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:

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Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 

Transcript

Continue Reading Designing the Future of Law: Inside Faegre Drinker’s Legal Design Lab Relaunch

[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.

Continue Reading The Evolution/Integration/Revolution of Document Management Systems in the Legal Industry

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 podcast (Spotify or Apple) which covers legal tech news and summarizes stories on a daily basis.

 

  • The Evolution/Integration/Revolution of Document Management Systems in the Legal Industry
    At this week’s KM&I Conference, Greg Lambert and Laurent Wiesel talked about the direction Document Management Systems are going in the age of Generative AI. Is it an evolution of slow incremental changes, an integration of third party enhancements, or a revolution where we wipe the slate clean and start all over?
  • ContractPodAI and KPMG Alliance
    ContractPodAI, a leading provider of contract lifecycle management (CLM) solutions, has announced a strategic alliance with KPMG to revolutionize managed legal services. This partnership will leverage advanced AI capabilities to streamline contract processes and mitigate risks for clients. The collaboration highlights the increasing role of AI in transforming legal services worldwide​.
  • Litera’s 3.0 Strategy
    Litera has launched its latest product version, Litera 3.0, which aims to position the company as an “experience company” by enhancing document automation and workflow management. The new features include a visual process builder and intelligent task routing, which streamline legal workflows and offer a more seamless experience for legal professionals​.
  • Here’s how Cleary Gottlieb law firm uses genAI for pre-trial discovery
    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is harnessing the power of generative AI to transform its legal practice. The firm has adopted GenAI for a range of tasks, including pre-trial discovery, due diligence, and contract review. GenAI’s ability to summarize large volumes of documents, identify key issues, and generate insights has significantly reduced the time and effort required for these tasks, allowing attorneys to focus on more strategic and complex matters. The implementation of GenAI at Cleary Gottlieb is a testament to the growing adoption of legal technology and AI in the legal industry, as firms seek to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and improve client service.
  • VAIOT’s AI-Powered Legal Assistant
    VAIOT is set to introduce exciting new features in Q4 2024, including an AI-powered legal research assistant and document automation tools. These innovations are part of the company’s strategy to empower clients with user-friendly legal tech solutions, cementing VAIOT’s role as a forward-thinking leader in the legal tech space​.
  • Bloomberg Law Partners with GenAI for Contract Assistant
    Bloomberg Law has teamed up with GenAI to create a new AI-powered contract assistant. This tool aims to automate contract analysis, provide real-time guidance, and improve drafting accuracy, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of legal professionals in managing legal agreements​.
  • Shoosmiths and Enzai Launch AI-Powered Compliance Platform
    Shoosmiths and Enzai have unveiled a cutting-edge AI compliance platform that automates the identification and mitigation of compliance risks. This platform provides real-time updates and alerts, helping legal teams proactively manage regulatory changes and streamline compliance processes​.
  • K&L Gates and AltaClaro’s AI-Powered Legal Training
    K&L Gates and AltaClaro have collaborated to launch an AI-driven legal training platform that uses natural language processing to simulate real-world scenarios. This innovative approach enhances the skills of lawyers by providing personalized feedback and improving knowledge retention​.
  • Ngage Intelligence’s Microsoft Copilot Module
    Ngage Intelligence has announced a new module for Microsoft Copilot, called “Legal Assist.” This AI-powered tool helps lawyers draft better contracts by identifying potential issues and providing real-time suggestions. This advancement marks a significant step in automating contract drafting processes​.
  • AI-Enhanced Legal Services at Baker McKenzie
    Keo Technologies has partnered with Baker McKenzie to provide enhanced AI-powered contract review capabilities. This collaboration combines Keo’s AI platform with Baker McKenzie’s legal expertise, aiming to streamline contract analysis, improve risk assessment, and optimize legal service delivery​.
  • Luminance’s AI-Driven Contract Review Adoption
    Luminance has successfully implemented its AI platform within its own legal team, resulting in a 65% reduction in time spent on contract review. This case study demonstrates the transformative potential of AI in optimizing legal processes, allowing legal teams to focus on strategic tasks​.
  • UAE’s Free Economic Zone to Introduce Legal Framework for DAOs
    A new legal framework for Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) will be introduced by the UAE’s free economic zone. This development aims to facilitate innovation in blockchain-based governance models, reflecting the zone’s commitment to fostering cutting-edge legal technologies​.

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.

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Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 

Transcript

Continue Reading Bridging Legal Practice and AI: K&L Gates and AltaClaro Innovate Legal Training

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 legal professionals alike. Surveys of CoPilot users within one law firm showed that 89% of users saved 2-5 hours a week on routine tasks. Another 71% said that it improved team efficiency. So there’s lots of potential in CoPilot to help with the mundane.

However, I also found people who thought that it simply just didn’t work very well, and basic tasks that you would assume it could do, it either doesn’t do at all, or it does it so poorly that you spend more time cleaning up the results than you would have spent creating the output in the first place.

I also learned that “CoPilot” isn’t a single tool, but rather a series of individual tools that work directly in each of the MS Office 365 products. And, apparently, these tools don’t talk to one another. Remember that CoPilot officially launched back in March of this year. It has barely celebrated its half-birthday. There is both a lot of trust (mainly from the IT folks) in the productivity and effectiveness of CoPilot, and a lot of dissatisfaction (mainly from the end users) that it simply doesn’t produce a solid return on investment. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle of these two views, but its one of those things where only time, effort, and a lot of money is going to tell the final story. Check out my talk with MinterEllison’s Innovation team about their experiences with CoPilot to hear one side of the discussion.

Also, congrats to Stephanie Wilkins on her new role at Legaltech Hub. That is quickly becoming a big-time team at LTH and I’m sure that Nikki, Chris, and Jeroen are already looking to the next big thing to help build LTH into a driver of innovation and product showcase resource for the legal industry.

So, enjoy this week’s overview of news that I found interesting. 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.

 

MinterEllison Adopts AI-Powered Copilot
MinterEllison, a leading Australian law firm, recently implemented the use of Copilot, an AI-powered code completion tool. Amber O’Meara, the firm’s Innovation and Technology Director, and Tim Andrews, their Head of Client Solutions, discussed the firm’s experience with Copilot and its potential to enhance legal productivity. According to O’Meara, Copilot has been well-received by the firm’s lawyers and has helped them save time and improve the quality of their work. Andrews noted that Copilot is particularly beneficial for tasks such as drafting standard documents and research, freeing up lawyers to focus on more complex and value-added tasks. However, they emphasized the importance of using Copilot as a tool to augment and support lawyers’ knowledge and skills rather than as a replacement for legal expertise.

Legaltech News Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Wilkins Moves to Legaltech Hub
Stephanie Wilkins, the editor-in-chief of Legaltech News, has joined Legaltech Hub as director of content. In her new role, Wilkins will help develop and drive the content strategy for Legaltech Hub, creating resources for law firms, corporate legal departments, and vendors. She praised Legaltech Hub’s approach to legal technology coverage and expressed excitement about contributing to its growth. This move underscores the growing significance of Legaltech Hub in the legal industry and its commitment to providing high-quality content for professionals.

White & Case Appoints New Chief Marketing and Chief Innovation Officers
White Case LLP has appointed Michele Murphy as Chief Marketing Officer and Matthew Umhofer as Chief Innovation Officer. Murphy, a marketing and business development executive with over 25 years of experience, will lead the firm’s global marketing, communications, and business development efforts. Umhofer, a technology and innovation leader with over 20 years of experience, will drive the firm’s innovation strategy, including the development and implementation of new technologies, processes, and service offerings.

DraftWise Partners with Cohere to Refine AI Document Drafting
DraftWise has teamed up with Cohere to enhance the accuracy of its AI-powered legal document drafting platform. By integrating Cohere’s advanced NLP capabilities, the partnership aims to refine the retrieval of legal information, improving the efficiency and precision of drafting complex legal documents​.

ClioCon 2024: Legal Trends Report plus all the latest news and interviews
From ClioCon 2024, the annual legal trends report highlights the continuing evolution of the legal industry. This year’s survey revealed that over 80% of law firms now use legal technology, with cloud-based software, AI-powered tools, and data analytics leading the charge. The report emphasizes the increasing importance of online legal services, citing the growing demand for remote access to legal assistance. The survey also addresses concerns over data security and privacy, highlighting the need for robust measures to protect sensitive client information in the digital age. Overall, ClioCon 2024 underscores the transformative impact of legal technology, shaping the future of the legal profession and empowering firms to meet modern challenges.

Summize Launches AI Redlining Solution that Mirrors True Lawyer Behavior
Summize, an AI-driven legal solutions provider, has introduced a groundbreaking solution that tackles redlining in the legal industry. The AI system, trained on vast amounts of legal data, mirrors the behavior of experienced attorneys and comprehensively assesses contracts while flagging potentially unfair or discriminatory clauses. Not only does this tool provide efficient and accurate contract review, but it also promotes ethical and equitable outcomes by mitigating redlining, a systemic issue that disproportionately affects marginalized communities.

Establishing GenAI literacy in courts: ​An ethics guide for judges & court administrators
The American Bar Association’s Center for Professional Responsibility has published an ethics guide to assist attorneys in using artificial intelligence and machine learning in court. The guide emphasizes the importance of transparency, accuracy, fairness, and bias mitigation when utilizing AI and ML systems in legal proceedings. It encourages lawyers to assess the reliability and limitations of such systems and to disclose their use to judges and opposing counsel. By establishing ethical standards for the use of AI and ML in courts, the guide aims to ensure the responsible and equitable application of these technologies in the legal profession.

Yale Law School introduces numerous AI-focused initiatives
Yale Law School is investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) research and education. The school has launched several new initiatives, including a new AI Policy Lab, an AI concentration in its JD program, and an AI certificate for non-law students. The AI Policy Lab will focus on the legal and policy implications of AI, while the AI concentration and certificate will provide students with the knowledge and skills to work with AI in a variety of legal settings. Yale Law School is also investing in AI research, with a particular focus on developing AI tools that can help lawyers with their work.

 

 

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

Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 

Transcript

Continue Reading Inside MinterEllison: A Case Study in Copilot Adoption with Amber O’Meara and Tim Andrews

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 Canyon State. Phoenix-based Fennemore is continuing its impressive growth and strategic goals of innovating the practice of law with its Project BlueWave of automation, AI, and AFAs. As well as Faegre Drinker (I’m still getting use to this newish name) relaunching their Design Lab in lovely Scottsdale, Arizona. Makes me think that I should get out to Arizona more often.

Another “hot” item this week is the announcement that both McDermott and Akin Gump added Directors of AI Innovation. Jeff Westcott has joined Akin to oversee the integration of AI into client services, while Christopher Cyrus has been appointed at McDermott to explore and implement cutting-edge AI solutions. Congrats to both.

And finally, the amazing collaboration between Stephanie Wilkins, Rhys Dipshan, Isha Marathe, and Cassandre Coyer gave us a fun and very useful glossary of AI terms on the law.com site. This is definitely worth reviewing and even I learned a few new words of the trade.

So, enjoy this week’s overview of news that I found interesting. 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.

Fennemore Launches Project BlueWave and Lucent Law Collab
Fennemore has launched Project BlueWave, an innovative initiative aimed at transforming legal services through AI, automation, and alternative pricing models. The firm also announced its combination with Lucent Law, a technology-driven boutique firm, to enhance its capabilities in delivering efficient, client-focused legal solutions.

Faegre Drinker Relaunches Legal Design Lab in Scottsdale
Faegre Drinker has relaunched its Design Lab in Scottsdale, Arizona, enhancing its commitment to innovation in legal services through design thinking and visual communication. Originally established in partnership with Stanford University’s Legal Design Lab, the Scottsdale location aims to better support clients in solving complex legal challenges and developing effective trial strategies​.

The Artificial Intelligence Glossary
I usually don’t share articles behind a paywall, but this glossary of terms compiled by Stephanie Wilkins, Rhys Dipshan, Isha Marathe, and Cassandre Coyer is fantastic. There were a few terms that were new to me… like “cheapfake.” Great compilation by the law.com group.

LexisNexis Unveils Personalized AI Tool ‘Lexis Protégé’
LexisNexis continues to lead in AI-powered legal research with the introduction of Lexis Protégé. This new tool personalizes the legal research experience by offering tailored content recommendations based on the user’s specific needs, dramatically improving efficiency for legal professionals. The tool marks a significant advancement in integrating AI into legal workflows.

MyCase Announces Major AI and Accounting Enhancements
MyCase, a leading law practice management platform, introduced three significant updates this week, including the AI conversational interface MyCase IQ, enhancements to its accounting module, and an immigration add-on powered by Docketwise. These features streamline case management, offer enhanced accounting functionalities, and provide a comprehensive immigration case management solution, demonstrating MyCase’s commitment to legal tech innovation.

Linklaters Launches GenAI Training Programme
Global law firm Linklaters unveiled its GenAI Expert Training Programme, designed to deepen its lawyers’ understanding of generative AI (GenAI) and its applications in legal practice. This program, launched in collaboration with King’s College London, equips lawyers with practical skills in AI use cases and prompt engineering, marking a significant step in AI-driven legal education​.

The Evolution of Document Drafting: A Conversation with Jeff Pfeifer about LSA, Henchman and Lexis Generative AI Solutions
In a recent development in legal technology, LexisNexis has unveiled an enhanced document drafting solution by merging its Lexis Search Advantage (LSA) and Henchman products. This innovation, called Lexis Create DMS (formerly Henchman), provides lawyers with access to high-value exemplars during the drafting process. While LSA will continue to be supported, its features, including Intelligize classifiers, will be integrated into Lexis Create DMS in 2025. This combination will optimize document relevance and quality for drafting. Additionally, LexisNexis is expanding its AI capabilities, accessing 32 million litigation documents for argument drafting and enabling firms to use their own documents as grounding data for generative AI adoption.

Novaplex Launches Compare, Completing Legal Document Drafting Suite
UK-based legal tech provider Novaplex has launched Compare, a cutting-edge software designed to enhance legal document drafting by detecting nuanced changes across various document elements, such as comments, headers, and tables. After two years of development and collaboration with law firms, Compare completes Novaplex’s suite of drafting tools and addresses the high accuracy demands of law firms.

Akin Gump Hires New Director of AI Innovation
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP has appointed Jeff Westcott as the Director of Practice Technology and AI Innovation. Westcott, who has extensive experience in AI and legal tech, will lead the firm’s efforts to leverage AI tools to enhance client services. Akin Gump has also expanded its technology transactions team in London, further solidifying its position in the legal tech sector.

McDermott Adds New Director of AI Innovation
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has appointed Christopher Cyrus as its first Director of AI Innovation. Cyrus, a seasoned attorney and consultant, will lead the firm’s efforts to explore, adopt, and implement cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. The appointment underscores McDermott’s commitment to driving innovation through technology, as the firm believes AI will continue to disrupt and evolve the legal industry.

Snowflake Raises $2.3 Billion in Convertible Senior Notes Offering
AI data cloud company Snowflake has completed a $2.3 billion offering of convertible senior notes, which includes $1.15 billion due in 2027 and 2029, respectively. The company, which provides AI-driven data solutions, will use this capital to enhance its cloud infrastructure and expand its market presence in AI data management.

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

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 starts their journey into the legal tech community.

Yesterday, Marlene Gebauer and I presented our wrap-up of the Harbor LINKS 2024 program in front of over 130 of our law librarian colleagues. It is always a pleasure (and somewhat a comfort) to talk with our peers at other firms to find out what they have been working on the past year (hint: it was AI), and how we all find ourselves having similar struggles, and successes. If you haven’t attended a LINKS online conference before, I highly recommend it.

As for the legal tech news this week, just when you thought everyone in the legal information field had already entered the GenAI arena, Wolters Kluwer jumps in with their new VitalLaw AI research platform, and PwC reminds us that outside the US, the Big-Four have a pretty strong legal and legal AI presence. PwC is bringing GenAI tools to legal in the Middle East, showing that these tools aren’t just something playing a pivotal role in the English-speaking countries, and Western Europe market.

I was also a little surprised to see two companies I really like, joining together. Elevate’s acquisition of Redgrave Data is going to be an interesting dynamic to watch as Elevate looks to expand client offerings in AI and legal data analytics.

So, enjoy this week’s overview of news that I found interesting. 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.

Wolters Kluwer Introduces New GenAI Functionality to VitalLaw Legal Research Platform
Wolters Kluwer has integrated Generative AI capabilities into its VitalLaw legal research platform, enhancing its offerings with features such as 360 Feedback and Interactive Document Summarization. These new functionalities allow users to generate summaries, checklists, and key points directly through chat with VitalLaw content. This integration is designed to improve productivity and streamline workflows for legal professionals, reinforcing Wolters Kluwer’s position in the competitive legal tech market​.

Law Company Elevate Acquires Redgrave Data
Elevate, a prominent law company, has acquired Redgrave Data, an AI-focused data consulting firm. This acquisition enables Elevate to expand its legal tech offerings, particularly in AI, technology-assisted review (TAR), and legal data. The move aligns with Elevate’s strategic goals of tackling complex legal issues and enhancing client services​.

PwC Middle East Launches Region’s First Legal GenAI Offering
PwC Legal Middle East has introduced the region’s first Legal Generative AI (GenAI) offering as part of its ongoing investment in technology. The new offering is designed to transform legal workflows and processes by leveraging alliances with OpenAI, Harvey, and ContractPodAi. PwC Legal Middle East will provide comprehensive services from concept to implementation, helping organizations harness GenAI to enhance legal and governance advisory services. This move marks a significant advancement in the adoption of AI technology within the legal industry in the Middle East​.

Luminance Expands to Dallas Amid Rising Demand for AI Solutions
Legal AI pioneer Luminance has opened a new office in Dallas, Texas, marking its second U.S. base. This expansion, fueled by recent funding, is a response to the growing demand for its AI-driven legal solutions among major corporate clients like AB InBev and LG Chem​

CB Insights Predicts Surge in Legal AI M&A Activity
Recent reports from CB Insights indicate that the legal AI market may experience a surge in mergers and acquisitions. Key developments include Elevate’s acquisition of Redgrave Data and potential M&A activities involving companies like EvenUp and Luminance, which have both secured substantial funding. This trend suggests an increasing consolidation in the legal AI space as companies seek to expand their technological capabilities and market reach​.

Jus Mundi Secures $22 Million in Series B Funding for Legal Research Advancements
Jus Mundi, a global legal AI company, has raised €20 million ($22 million) in a Series B funding round led by Acton Capital and True Global Ventures. The funding will support the development of Jus AI, a research and productivity assistant designed for global legal professionals. Jus AI aims to transform legal workflows by improving access to Jus Mundi’s extensive law and arbitration database, significantly enhancing productivity in legal research, analysis, and drafting​.

New California AI Transparency Law to Impact Legal Tech Providers
California has enacted the California AI Transparency Act, requiring providers of generative AI systems to implement both latent and manifest disclosures in AI-generated content. This groundbreaking law mandates that AI providers include specific details, such as the provider’s name and system version, within the AI-generated material, effective January 1, 2026. This move aims to promote transparency and accountability in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, impacting all legal tech companies operating within or providing services to California.

FTC Sanctions Against DoNotPay Highlight Broader Issues in Legal AI Adoption
The FTC recently imposed sanctions on DoNotPay for offering legal AI services without delivering on promises. While the FTC focused on DoNotPay’s actions, there is a broader issue: limited access to justice and the lack of AI adoption in the legal field. The article suggests that allowing those who are not licensed attorneys to invest in and own legal businesses, and encouraging the use of AI, could improve access to affordable legal services. By embracing AI and liberalizing the legal market, law firms could leverage technology to scale their services and offer them at more accessible prices, potentially expanding access to justice.

Google Files EU Antitrust Complaint Over Microsoft’s Cloud Practices
Google has filed an antitrust complaint against Microsoft in the EU, alleging unfair practices in the cloud computing market. The complaint centers around Microsoft’s restrictions on its Azure cloud services and the penalties imposed on customers attempting to switch providers. This dispute highlights the competitive tensions in the cloud services market and could have significant implications for legal tech providers operating in this space.

Clio Announces the 2024 Integration Award Winners
Clio has recognized outstanding innovation in its App Directory with the announcement of the 2024 Integration Award winners. This year saw a significant rise in AI-driven applications, reflecting the increasing demand for solutions that enhance legal workflows. Tempello won the Best New App award, Proof took home the Best Practice of Law App award, and Case Status was honored in the Best Business of Law App category. These awards highlight the transformative impact these tools have on the legal profession, showcasing the industry’s most innovative applications that are driving meaningful change.

 

This week, we sit down with Ted Theodoropoulos, CEO of InfoDash and host of the Legal Innovation Spotlight podcast. Ted brings over 25 years of experience in legal technology and has been instrumental in developing platforms that enhance collaboration and knowledge management in law firms. During the conversation, Ted shares the origins of InfoDash, the challenges of transitioning law firms to cloud-based systems, and the role of generative AI in both legal practice and business operations. The episode offers valuable insights for those interested in how technology is reshaping the legal industry.

Ted begins by explaining the journey of InfoDash, which evolved from a consulting firm called Acrowire, focused on building bespoke intranets and extranets for law firms. Recognizing the need for more innovative, cloud-based solutions, Ted and his team relaunched as InfoDash in 2022, just as law firms were moving en masse to Microsoft 365 and grappling with the shift to hybrid and remote work. This transition, Ted explains, has been challenging for firms accustomed to on-premises servers, a concept he refers to as “server huggers.” However, he points out that the cloud offers undeniable advantages, especially for firms looking to adopt AI-driven tools in the future.

The conversation then turns to the role of generative AI in the legal industry. Ted and the hosts discuss how AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot have generated excitement, but also disappointment, as their capabilities have yet to fully meet the specific needs of law firms. While generative AI shows promise in tasks like summarization and drafting, Ted cautions that the technology is not a “silver bullet.” He emphasizes the importance of oversight, particularly given the risks associated with hallucinations in AI-generated content. However, he believes that AI’s potential is vast, especially in the business side of law, where firms can automate administrative tasks without the regulatory hurdles that affect client work.

Knowledge management (KM) and innovation within law firms is another key topic of discussion. Ted notes that while KM has been a longstanding function in many firms, it often varies in scope and effectiveness. He highlights the recent rise of “innovation” roles in firms but warns that some of these are more about appearances than actual advancements—a phenomenon he dubs “innovation theater.” Ted argues that for firms to truly innovate, they must be willing to take risks and accept failure as part of the process. He calls for a more standardized approach to KM and innovation roles but acknowledges that cultural differences between firms make this difficult to achieve.

The episode concludes with a look toward the future of legal technology. Ted advises firms to adopt a cautious, incremental approach when implementing new technologies, such as AI. He warns against making large, reactionary investments based on the fear of missing out and encourages firms to start with small pilot programs that can be scaled as they yield results. By focusing on business of law use cases first, firms can gain early wins and build confidence in their technology strategies, avoiding the pitfalls of overpromising and underdelivering.

Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.com

Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 

Transcript

Continue Reading From Innovation Theater to Real Change with InfoDash’s Ted Theodoropoulos