Transformation within legal operations is becoming increasingly significant, both as a concept and as a practical necessity for maintaining competitive edge and operational efficiency. While the acknowledgement of its importance is widespread, many teams find turning this recognition into actionable strategies to be an arduous task. Broadly speaking, these transformations can be categorized into ‘Big…
The generative artificial intelligence era is rapidly transforming the business landscape, compelling corporate boards to navigate a challenging matrix of opportunities and risks. As enterprises consider or advance their implementation of generative AI, the role of boards is evolving to ensure the technology’s strategic integration aligns with broader corporate goals. While some organizations are in…
As the EU elections approach, the LGBTIQA+ community’s legal standing remains a focal point for both policymakers and scholars alike. The European Commission’s adoption of the 2020-2025 LGBTIQ Equality Strategy marks a structured approach to tackling discrimination and ensuring greater safety for LGBTIQA+ individuals. This strategy has been seen as a significant step, symbolically and…
The adoption of Gen AI within the legal sector is experiencing significant momentum. This shift is particularly noteworthy in an industry traditionally resistant to rapid change. However, law firms now face an imperative; they must integrate advanced AI technologies to remain competitive and efficient. The increasing reliance on Gen AI is transforming various aspects of…
K&L Gates is the latest law firm to offer generative AI training for its summer associates, joining Orrick in this modern approach. The firm plans to integrate Casetext’s CoCounsel into its everyday operations and has identified several power users to guide their colleagues through the adoption of this technology. Partner Brendan McDonnell noted that these…
Generative AI adoption is now making waves in the legal industry, a sector traditionally hesitant to embrace change. However, law firms are increasingly seeing the necessity of these technologies. Law professionals stand to benefit significantly from the efficiencies and advancements brought about by AI, despite historical reluctance. This shift underscores a growing recognition that technological…
The United Nations Security Council has officially extended the existing sanctions against South Sudan for another year through the adoption of Resolution 2731 (2024). This resolution, which received nine votes in favor, none against, and six abstentions, maintains the framework of asset freezes, travel bans, and an arms embargo imposed on the nation. The abstaining…
In a significant shift from traditional law school rankings, Professor Brian Frye of Kentucky Law has introduced a novel ranking methodology based on mentions in the New York Times. This comes in response to growing disinterest among prospective law students towards the U.S. News & World Report rankings, commonly regarded as the gold standard in…
Legal aid and advocacy groups in New York are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) as a means to bolster access to justice. These organizations are leveraging AI to handle various tasks such as generating summaries, documents, and providing translation services. However, the high cost and a scarcity of technical expertise are significant barriers to…
The legal profession has long been characterized by its adherence to tradition and paper-based processes. However, the growing pains of adapting to digital transformation have been evident, highlighted metaphorically in an article titled ‘The Paper Jam’ by Olga V. Mack for Above the Law. Mack, a Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics,…
In a notable discussion on the future of the legal profession, judges have started to evaluate the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in dispute resolution. Moderating a panel of judges, Senior Judge Jerome Abrams of Minnesota state court humorously remarked, “The courts are very good at bringing the public yesterday’s technology tomorrow,” underscoring the judiciary’s…
The evolving legal landscape is encouraging changes in traditional approaches, including the bar exam. Most recently, the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) announced enhancements to the test in the form of the “NextGen Bar Exam,” set to launch in 2028. This modernized version intends to better align with the skills new lawyers need, focusing…
Micky Tripathi, head of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), believes that the recent rule on AI transparency instituted by his office will significantly empower both healthcare providers and technology developers. Speaking at the Reuters Digital Health conference in San Diego, Tripathi stated that the new rule should spur more…
Legal commentators suggest that Big Law firms’ slow adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) may be rooted in their reliance on traditional profitability models, such as high leverage and hourly billing. By maintaining these established systems, firms can continue to maximize billable hours and avoid the substantial upfront investments required for AI implementation. For more in-depth…
Retaining a lateral partner after they’ve announced their departure can be a daunting task for many law firms. Preventing such exits requires a proactive approach, fostering a “sticky firm” culture that encourages staff to remain in the long term. As the ease of switching firms increases in today’s competitive legal landscape, law firms must reassess…
As international entities try to navigate a changing financial landscape, the global minimum tax agreement, labelled as Pillar Two, has become a contentious issue. With over 140 countries now party to the agreement, the challenge has turned towards ensuring implementation at the domestic level, an effort that has not been met with equal enthusiasm across…
Client feedback and evaluation scorecards provide an effective channel for law firms to understand the expectations and goals of their in-house departments. Improved communication allows for strategic alignment, thereby strengthening existing client relationships and opening avenues for new ones. Additionally, feedback allows benchmarking, giving clients a convenient way to compare standards of service among different…
Following nearly two decades of litigation, Jan-Pro Franchising International Inc. and the janitors, who claimed they were incorrectly classified as contractors rather than employees, secured final approval for a $30 million settlement last Thursday. This case centred around allegations that the international janitorial firm had avoided complying with various pay laws by wrongfully categorising their…
Welcome to the intriguing world of SCOTUSwatching! A worthy pursuit, it recently rewarded its followers with a rare sighting of a public display by Justice Samuel Alito. It’s interesting to observe the behavior of an Alito, particularly when it comes to visual displays and understanding its travel preferences given its propensity for free private jet…
The legal community is currently engaged in a discourse about Big Law’s cautious approach towards the adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI). While some attribute this caution to a desire to uphold a profitable business model, which leverages high leverage and hourly billing, there are others who believe AI tools will not render the billable…
The global minimum tax plan known as Pillar Two is already a recognized law across several countries. As tax professionals strive to assemble the complicated puzzle of effective 2024 tax rate computations, there is a noticeable mismatch. This anomaly is the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI), a classification of income used by the IRS to…
With the rules for climate disclosures from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hanging in the balance, states including California are leading the way by implementing their own regulations on greenhouse gas and climate-related risks disclosures. This trend is likely to persist as states and regulators continue to establish and share guidance on such disclosures…
Uncertainty surrounds the future of staffing within law firms, with recent observations suggesting a potential increase in turnover rates. A complex blend of factors, including the residual effects of office attendance policies and a heightened demand for tech-savvy individuals, could be driving this trend within the sphere of Big Law. Increasing adoption of artificial intelligence…
Businesses across multiple sectors are increasingly integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems, particularly large language models (LLMs), into their strategic planning. Fully editable and incorporating both open source and proprietary features, LLMs provide organisations with the ability to customise their own specific AI system. This customisation can potentially result in creations, or ‘outputs’, that are…
The Netherlands has announced a ban on its citizens adopting children from foreign countries, according to a recent statement by Franc Weerwind, Minister for Legal Protection. This decision is a response to a motion passed by the Dutch House of Representatives, instructing the government to develop a strategic plan to carefully reduce international adoptions. The…