In the complex landscape of legal work, a new tool developed by August is aiming to streamline the balance between attentive listening and the necessity of instant fact-checking. Acknowledging the inherent challenges attorneys face during depositions, client communications, and witness preparations, Live Assist offers technological assistance to tackle these issues.
The core utility of Live Assist lies in its ability to join a legal conversation, performing real-time transcription complemented by speaker labeling. The platform taps into relevant case materials—ranging from prior testimonies and contracts to other legal documents—that attorneys have pre-uploaded. As the conversation unfolds, Live Assist actively cross-references spoken words with these documents. Any mismatch or inconsistency triggers a flag in a sidebar, citing the exact reference document while suggesting additional questions. This process remains unobtrusive, allowing attorneys to maintain their focus on the ongoing conversation.
This novel integration is not designed to address competency but rather the limitation of human bandwidth. As Rutvik Rau, cofounder and CEO of August, explains, the application counters the need for legal professionals to choose between attentiveness and verification. The unobtrusive nature of Live Assist ensures that flags do not demand immediate attention, and after the session, lawyers receive an annotated transcript that highlights any deviations from the written records.
The application’s most apparent utility might be found in depositions, where identifying contradictions can significantly influence a case’s direction. However, its applicability is broader, useful in any scenario where verbal communications might diverge from the documented facts. Be it client meetings, witness preparation, or settlement negotiations, Live Assist provides attorneys with a more robust command over the integrity of their interactions.
Further easing any concerns around security, August emphasizes that the application is developed with strong safeguards for attorney-client privilege and protections specific to work products. Audio data is encrypted during transit, kept logically isolated, and importantly, it is not employed to train AI models.
Launching without additional cost to all users, Live Assist complements August’s platform which is particularly aimed at small and mid-sized law firms often hindered by cost when accessing AI solutions. Their service, priced at $375 monthly or an annual fee of $4,000, spans the legal workflow and includes features such as drafting legal documents, performing due diligence, and contract review.
Backed by $7 million in seed funding from investors including New Enterprise Associates and Stanford Law School, August continues to position itself as an essential tool for legal professionals seeking efficiency and accuracy in their practice. For a detailed exploration of Live Assist, the full article can be read on LawNext.