It’s that time of year when not only has Summer decided to make one last appearance, but so have legal conferences. Legal Value Network’s LVNx, Legal Technology Hub, Legal Marketing Association’s Northeast Region, i.WILL + SIM, Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, just to name the ones that are on my LinkedIn feed this morning. It seems that conference season continues year-round. Hopefully, everyone is having fun, reconnecting with colleagues, and are learning what’s new in the industry (and not just with AI.)

It also seems to be the week of acquisitions in the legal technology and AI world. There were acquisitions in learning platforms (BARBRI/SkillBurst), data analytics and CRM (Nexl/Databall), and foundational AI tools (Workday/Evisort). In this market, a handful of acquisition announcements may just be the norm for this environment of technology advancements.

Speaking of acquisitions, Bob Ambrogi also ran a four-part series on the Shrinking Ownership of Law Practice Management. Bob wonders how small the market can get, and what the long-term implications are for the marketplace. Great series, and worth checking out.

Of course, OpenAI’s launch of o1 “Strawberry” brings the AI Agents process (which we’ve covered for months now) into the mainstream. As foundational LLMs may have reached their individual thresholds for the time being, AI Agents are bringing in some advancements until some genius in a garage figures out how to make the next leap in LLM technology.

So, enjoy the last bit of hot weather, and cool conferences. 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.

The Shrinking Ownership of Law Practice Management
The four-part series on LawNext explores the increasing consolidation in the law practice management technology market, which is now dominated by just six ownership groups. It traces the evolution from a diverse marketplace to a more consolidated one due to numerous acquisitions over the past six years. This trend has both positive and negative implications for consumers, such as increased resources for development but reduced competition. The series concludes by examining future development opportunities and the potential impact on pricing and innovation in the sector​.

BARBRI Acquires SkillBurst Interactive, Expands Legal Training Offerings
BARBRI, a prominent legal education provider, has acquired SkillBurst Interactive, a company known for its on-demand learning platforms for legal professionals. This acquisition strengthens BARBRI’s portfolio by adding a Legal Innovation Lab dedicated to developing training programs in emerging technologies like generative AI, aimed at preparing the next generation of lawyers for the evolving legal landscape​.

Nexl Acquires Databall to Enhance Legal CRM Capabilities
Nexl, a leader in legal business transformation, has acquired Databall, a legal data platform specializing in advanced analytics. This acquisition merges Nexl’s client relationship management platform with Databall’s data analytics capabilities, offering law firms enhanced insights and growth opportunities. This strategic move positions Nexl as a top legal-specific CRM and client intelligence platform, strengthening its competitive edge in the legal tech market​.

Evisort Acquired by Workday, Signaling AI Market Consolidation
The legal AI market has seen significant consolidation, with early pioneers like Evisort being acquired by larger companies such as Workday. This trend reflects the maturation of the legal AI sector and the transition from foundational AI tools to more advanced generative AI solutions. These acquisitions pave the way for the next wave of innovation in the legal technology landscape​.

OpenAI’s o1 “Strawberry” Model Revolutionizes Legal AI
OpenAI’s newly released “Strawberry” o1 model marks a significant advancement in legal AI. This model moves beyond imitation to genuine reasoning, enabling more complex problem-solving in legal research, contract management, and e-discovery. The o1 model’s potential to improve case outcome predictions and assist in ethical decision-making positions it as a groundbreaking tool for the legal sector.

Filevine Introduces Depo CoPilot for AI-Powered Depositions
Legal tech innovator Filevine has unveiled Depo CoPilot, an AI-powered tool designed to assist attorneys during depositions. Depo CoPilot transcribes and analyzes testimony in real-time, providing insights, tracking deposition goals, and suggesting follow-up questions. This technology represents a significant advancement in leveraging AI to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of legal proceedings.

Thomson Reuters Institute: Law Firms Prioritize AI Implementation
Despite a surge in law firm productivity in Q2 2024, largely driven by increased legal demand and higher worked rates, generative AI’s impact on billable hours remains uncertain. However, over 50% of surveyed firms have identified AI implementation as a top priority, indicating a growing focus on leveraging AI to automate routine tasks and enhance efficiency in the legal sector.

California Enacts Law to Combat Political Deepfakes
In a proactive move to safeguard election integrity, California has enacted a law banning the creation and distribution of political deepfakes 120 days before and 60 days after Election Day. This law requires social media platforms with over a million users in California to label or remove deepfakes within 72 hours of receiving a complaint, aiming to reduce the spread of deceptive AI-generated content during election period.

Eve Legal Tech Startup Introduces AI Agents and Blueprints for Document Customization
Eve, a legal tech startup focused on plaintiff-side firms, has released new features such as AI Agents, Blueprints, and In-Line Editing. These tools enhance legal document creation by dynamically adapting to document nuances and allowing real-time adjustments. Eve’s innovations are designed to help smaller law firms compete with larger firms by streamlining document workflows and improving efficiency.

Consilio Launches Guided AI Review for Document Review Efficiency
Consilio, a global leader in legal technology solutions, has introduced Guided AI Review, an innovative document review solution that combines custom AI algorithms with experienced, AI-trained document review experts. This hybrid approach addresses the risks of using AI alone, such as inaccuracies and biases, by incorporating human oversight to ensure accurate and efficient reviews. This new solution aims to close the “AI Trust Gap” by providing a balanced approach to AI-driven legal reviews​.

It’s Friday the 13th, so hopefully everyone left cookies and milk out for Jason Vorhees last night to keep him happy.

This week saw a few “launches” of new and updated products, primarily dealing with integrating AI agents into their products. OpenAI learned how many r’s there are in strawberry, vLex turned Vincent AI into a full-blown legal workflow platform, and BRYTER leveraged AI agents to build a new data extraction tool. While we are still waiting for GPT-5, it seems that there are a lot of iterative enhancements going on to keep us satisfied for a few more weeks.

If you are still looking for use cases for AI, then Thomson Reuters and others have some examples for corporate counsel and others to (hopefully) reduce the time and money it takes to handle business problems of the legal variety.

Have a nice weekend everyone. I’m headed to only my second ever Major League Soccer (MLS) game this weekend now that the weather has turned “fall-like.” And by “fall-like”, I mean under 90 degrees in the Texas evenings.

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.

vLex Unveils Major Upgrade to Vincent AI
vLex has upgraded its AI research assistant, Vincent AI, introducing new tools for transactional tasks and litigation work. The update includes deeper integration with Docket Alarm, providing legal professionals with more robust litigation data and analysis.

Osborne Clarke Claims GPT-4o Surpasses Harvey AI
Osborne Clarke has claimed that its GPT-4o model outperforms Harvey AI’s legal tool in recent BigLaw Bench tests, highlighting the importance of prompt engineering. This development underscores the need for standardized evaluation criteria for legal AI.

OpenAI’s o1 Models Boost Legal AI Capabilities
OpenAI’s o1 models are revolutionizing legal AI by improving document revision processes and enhancing agentic workflows. These models are expected to transform legal practices by making AI agents more effective in navigating the complex and subjective nature of legal tasks​.

BRYTER Launches AI Extract Agent
BRYTER, a leader in legal automation, has unveiled the AI-powered BRYTER Extract Agent. This tool integrates contract review and data extraction with legal workflows, streamlining processes and enhancing document management. By combining large language models with BRYTER’s platform, it allows legal professionals to automate time-consuming tasks such as contract review and information extraction.

Jus Mundi Secures $22 Million to Launch Jus AI
Jus Mundi has secured $22 million to develop its AI-powered arbitration assistant, Jus AI, which supports legal professionals with multilingual responses, document summarization, and translation. This investment will expand the company’s AI reach globally, enhancing workflow efficiency in over 80 countries.

Noslegal’s Open-Source Legal Data Standards Gain Adoption
Noslegal’s open-source legal data standards have been widely adopted by major law firms, including A&O Shearman. These standards help firms improve data management and streamline AI implementation through a modular taxonomy.

AI Convention on Global AI Principles Signed
The Council of Europe has introduced the first international treaty on AI systems, signed by the US, UK, and EU. The AI Convention aims to regulate AI’s lifecycle, ensuring transparency, reliability, and compliance with human rights.

Pricing AI-driven legal services: The billable hour is dead, long live the billable hour
Legal experts predict advancements in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) could disrupt the traditional billable hour model for legal services. As GenAI takes over mundane tasks, the time spent on legal matters will significantly decrease, leading to a shift from the labor theory of value to the marginal theory of value for pricing. Law firms and clients will have to embrace the concept of setting prices based on the utility and worth of legal services to the client, rather than the cost of providing them.

Building Better Lawyers: Rachael Bosch on Brain-Based Coaching and Communication in Law Firms
Poor communication, especially passive or aggressive behavior, negatively impacts workplace productivity. Brain-based coaching leverages neuroscience to improve communication skills and emotional intelligence, while also addressing generational conflicts between partners and associates regarding work-life balance and boundaries.

Thomson Reuters Survey Highlights AI’s Potential Time Savings for Corporate Counsel
A Thomson Reuters survey reveals that corporate law departments using AI could save up to 200 hours per year, potentially boosting productivity by 10%. The AI-driven efficiencies allow lawyers to handle additional workloads or focus on strategic initiatives.

Sheppard Mullin Hires Kate Cain As Chief Knowledge And Innovation Officer, Elevates Keri Gavin To Chief Financial Officer
Sheppard Mullin has appointed Kate Cain as the new Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer, where she will focus on integrating artificial intelligence technologies and advancing the firm’s data and knowledge management strategies.

This week we talk with Ed Walters from VLex to explore the Autumn 2024 release of VLex’s Vincent AI platform. Ed discusses a series of transformative updates that are turning Vincent AI from a legal research tool into a comprehensive platform that integrates drafting, transactional, and research tasks. These updates include new workflow tools, redlining capabilities, and an innovative feature called Prompt Assist, which enables users to have more control over the AI’s responses by asking follow-up questions to refine their queries. This added transparency and auditability make Vincent AI more user-friendly and trustworthy, as Ed highlights throughout the discussion.

One key feature of the Autumn 2024 release is the introduction of multi-turn conversations within the AI’s responses. This enhancement allows users to continue asking follow-up questions, enabling a deeper exploration of legal issues without needing to start from scratch each time. We discuss how this mirrors tools like Perplexity, where AI can provide follow-up prompts to help users navigate complex inquiries. Vincent AI goes further by asking clarifying questions to ensure the results are tailored to the specific needs of the user, such as identifying which party is at risk in a contract.

Ed emphasizes that legal professionals are not just conducting research for academic curiosity—they need actionable tools integrated into their workflow. Vincent AI’s new capabilities, such as drafting briefs or analyzing redlines, reflect this shift by focusing on providing immediate, actionable insights. Ed explains how these workflow tools enable lawyers to dive straight into their work instead of first sifting through research results, creating a more efficient and integrated process for legal professionals.

A significant highlight of the episode is the introduction of VIDA (Vincent in Docket Alarm), a new feature that combines VLex’s Vincent AI with Docket Alarm’s vast repository of court documents. This integration allows legal professionals to conduct deeper analyses of litigation trends, law firm strategies, and individual lawyer performance, offering unprecedented insight into how cases are being handled. Ed humorously mentions a suggestion from the VLex team to call this feature “DIVA” (Dockets in Vincent AI), but for now, it remains VIDA. This new development provides law firms with enhanced analytical capabilities to explore their own practices and those of competitors.

Finally, the episode concludes with Greg and Ed discussing the broader implications of these tools for law firms, especially in managing large, multi-jurisdictional projects. Ed explains how the 50-state survey feature, a traditionally burdensome task, can now be completed in minutes, making it easier for firms to scan legal landscapes across the U.S. and globally. As Greg points out, this capability not only streamlines the process for legal teams but also creates new opportunities for firms to offer innovative services to clients. Throughout the episode, the conversation showcases how Vincent AI’s latest updates are pushing the boundaries of legal technology.

Links:
– https://www.vlex.com/vincent

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Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript

Continue Reading vLex’s Autumn ’24 Update: Show and Tell with Ed Walters

This week, we sit down with ⁠Rachael Bosch⁠, the founder and managing director of ⁠Fringe Professional Development⁠, to discuss the importance of communication and leadership development within the legal industry. Rachael, with her extensive background in law firm talent management and certifications from prestigious institutions like the NeuroLeadership Institute, Harvard Law School, and Cornell University, offers valuable insights into the role of brain-based coaching in fostering effective workplace environments. Her passion for helping professionals grow and succeed shines through as she discusses her journey from a decade-long career in law firm talent management to founding Fringe Professional Development.

Rachael explains her decision to leave a stable career at Paul Hastings to start her own company, citing her love for professional development and her growing interest in communication challenges within law firms. She describes how these challenges often stem from poor communication practices, such as being too direct, too passive, or using the wrong platform, which can lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies. Rachael’s background in theatrical performance also contributes to her fascination with human behavior and motivation, which she has channeled into developing innovative training programs that focus on improving workplace communication and leadership.

The conversation delves into the concept of brain-based coaching, a method that combines neuroscience and leadership development to help professionals understand and improve their communication and leadership skills. Rachael emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in effective communication, noting that many professionals struggle with these aspects. She explains how brain-based coaching helps individuals recognize cognitive distortions and other psychological barriers that can hinder their ability to communicate effectively. By grounding coaching in neuroscience, Rachael is able to offer a more fact-based approach that resonates with her often-skeptical audience of lawyers.

Rachael also shares some of the challenges she has faced in promoting coaching within law firms, particularly the resistance from attorneys who believe that only other attorneys can truly understand their issues. She argues that the “clarity of distance”—the idea that a coach who is not deeply entrenched in the legal industry can offer a more objective perspective—is actually a strength in coaching. Additionally, Rachael highlights the importance of upward feedback in professional development, describing how Fringe Professional Development’s tools help law firms gather and utilize feedback to improve leadership and team dynamics.

Rachael predicts that the legal industry will face a conflict between a new generation of partners who deeply care about creating supportive work environments and a new generation of associates who maintain a more detached, boundary-driven approach to work. She emphasizes the need for bridging this gap to create cohesive, caring teams. Rachael’s insights provide valuable takeaways for legal professionals looking to improve their communication and leadership skills, as well as for firms aiming to create more human-centered workplace cultures.

Fringe Professional Development Toolkit

Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Transcript

Continue Reading Building Better Lawyers: Rachael Bosch on Brain-Based Coaching and Communication in Law Firms

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.

Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Links:

Contact Us: 

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com

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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Contact Us: 

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

Contact Information:

Legal Technology Hub Website