Key Stories

Goodbye Support Boomers, Hello AI….? (Artificial Lawyer)

BigHand’s latest report spotlights a looming talent gap: over 40% of law firms anticipate major support staff retirements within five years. This generational shift is sparking tough decisions about whether to automate or rehire. While AI is often viewed as a threat to junior lawyers, it may be the solution for replacing retiring admin staff. Notably, only 50% of firms currently use workflow tech, despite its known benefits. Centralizing support services and adopting task delegation tools are proving valuable, with 70% of firms seeing increased productivity.

Business Spending on GenAI Doubled in 2024 – Bain Survey (Artificial Lawyer)

A new Bain & Company survey reveals U.S. legal sector genAI adoption hit 34% by the end of 2024, with business spending on genAI doubling to $10.3M. Satisfaction with results is high, especially in the tech sector, where AI is already deeply integrated. The legal sector is catching up fast, with demand from mid-sized firms on the rise. The report underscores AI’s evolving role in client expectations, tech investment, and operational strategy. Insights and deeper discussion are expected at the upcoming Legal Innovators California Conference.

AI Integration in Legal Services

• How to Incorporate AI into the Workflow of Your Law Firm: A practical guide to AI adoption, focusing on gradual rollout and workflow fit.
• AI Innovation Takes Center Stage at iManage ConnectLive 2025: iManage showcases its AI assistant and growing cloud platform usage.
• How Embracing AI Can Bring the ‘Digital Associate’ to Life: A look at AI as a force to rethink billing models and give smaller firms an edge.
• Knowable’s Nik Reed: GenAI Lets Lawyers Do What Meant To Do: GenAI enhances strategic thinking and client service.
• Introducing LawNext’s AI Columnist, Jennifer Case: Focus on helping small firms use AI to improve outcomes and avoid burnout.
• Is the Data Collected Worth as Much as the Legal Tech Tool?: Legatics argues legal tech value lies in both workflow efficiency and the data it generates.
• Greenspoon Marder Goes Live with 3E Cloud: Cloud transition improves billing, analytics, and operations.

Legal Innovation and Access

• Lawyer Launches Site to Help Pro Se People in Arkansas: New platform offers affordable legal tools and resources.
• Can AI Help Close the Justice Gap?: Survey launched to explore AI’s role in supporting legal aid and nonprofits.
• Redefining Productivity in Legal Services: Jordan Furlong challenges traditional legal billing by advocating for outcome-based pricing.

Leadership and Appointments

• Clio Names New Chief Product Officer: John Foreman to lead Clio’s product innovation.
• Oddr Appoints Justin Mitchell as VP of Product: Focused on transforming law firm revenue management.
• BigHand Legal Workflow Report: Reveals widespread challenges in law firm support service modernization.

Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions

• Trellis + Fisher Phillips for AI-Powered Case Strategy: Delivers automated insights using state court data.
• Zylpha + Bedrock Partnership: Integrates bundling tools with case management.
• PwC, Integreon + ContractPodAI Team Up: Aims to automate and scale legal workflows.
• Morae Acquires Gimmal: Expands info governance and compliance services.
• Oddr + Helm360 Partner to Modernize Revenue Management: Streamlines billing and forecasting.
• Clark Hill Moves to 3E Cloud: Enhances mobility and analytics.
• Anaqua Acquires RightHub: Expands global IP offerings.
• PERSUIT Acquires Apperio: Focuses on transforming legal spend management.

Regulation, Compliance, and Risk

• FTC Cracks Down on AI Detection Claims: Workado LLC barred from unverified AI accuracy claims.
• Europe’s “AI Continent Action Plan”: EUR 200B+ pledged to AI infrastructure and skills.
• More AI Hallucinations Prompt Sanctions: U.S. and Canadian lawyers penalized for false citations.
• AI Benchmarking: Good Intentions vs. Gold Standards: Jim Wagner calls for more robust, transparent AI evaluation.

AI in Legal Training

• How DLA Piper’s GenAI Training Simulator Works: ANSAi program helps develop lawyer capabilities AI can’t replicate.