In a strategic move within the legal technology space, Clio has announced its acquisition of Learned Hand, a startup that specializes in artificial intelligence solutions designed specifically for judges and court systems. While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, this acquisition marks a significant step in Clio’s recently launched judiciary business, bringing on board an existing product that is already operational in multiple courthouses.
This move follows Clio’s recent hiring spree aimed at bolstering its new judiciary division. In late August, Clio appointed Pablo Arredondo, Casetext’s co-founder, as the Senior Vice President to steer product development for courts. Close on the heels of this initiative, Bridget Mary McCormack, former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, was recruited as the general manager to lead the market and commercial strategy.
With the integration of Learned Hand, Clio aims to sustain the current deployments and pilot projects of the company while looking to enhance its technology and team. Designed as an AI workspace for judges and clerks, Learned Hand’s platform interfaces with court case management systems. Its functionalities include organizing case materials, indicating when lawyers might be exaggerating facts, and drafting bench memos and orders. As noted in a recent partnership announcement, this technology was adopted by the Superior Court of Los Angeles County and other leading courts.
Clio’s CEO, Jack Newton, emphasized that AI’s potential to expedite legal work underscores the necessity for courts to adapt to this accelerated pace. He warned that if judicial processes don’t evolve at the same rate, courts could become bottlenecks in the justice system.
This acquisition is aligned with Clio’s strategic approach of developing tools tailor-made for judicial needs rather than adapting existing legal solutions. By leveraging Clio’s substantial data collection—partly through its acquisition of vLex—the company aims to fuse Learned Hand’s judicial expertise with comprehensive legal information and court data. According to Arredondo, the marriage of these capabilities will facilitate the creation of a new generation of judicial technology.
Ultimately, Clio’s latest acquisition underscores its commitment to fortifying its judiciary-focused offerings, aiming to profoundly shape the landscape of legal AI in courtrooms. Interested readers can explore the detailed announcement and insights on Clio’s official release.