-2024)
It is probably just an odd coincidence that the two top things that caught my eye were legal innovations out of Arizona, the same week when I am going to Arizona for a weekend getaway with my lovely wife. But is seems that the weather is not the only hot thing happening in The Grand
Unveiling Lexis Protégé’s Personalized AI Revolution With Serena Wellen
This week, we welcome back Serena Wellen, Vice President of Product Management at LexisNexis Legal and Professional, to discuss the newly launched Lexis Protégé tool. This advanced AI assistant is designed to enhance legal professionals’ workflows by personalizing responses based on individual user profiles, including practice areas, jurisdictions, and document management systems. Wellen emphasizes that the future of AI lies in personalization, enabling Protégé to understand user habits and preferences, thereby improving its utility in legal settings.
Serena elaborates on how Protégé collects user data and integrates with existing document management systems (DMS). The setup process includes heavy lifting from LexisNexis, ensuring that the AI understands user roles and permissions, and can access relevant documents seamlessly. She stresses the importance of transparency and user control in the personalization process, allowing users to opt in or out of certain features as they see fit. This approach ensures that the use of Protégé aligns with the unique needs of individual law firms and practitioners.
Integration with Microsoft 365 applications like Word and Outlook is another significant feature of Protégé. Wellen explains that legal professionals spend a considerable amount of their time in Microsoft tools, and the AI’s ability to enhance productivity within these familiar environments is crucial. With features such as smart drafting tools, automated legal requests, and contextual awareness of user actions, Protégé aims to streamline workflows and reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks. The seamless connection between Protégé and Microsoft applications represents a shift toward more efficient legal research and document drafting processes.
Serena also addresses the pressing concerns of security, privacy, and data protection in AI applications. LexisNexis prioritizes the security of customer data by utilizing advanced encryption and private cloud infrastructures. Importantly, she clarifies that customer data is not used to train their models, maintaining confidentiality and trust. By ensuring that users have control over their data and how it is used, LexisNexis aims to alleviate fears surrounding the adoption of AI technology in the legal sector.
Finally, she shares insights on future developments for Protégé, including the incorporation of voice commands and horizon scanning features, which will further enhance legal research capabilities. As AI continues to evolve, Wellen envisions a future where legal professionals can engage with technology in more intuitive ways, allowing them to focus on the complexities of their work without being bogged down by manual processes. Overall, the conversation highlights the transformative potential of AI in the legal industry, underscoring LexisNexis’s commitment to supporting legal professionals with innovative, personalized tools.
Listen on mobile platforms: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Twitter: @gebauerm, or @glambert
Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com
Music: Jerry David DeCicca
Transcript
Continue Reading Unveiling Lexis Protégé’s Personalized AI Revolution With Serena Wellen
What. Just. Happened? (Week of 09-23-2024)
This week featured a “Proud Parent” moment for myself as I watched my son, Dean, go to his first legal technology conference in Chicago. Dean was a Relativity Scholar this year and has been working on learning the ropes in e-discovery for the past few months. It is exciting to watch as a new generation