In an impressive demonstration of initiative and skill, managing associate Tanya Sadoughi at Linklaters has turned a weekend project into a firmwide AI tool that addresses longstanding challenges in the banking and finance practice. The development, prompted by a recurring issue that Sadoughi identified, highlights an emerging trend of lawyers utilizing coding skills to enhance legal practice efficiency.
This transformative story began when Sadoughi, equipped with her recently acquired programming knowledge, devised a solution to streamline the workflow within her department. The project not only underscores the potential for tech-driven innovations in the legal sector but also exemplifies a growing movement where legal professionals are becoming proficient in coding. This proficiency enables them to create tools that directly address practice-specific challenges.
Linklaters’ decision to adopt Sadoughi’s creation across its global operations marks a significant shift in how large law firms are approaching technological integration. This initiative aligns with the broader legal industry’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence to automate routine tasks and improve accuracy. Notably, the tool’s ability to rapidly gain traction within a top-tier firm such as Linklaters underscores the changing expectations of associates who are now expected to combine legal acumen with technological savvy [Linklaters AI Tool](http://www.law.com/2026/01/13/a-linklaters-lawyer-built-an-ai-tool-over-a-weekendnow-its-been-rolled-out-firmwide/).
Other firms are also recognizing the potential benefits of leveraging in-house talent for tech development. This trend is further reflected in the increasing number of law schools incorporating coding and digital literacy into their curricula. As AI and machine learning continue to evolve, the ability to blend legal expertise with technological innovation will become ever more crucial, pushing firms to rethink traditional approaches to legal problem-solving.
Legal professionals interested in the future of technology in their field will likely find Sadoughi’s success story both inspiring and indicative of a larger paradigm shift within the industry. As law firms continue to embrace digital transformation, the role of associates may increasingly encompass elements of both lawyer and tech developer.