Legal professionals across the globe are always navigating the complexities of financial regulations and ethical considerations. Recent developments have signaled a shift in the widespread belief that within our capitalist society, ‘money is free.’ However, latest insights point to a new disclaimer – at least, not anymore. The narrative surrounding financial freedom in the context…
With the dawn of 2023, in-house law departments are at the forefront of engaging discussions about the practical use of technology in their daily operation, particularly the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI). They not only assess where they currently stand in the adoption of new technology but also plan their strategic paths for future implementation….
Over the years, lawyers have routinely turned to technical education programs and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) to better understand technology-related legal matters. However, many find themselves struggling with Artificial Intelligence (AI), which they consider complex and challenging to comprehend. While true that AI can appear overwhelming, it’s not as impenetrable as it appears. Embracing AI…
Last week, a debate emerged on a law doctrine dating back to World War II at the U.S. Supreme Court. The consideration falls on whether this old principle, which pushes courts to heavily weigh agency statutory interpretations, could replace the controversial doctrine known as the Chevron, according to Katie Buehler of Law360. The Chevron doctrine…
The legal landscape is never at a standstill and this morning was ever the reminder of that fact. An array of topics are making headlines today, from the Supreme Court’s examination of bankruptcy tactics to a noteworthy development in the Dallas lawyer murder case. There seems to be a new push for the Supreme Court…
AffiniPay, the parent authority for a set of technological solutions to handle law practices and take online payments, including LawPay and MyCase, recently announced the introduction of AffiniPay IQ. This directional strategy aims to integrate generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all of its products and make AI an integral part of legal professionals’ daily workflows….
A startup providing artificial intelligence (AI) solutions recently came out of stealth mode, aiming to make regulatory tasks simpler for corporate compliance chiefs. The company in question, Norm AI, was founded by renowned computer science expert John Nay, who has long been educating law students about generative artificial intelligence. Norm AI, headquartered in New York,…
New York’s Governor, Kathy Hochul, recently proposed a shift in the state’s cannabis potency taxation plan. She recommended substituting the potency tax in the state’s 2025 budget with a 9% wholesale excise tax, to be administered by the state’s cannabis distributors. The substitution has several potential benefits which could positively impact the legal cannabis market,…
Within the legal profession, the hectic pace of workload often leads to some unconventional habits, not least of which is the habit of replacing lunchtimes with more meetings. This trend has been on the rise across the legal community, leading to both shifting patterns of work-life balance and dynamics within team structures. For most legal…
The transformation from vendor to strategic collaborator cultivates the ideal relationship between in-house legal departments and outside counsel. This symbiotic dynamic is considered vital for both parties. A recent episode of the UpLevel View podcast delved into this topic with Elizabeth Lugones, legal operations expert of UpLevel Ops, and Yusuf Mohamed, partner, and the General…
Recently, in what may seem a mundane experiment, I sought to optimise my morning routine using a smart coffee maker to make the perfect cup of coffee. This led me to draw parallels to the legal world in how we can innovate and optimise everyday processes with AI technologies. This exploration of new technology in…
In recent discussions surrounding technological advancements in the legal domain, it’s important to note that AI-based applications like ChatGPT should not be misconstrued as legal research tools. The software’s chatbot-like functionality may provide certain simplifications in mundane tasks but does not augment or replace the meticulous research needed in law. Emphasized by insightful legal experts…
Deere & Co., the multinational American corporation most widely recognized as John Deere, announced the appointment of Anna Richards as the Director of Global Legal Operations. This marks a significant move for the major corporation. The announcement is notable given the pivotal role Richards now adopts. As the Director of Global Legal Operations, Richards will…
In an era of rampant technological advancements and induced paradigm shifts, transformation at an organizational level is no longer just an option, but a necessary survival strategy. As revealed during a fascinating legal operations discourse recently, the clichéd advice of “Doing as you’re told”, may not be the golden rule for legal professionals anymore, at…
Today’s interconnected world requires legal leaders to think transnationally and to embrace a forward-thinking mindset. These leaders are called to look toward the horizon in order to guide their international teams towards new successes. As the legal sector grapples with digital transformation, innovation is changing the playbook. The Chief Legal Officer of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Curt…
In the heart of New York City, an interesting trend has begun to emerge amongst prominent law firms. Firms including King & Spalding and Paul Weiss have begun to invest in larger office spaces. Due to the confidential nature of legal work and the extensive need for adequate office spaces to accommodate the magnitude of…
Product demonstrations in the legal tech industry are not just presentations, they’re delicate dances of precision, trust, and storytelling. The recent unveiling of Google’s Gemini, an AI model that was expected to make a significant leap forward, was shadowed by elaborations in its demonstration, leading to critical responses from developers and industry observers. It represented…
In a rather intriguing development, former Trump lawyer, Michael Cohen, has claimed that false citations in a legal brief were, in fact, generated by the artificial intelligence software, Google Bard. This assertion has initiated a series of discussions and debates amongst those entrenched in legal and technological fields. Cohen, who served as the personal attorney…
With 2024 on the horizon, legal industry analysts and numerous general counsels are anticipating a spirited upswing in in-house hiring, even in the face of fiscal stressors confronting corporate counsel. The landscape of the employment market in this sector points towards an increasing demand for specialized attorney roles within corporate legal departments. These specialized positions…
Olga V. Mack, a fellow at CodeX – The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, Generative AI Editor at law.MIT, and an accomplished lawyer known for her affinity towards legal innovation, recently penned an enlightening piece, shedding light on Lawyerly New Year’s Resolutions and how they adhere to legal terms and conditions.More on Above the Law….
Over the past summer, I embarked on a personal journey to construct a treehouse for my children. This project was not just about assembling a recreational structure; it necessitated strategic planning, examination of the tree’s structure, and reinforcement of safety measures. This endeavor became a strong metaphor when I embraced the challenging task of formulating…
In the ever-evolving legal landscape, 2023 marked significant advancements, particularly on the technology forefront. These developments directly and indirectly impacted the way law firms and in-house legal departments carried out their operations. Among the highlights of these changes was the notable influence of generative AI, which, coupled with market shifts, post-pandemic realities, and increasing presence…
Noted legal innovator and industry expert, Olga V. Mack, has been making her mark in the field of law by embracing developments in technology. Mack, a Fellow at CodeX, the Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT, has had a dedicated career towards honing and advancing the future of law….
The forecast for the legal industry in 2024 is marked by significant technological advancements and remarkable shifts in legal operations. As the landscape of the sector continues to develop, there are emerging challenges and opportunities for legal professionals and firms. As the likes of Ashleigh Goldberg, Director at Lateral Link, have observed, this evolution transcends…
The future implementation of large language models and broader foundation models into artificial intelligence spheres remains uncertain. A wide array of outlooks exist concerning the safety and reliability of such models, most notably in their role within final products. The primary anxieties lie around the role these tools will play as auxiliary mechanisms for legal…