Ep. #136: How Law Firms Can Actually Use AI: Practical Intake, Document, and Workflow Automation with Hamid Kohan

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My next guest is Hamid Kohan, founder of LegalSoft and LawPractice.ai, and one of the most practical voices on applying AI inside real-world law firms.🧠 He joins me to break down how firms can move beyond the “we’ve done it this way for 40 years” mindset, modernize their tech stack, and start using AI today without taking on unnecessary risk.

Join Hamid and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

  • What are the top three ways law firms can integrate AI using solutions like LegalSoft and LawPractice.ai into their intake, case management, and document workflows to improve efficiency and accuracy?

  • From your work directly with law firms, what are the top three challenges lawyers face in adopting AI, and how can they overcome them to modernize their practice?

  • Looking ahead, what are the top three emerging technologies beyond AI that attorneys should start exploring today to stay competitive in the legal industry?

In our conversation, we cover the following

  • 00:00 – Welcoming Hamid and overview of his tech-heavy environment

  • 00:30 – Why his team is 90% Mac while he stays on PC and Android

  • 01:10 – Running a pure cloud and SaaS setup with no true desktop environment

  • 02:00 – Treating devices as “Uber” to the web and why local power matters less

  • 02:30 – Hardware choices: HP PC, massive Samsung monitors, and 60+ browser tabs as a to‑do list

  • 03:30 – Working across 12 entities and using tabs to monitor departments and initiatives

  • 04:00 – Living in Google Chrome and managing resource usage for heavy browser workflows

  • 04:40 – Chrome extensions Hamid relies on: Adobe, malware protection, McAfee, offline document tools

  • 05:20 – Why he uses Chrome’s built-in password manager

  • 05:40 – Android Samsung smartphone and keeping mobile simple

  • 06:00 – Question 1: top three ways to integrate AI into intake, case management, and document workflows

  • 06:20 – How legal is “stuck in the past” and why Hamid saw law firms as a scaling opportunity

  • 07:10 – From CRMs and workflows to KPIs: the pre‑AI foundation for scaling law firms

  • 07:40 – The “sky dropped” moment when AI hit the legal industry

  • 08:10 – Vendor noise, “Me Too AI,” and why vertical, single‑purpose AI tools overwhelm firms

  • 08:50 – Why multi-solution AI platforms (like LawPractice.ai) will ultimately win

  • 09:20 – Why firms must start using AI now instead of waiting for perfection

  • 09:50 – Where lawyers should start with AI: document collection as a low‑risk entry point

  • 10:30 – Using AI to automate document requests via SMS, email, and calls

  • 11:00 – AI document summary that checks whether a client sent the correct document

  • 11:40 – Why AI collection and summaries are “risk-free” compared to AI drafting

  • 12:10 – Using AI for document chronologies and conservative workloads

  • 12:40 – Explaining LegalSoft: global virtual staffing for law firms across eight countries

  • 13:30 – How virtual legal staff can cut overhead by up to 75% for firms

  • 14:20 – Why Hamid launched LawPractice.ai to AI‑enable both law firms and LegalSoft’s 4,000 professionals

  • 15:10 – Question 2: the top three challenges lawyers face when adopting AI

  • 15:30 – Challenge 1: finding the right AI tool in a crowded, noisy market

  • 16:00 – Challenge 2: underestimating implementation, training, and real‑world usage

  • 16:20 – Case example: an employment firm that changed its view of AI after proper training

  • 17:10 – Challenge 3: signing long-term AI contracts before proper testing

  • 17:30 – Why firms should insist on “try before you buy” pilot periods

  • 18:00 – Making AI usage mandatory to avoid adoption resistance inside the firm

  • 18:40 – Parallels with CRMs like Clio, Filevine, and CasePeer and partial user adoption

  • 19:20 – How poor CRM data entry disrupts the entire legal workflow

  • 20:00 – Question 3: “beyond AI” tech and why Hamid says it’s “AI, AI, AI” for now

  • 20:30 – The real three “emerging tech” priorities: selecting, implementing, and integrating AI

  • 21:00 – Why locking into long-term tech contracts is risky in a fast-moving AI landscape

  • 21:30 – The trap of attractive multi‑year discounts and what firms should watch for

  • 22:00 – Where listeners can find Hamid and book a one‑on‑one through LegalSoft

Resources

Mentioned in the episode

  • Hardware mentioned in the conversation

  • Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation

🎙️ Ep. #131, Supercharging Litigation With AI: How StrongSuit Helps Lawyers Transform Research, Doc Review, and Drafting 💼⚖️

/ The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page/

My next guest is Justin McCallan, founder of StrongSuit, an AI-powered litigation platform built to transform how litigators handle legal research, document review, and drafting while keeping lawyers firmly in control. In this episode, Justin and I dig into practical, real-world workflows that solos, small firms, and big-firm litigators can use today and over the next few years to change the economics, pace, and strategy of litigation—without sacrificing accuracy, ethics, or the quality of advocacy.

Join Justin and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

  1. What are the top three ways litigators should be using AI tools like StrongSuit right now to change the economics and pace of litigation without sacrificing accuracy, ethics, or quality of advocacy?

  2. What are the top three mistakes lawyers make when adopting AI for litigation, and what practical workflows help lawyers stay in the loop and use AI as a force multiplier instead of a risk? 

  3. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, what are the top three AI-driven workflows every litigator should master to stay competitive, and how can platforms like StrongSuit help build those capabilities into day-to-day practice? 

In our conversation, we cover the following

  • 00:00 – Welcome and guest introduction

    • Justin joins the show and shares his current tech setup at his desk. 

  • 00:00–01:00 – Justin’s current tech stack

    • Lenovo laptop, ultra-wide monitor, and regular use of StrongSuit, ChatGPT, and Gemini for different AI tasks.

    • Everyday tools: Microsoft Word and Power BI for analytics and fast decision-making.

  • 01:00–02:00 – Android vs. iPhone for AI use

    • Why Justin has been on Android for 17 years and how UI/UX familiarity often drives device choice more than AI capability.

  • 02:00–05:30 – Q1: Top three ways litigators should be using AI right now

    • Using AI for end-to-end legal research across 11 million precedential U.S. cases to build litigation outlines and identify key authorities.

    • Scaling document review so AI surfaces relevant documents and synthesizes insights while lawyers focus on strategy and judgment.

    • Leveraging AI for drafting and editing—improving style, clarity, and consistency beyond traditional spelling and grammar checks.

  • 05:30–07:30 – StrongSuit vs. basic tools like Word grammar check

    • How StrongSuit aims to “up-level” a lawyer’s writing, not just catch typos.

    • Stylistic improvements, clarity enhancements, and catching subtle inconsistencies in legal documents.

  • 06:00–08:00 – AI context limits and scaling doc review

    • Constraints of large models’ context windows (around ~1M tokens ≈ ~750 pages).

    • How StrongSuit runs multiple AI agents in parallel, each handling small page sets with heuristics to maintain cohesion and share insights.

  • 08:00–09:00 – Handling tens of thousands of documents

    • How StrongSuit can handle between roughly 10,000–50,000 pages at a time, with the ability to scale further for enterprise matters.

  • 09:00–11:30 – Origin story of StrongSuit

    • Why Justin saw a once-in-a-generation opportunity when large language models emerged and how law, with its precedent and text-heavy nature, is especially suited to AI.

    • StrongSuit’s focus on litigators: supporting lawyers from intake through trial while keeping them in the loop at every step.

  • 11:30–13:30 – From intake to brief drafting in minutes

    • Generating full litigation outlines, research, and analysis in about ten minutes, then moving directly into drafting memos, briefs, complaints, and motions.

    • StrongSuit’s long-term goal: automating 50–99% of major litigation workflows by the end of 2026 while preserving lawyer control and judgment.

  • 12:00–14:30 – How StrongSuit tackles hallucinations

    • Building a full database of all precedential U.S. cases enriched with metadata: parties, summaries, holdings, and more.

    • Validating citations by checking whether the Bluebook citation actually exists in StrongSuit’s case database before surfacing it to the user.

    • Why lawyers should still review cases on-platform before filing, even when AI has filtered out hallucinations.

  • 14:30–16:30 – Coverage and jurisdictions

    • Coverage of all U.S. jurisdictions, federal and state, focused on precedential cases.

    • Handling most regulations from administrative agencies, and limits around local ordinances.

    • Uploading your own case files and using complaints and prior research as inputs into StrongSuit workflows.

  • 15:00–17:00 – Security and confidentiality for litigators

    • SOC 2 compliance and industry-standard encryption at rest and in transit.

    • No model training on user data.

    • Optional end-to-end encryption that can even prevent developers from accessing case content, using local encryption keys.

  • 16:30–20:30 – Q2: Top mistakes lawyers make when adopting AI for litigation

    • Mistake #1: Talking about AI instead of diving in with structured experiments and sanitized documents.

    • Using a framework to identify high-impact tasks: high volume, repetitive work, and heavy data/analysis (e.g., doc review, research, contract drafting).

    • How to shortlist tools: look for SOC 2, real product depth, awards, and a focus on your specific workflows.

    • Mistake #2: Expecting immediate mastery instead of moving through predictable adoption stages—from learning the tool, to daily use, to stringing workflows together.

  • 20:30–22:30 – Building firm-wide AI workflows over time

    • Moving from isolated experiments to integrated, low-friction workflows, such as automatic intake-to-research pipelines.

    • Using client intake audio or transcripts to automatically extract facts, issues, and research paths.

  • 22:30–24:30 – Time constraints and “no-time” lawyers

    • Why lawyers don’t need to be “technical” to use StrongSuit.

    • Reframing AI as text-based tools where lawyers’ writing skills and analytical thinking are assets, not obstacles. 

  • 24:00–26:00 – Practical workflows beyond intake

    • Using AI to prepare for expert depositions, including reviewing valuation analyses, flagging departures from market consensus, and generating targeted questions.

    • Reinforcing the value of AI-enhanced legal research and drafting as core litigation workflows.

  • 26:00–29:30 – Q3: 2026 and beyond – AI-driven workflows every litigator should master

    • Rapid improvement of baseline models (e.g., jumping from single-digit to high double-digit performance on difficult benchmarks year over year). 

    • The idea of “tipping points,” where small performance gains turn AI from marginally useful to essential in specific tasks.

    • Why legal research is a great training ground for understanding where AI excels, where it falls short, and how to divide labor between human and machine.

    • The value of learning basic prompting skills to get more from AI systems, even when platforms offer visual workflows.

  • 29:30–32:30 – Will workflows actually change—or just get better?

    • Why Justin expects familiar litigation workflows (doc review, research, drafting) to remain structurally similar, but become far faster and more sophisticated.

    • AI agents handling the grind work while lawyers focus on synthesis, judgment, and strategy.

    • A future where “AI + lawyer vs. AI + lawyer” resembles high-level chess: same rules, but much deeper thinking on both sides.

  • 32:30–End – Where to find Justin and StrongSuit

    • How to connect with Justin and learn more about StrongSuit’s litigation tools.

Resources

Connect with Justin

Hardware mentioned in the conversation

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation

Word of the week: “Legal AI institutional memory” engages core ethics duties under the ABA Model Rules, so it is not optional “nice to know” tech.⚖️🤖

/ The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page/

Institutional Memory Meets the ABA Model Rules

“Legal AI institutional Memory” is AI that remembers how your firm actually practices law, not just what generic precedent says. It captures negotiation history, clause choices, outcomes, and client preferences across matters so each new assignment starts from experience instead of a blank page.

From an ethics perspective, this capability sits directly in the path of ABA Model Rule 1.1 on competence, Rule 1.6 on confidentiality, and Rule 5.3 on responsibilities regarding nonlawyer assistance (which now includes AI systems). Comment 8 to Rule 1.1 stresses that competent representation requires understanding the “benefits and risks associated with relevant technology,” which squarely includes institutional‑memory AI in 2026. Using or rejecting this technology blindly can itself create risk if your peers are using it to deliver more thorough, consistent, and efficient work.🧩

Rule 1.6 requires “reasonable efforts” to prevent unauthorized disclosure or access to information relating to representation. Because institutional memory centralizes past matters and sensitive patterns, it raises the stakes on vendor security, configuration, and firm governance. Rule 5.3 extends supervision duties to “nonlawyer assistance,” which ethics commentators and bar materials now interpret to include AI tools used in client work. In short, if your AI is doing work that would otherwise be done by a human assistant, you must supervise it as such.🛡️

Why Institutional Memory Matters (Competence and Client Service)

Tools like Luminance and Harvey now market institutional‑memory features that retain negotiation patterns, drafting preferences, and matter‑level context across time. They promise faster contract cycles, fewer errors, and better use of a firm’s accumulated know‑how. Used wisely, that aligns with Rule 1.1’s requirement that you bring “thoroughness and preparation” reasonably necessary for the representation, and Comment 8’s directive to keep abreast of relevant technology.

At the same time, ethical competence does not mean turning judgment over to the model. It means understanding how the system makes recommendations, what data it relies on, and how to validate outputs against your playbooks and client instructions. Ethics guidance on generative AI emphasizes that lawyers must review AI‑generated work product, verify sources, and ensure that technology does not substitute for legal judgment. Legal AI institutional memory can enhance competence only if you treat it as an assistant you supervise, not an oracle you obey.⚙️

Legal AI That Remembers Your Practice—Ethics Required, Not Optional

How Legal AI Institutional Memory Works (and Where the Rules Bite)

Institutional‑memory platforms typically:

  • Ingest a corpus of contracts or matters.

  • Track negotiation moves, accepted fall‑backs, and outcomes over time.

  • Expose that knowledge through natural‑language queries and drafting suggestions.

That design engages several ethics touchpoints🫆:

  • Rule 1.1 (Competence): You must understand at a basic level how the AI uses and stores client information, what its limitations are, and when it is appropriate to rely on its suggestions. This may require CLE, vendor training, or collaboration with more technical colleagues until you reach a reasonable level of comfort.

  • Rule 1.6 (Confidentiality): You must ensure that the vendor contract, configuration, and access controls provide “reasonable efforts” to protect confidentiality, including encryption, role‑based access, and breach‑notification obligations. Ethics guidance on cloud and AI use stresses the need to investigate provider security, retention practices, and rights to use or mine your data.

  • Rule 5.3 (Nonlawyer Assistance): Because AI tools are “non‑human assistance,” you must supervise their work as you would a contract review outsourcer, document vendor, or litigation support team. That includes selecting competent providers, giving appropriate instructions, and monitoring outputs for compliance with your ethical obligations.🤖

Governance Checklist: Turning Ethics into Action

For lawyers with limited to moderate tech skills, it helps to translate the ABA Model Rules into a short adoption checklist.✅

When evaluating or deploying legal AI institutional memory, consider:

  1. Define Scope (Rules 1.1 and 1.6): Start with a narrow use case such as NDAs or standard vendor contracts, and specify which documents the system may use to build its memory.

  2. Vet the Vendor (Rules 1.6 and 5.3): Ask about data segregation, encryption, access logs, regional hosting, subcontractors, and incident‑response processes; confirm clear contractual obligations to preserve confidentiality and notify you of incidents.

  3. Configure Access (Rules 1.6 and 5.3): Use role‑based permissions, client or matter scoping, and retention settings that match your existing information‑governance and legal‑hold policies.

  4. Supervise Outputs (Rules 1.1 and 5.3): Require that lawyers review AI suggestions, verify sources, and override recommendations where they conflict with client instructions or risk tolerance.

  5. Educate Your Team (Rule 1.1): Provide short trainings on how the system works, what it remembers, and how the Model Rules apply; document this as part of your technology‑competence efforts.

Educating Your Team Is Core to AI Competence

This approach respects the increasing bar on technological competence while protecting client information and maintaining human oversight.⚖️

This approach respects the increasing bar on technological competence while protecting client information and maintaining human oversight.⚖️

🎙️ Ep. 122: Cybersecurity Essentials for Law Firms: Proven Strategies from Navy Veteran & Attorney Cordell Robinson

/ The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page/

My next guest is Cordell Brion Robinson, CEO of Brownstone Consulting Firm and a decorated US Navy veteran who brings an extraordinary combination of expertise to cybersecurity. With a background in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and law, plus experience as a Senior Intelligence Analyst, Cordell has created cybersecurity programs that comply with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Federal Information Security Management Act, and the Office of Management and Budget standards for both government and commercial organizations. His firm specializes in compliance services, performing security framework assessments globally for commercial and government entities. Currently, he's innovating the cybersecurity space through automation for security assessments. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Cordell runs the Shaping Futures Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through education, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the community.

Join Cordell Robinson and me as we discuss the following three questions and more! 🎙️

1. What are the top three cybersecurity practices that lawyers should immediately adopt to secure both client data and sensitive case material in their practice?

2. From your perspective as both a legal and cybersecurity expert, what are the top three technology tools or platforms that can help lawyers streamline compliance and governance requirements in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment?

3. What are the top three steps lawyers can take to overcome resistance to technology adoption in law firms, ensuring these tools actually improve outcomes and efficiency rather than just adding complexity

In our conversation, we cover the following: ⏱️

- 00:00:00 - Introduction and welcome to the podcast

- 00:00:30 - Cordell's current tech setup - Windows laptop, MacBook, and iPhone

- 00:01:00 - iPhone 17 Pro Max features including 48MP camera, 2TB storage, and advanced video capture

- 00:01:30 - iPhone 17 Air comparison and laptop webcam discussion

- 00:02:00 - VPN usage strategies - Government VPN for secure client communications

- 00:02:30 - Commercial client communications and secure file sharing practices

- 00:03:00 - Why email encryption matters and Mac Mail setup tutorial

- 00:04:00 - Bonus question: Key differences between commercial and government security work

- 00:05:00 - Security protocols comparison and navigating government red tape

- 00:06:00 - Question 1: Top three cybersecurity practices lawyers must implement immediately

- 00:06:30 - Understanding where client data comes from and having proper IT security professionals

- 00:07:00 - Implementing cybersecurity awareness training for all staff members

- 00:07:30 - Practical advice for solo and small practitioners without dedicated IT staff

- 00:08:00 - Proper email practices and essential security awareness training skills

- 00:08:30 - Handling data from average clients in sensitive cases like family law

- 00:09:00 - Social engineering considerations in contentious legal matters such as divorces

- 00:10:00 - Screening threats from seemingly reliable platforms - Google Play slop ads as recent example

- 00:10:30 - Tenable vulnerability scanning tool recommendation (approximately $1,500/year)

- 00:11:00 - Question 2: Technology tools for streamlining compliance and governance

- 00:11:30 - GRC tools for organizing compliance documentation across various price points

- 00:12:00 - SharePoint security lockdown and importance of proper system configuration

- 00:12:30 - Monitoring tools discussion - why no perfect solution exists and what to consider

- 00:13:00 - Being amenable to change and avoiding long-term contracts with security tools

- 00:14:00 - Question 3: Strategies for overcoming resistance to technology adoption

- 00:14:30 - Demonstrating efficiency and explaining the full implementation process

- 00:15:00 - Converting time savings to dollars and cents for senior attorney buy-in

- 00:15:30 - Mindset shift for billable hour attorneys and staying competitive in the market

- 00:16:00 - Being a technology Guinea pig and testing tools yourself first

- 00:16:30 - Showing real results to encourage buy-in from colleagues

- 00:17:00 - Real-world Microsoft Word example - styles, cross-references, and table of contents time savings

- 00:17:30 - Showing value add and how technology can bring in more revenue

- 00:18:00 - Where to find Cordell Robinson - LinkedIn, www.bcf-us.com, Brownstone Consulting Firm

- 00:18:30 - Company description and closing remarks

Resources 📚

Connect with Cordell Robinson:

Government & Compliance Frameworks:

Software & Tools:

🎙️ Ep. 120: AI Game Changers for Law Firms - Stephen Embry on Legal Tech Adoption and Privacy Concerns 🤖⚖️

/ The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page/

My next guest is Stephen Embry. Steve is a legal technology expert, blogger at Tech Law Crossroads, and contributor to Above the Law. A former mass tort defense litigator with 20 years of remote practice experience, Steven specializes in AI implementation for law firms and legal technology adoption challenges. With a master's degree in civil engineering and programming expertise since 1980, he brings a unique technical insight to legal practice. Steven provides data-driven analysis on how AI is revolutionizing law firms while addressing critical privacy and security concerns for legal professionals. 💻

Join Stephen Embry and me as we discuss the following three questions and more! 🎯

  1. What do you think are the top three game-changer announcements from the 2025 ILTA Conference for AI that're gonna make the most impact for solo, small, and mid-size law firms?

  2. What are the top three security and privacy concerns lawyers should address when using AI?

  3. What are your top three hacks when it comes to using AI in legal?

In our conversation, we covered the following and more! 📝

  • [00:00:00] Episode Introduction & Guest Bio

  • [00:01:00] Steve's Current Tech Setup

  • [00:02:00] Apple Devices Discussion - MacBook Air M4, AirPods Pro

  • [00:06:00] Android Phone & Remote Practice Experience

  • [00:09:00] iPad Collection & MacBook Air Purchase Story

  • [00:12:00] Travel Tech & Backup Strategies

  • [00:15:00] Q1: AI Game Changers from ILTA 2025 Conference

  • [00:24:00] Billable Hour vs AI Adoption Challenges

  • [00:26:00] Competition & Client Demands for Technology

  • [00:35:00] Q2: AI Security & Privacy Concerns for Lawyers

  • [00:37:00] Discoverability & Privilege Waiver Issues

  • [00:44:00] Q3: Top AI Hacks for Legal Professionals

  • [00:46:00] Using AI for Document Construction & Rules Compliance

  • [00:50:00] Contact Information & Resources

Resources 📚

Connect with Stephen Embry

• Email: sembry@techlawcrossroads.com
• Blog: Tech Law Crossroads - https://techlawcrossroads.com
• Above the Law Contributions: https://abovethelaw.com
• LinkedIn: [Stephen Embry LinkedIn Profile]

Mentioned in the Episode

• ILTA (International Lawyers Technology Association) Conference 2025 - https://www.iltanet.org
• Max Stock Conference - Chicago area legal technology conference
• Consumer Electronics Show (CES) - https://www.ces.tech
• Federal Rules of Civil Procedure - https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/current-rules/federal-rules-civil-procedure
• Apple Event (October 9th) - Apple's product announcement events
• Gaylord Conference Center - Washington, DC area conference venue

Hardware Mentioned in the Conversation 🖥️

• MacBook Air M4 (13-inch) - https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/
• iPad Pro - https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/
• iPad Air - https://www.apple.com/ipad-air/
• iPad Mini - https://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/
• iPhone 16 - https://www.apple.com/iphone-16/
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 - https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-ultra-2/
• AirPods Pro - https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/
• Samsung Galaxy (Android phone) - https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/phones/galaxy/
• Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 - https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-z-fold7/

Software & Cloud Services Mentioned in the Conversation ☁️

• Apple Intelligence - https://www.apple.com/apple-intelligence/
• ChatGPT - https://chat.openai.com
• Claude (Anthropic) - https://claude.ai
• Brock AI - AI debate and argumentation tool
• Notebook AI - https://notebooklm.google.com
• Microsoft Word - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/word
• Dropbox - https://www.dropbox.com
• Backblaze - https://www.backblaze.com
• Synology - https://www.synology.com
• Whisper AI - https://openai.com/research/whisper

Don't forget to give The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page Podcast a Five-Star ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast feeds! Your support helps us continue bringing you expert insights on legal technology.

Our next episode will be posted in about two weeks. If you have any ideas about a future episode, please contact Michael at michaeldj@techsavvylawyer.page 📧

🚀 Shout Out to Steve Embry: A Legal Tech Visionary Tackling AI's Billing Revolution!

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Legal technology expert Steve Embry has once again hit the mark with his provocative and insightful article examining the collision between AI adoption and billable hour pressures in law firms. Writing for TechLaw Crossroads, Steve masterfully dissects the DeepL survey findings that reveal 96% of legal professionals are using AI tools, with 71% doing so without organizational approval. His analysis illuminates a critical truth that many in the profession are reluctant to acknowledge: the billable hour model is facing its most serious existential threat yet.

The AI Efficiency Paradox in Legal Practice ⚖️

Steve’s article brilliantly connects the dots between mounting billable hour pressures and the rise of shadow AI use in legal organizations. The DeepL study reveals that 35% of legal professionals frequently use unauthorized AI tools, primarily driven by pressure to deliver work faster. This finding aligns perfectly with research showing that AI-driven efficiencies are forcing law firms to reconsider traditional billing models. When associates can draft contracts 70% faster with AI assistance, the fundamental economics of legal work shift dramatically.

The legal profession finds itself caught in what experts call the "AI efficiency paradox". As generative AI tools become more sophisticated at automating legal research, document drafting, and analysis, the justification for billing clients based purely on time spent becomes increasingly problematic. This creates a perfect storm when combined with the intense pressure many firms place on associates to meet billable hour quotas - some firms now demanding 2,400 hours annually, with 2,000 being billable and collectible.

Shadow AI Use: A Symptom of Systemic Pressure 🔍

Steve's analysis goes beyond surface-level criticism to examine the root causes of unauthorized AI adoption. The DeepL survey data shows that unclear policies account for only 24% of shadow AI use, while pressure to deliver faster work represents 35% of the motivation. This finding supports Steve's central thesis that "the responsibility for hallucinations and inaccuracies is not just that of the lawyer. It's that of senior partners and clients who expect and demand AI use. They must recognize their accountability in creating demands and pressures to not do the time-consuming work to check cites".

This systemic pressure has created a dangerous environment where junior lawyers face impossible choices. They must choose between taking unbillable time to thoroughly verify AI outputs or risk submitting work with potential hallucinations to meet billing targets. Recent data shows that AI hallucinations have appeared in over 120 legal cases since mid-2023, with 58 occurring in 2025 alone. The financial consequences are real - one firm faced $31,100 in sanctions for relying on bogus AI research.

The Billable Hour's Reckoning 💰

How will lawyers handle the challenge to the billable hour with AI use in their practice of law?

Multiple industry observers now predict that AI adoption will accelerate the demise of traditional hourly billing. Research indicates that 67% of corporate legal departments and 55% of law firms expect AI-driven efficiencies to impact the prevalence of the billable hour significantly. The legal profession is witnessing a fundamental shift where "[t]he less time something takes, the more money a firm can earn" once alternative billing methods are adopted.

Forward-thinking firms are already adapting by implementing hybrid billing models that combine hourly rates for complex judgment calls with flat fees for AI-enhanced routine tasks. This transition requires firms to develop what experts call "AI-informed Alternative Fee Arrangements" that embed clear automation metrics into legal pricing.

The Path Forward: Embracing Responsible AI Integration 🎯

Steve’s article serves as a crucial wake-up call for legal organizations to move beyond sanctions-focused approaches toward comprehensive AI integration strategies. The solution requires acknowledgment from senior partners and clients that AI adoption must include adequate time for verification and quality control processes. This too should serve as a reminder for any attorney, big firm to solo, to check their work before submitting it to a court, regulatory agency, etc. Several state bars and courts have begun requiring certification that AI-generated content has been reviewed for accuracy, recognizing that oversight cannot be an afterthought.

The most successful firms will be those that embrace AI while building robust verification protocols into their workflows. This means training lawyers to use AI competently, establishing clear policies for AI use, and most importantly, ensuring billing practices reflect the true value delivered rather than simply time spent. As one expert noted, "AI isn't the problem, poor process is".

Final Thoughts: Technology Strategy for Modern Legal Practice 📱

Are you ready to take your law practice to the next step with AI?

For legal professionals with limited to moderate technology skills, the key is starting with purpose-built legal AI tools rather than general-purpose solutions. Specialized legal research platforms that include retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) technology can significantly reduce hallucination risks while providing the efficiency gains clients expect. These tools ground AI responses in verified legal databases, offering the speed benefits of AI with enhanced accuracy.

The profession must also recognize that competent AI use requires ongoing education. Lawyers need not become AI experts, but they must develop "a reasonable understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the specific GAI technology" they employ. This includes understanding when human judgment must predominate and how to effectively verify AI-generated content.

Steve's insightful analysis reminds us that the legal profession's AI revolution cannot be solved through individual blame or simplistic rules. Instead, it requires systemic changes that address the underlying pressures driving risky AI use while embracing the transformative potential of these technologies. The firms that succeed will be those that view AI not as a threat to traditional billing but as an opportunity to deliver greater value to clients while building more sustainable and satisfying practices for their legal professionals. 🌟

ILTACON 2025 Attendance Forces Postponement of Exciting TSS - Preparing Old Office Tech for Your Kids' Back-to-School Success 📚💻

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Dear Tech-Savvy Saturday Community,

Due to my attendance at ILTACON 2025 (August 10-14, 2025) at the Gaylord National Harbor Convention Center this week, this month's Tech-Savvy Saturday session originally scheduled for August 16 has been postponed until Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 12 PM EST 🕐.

This postponement presents the perfect opportunity to dive deeper into our upcoming topic: "Preparing Your Old Office Technology for Your Kids' Back-to-School Success." As legal professionals, we often have reliable office equipment that could serve our children well as they return to school. This session will explore practical strategies for repurposing scanners, laptops, printers, and other office technology to create productive learning environments at home.

Our session will cover device preparation techniques, security considerations for family use, and creative ways to transform professional equipment into educational tools. We'll discuss how to properly clean and configure devices, implement age-appropriate restrictions, and ensure data security when transitioning office equipment to personal.

Stay tuned and mark your calendars for Saturday, August 23, 2025 as we explore this practical intersection of legal technology and family needs 📅✨.

Have a Great Weekend and Stay Tech-Savvy!

ILTACON 2025 Opening: Navigating the Legal Tech Treasure Trove ⚓

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Get your legal tech plunder at #ILTACON2025

Ahoy, legal tech voyagers! ⛵ ILTACON 2025 has officially set sail at the magnificent Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, and what a spectacular opening it's been. From August 10-14, over 4,000 legal professionals interested in legal technology are charting their course through the most comprehensive bounty of legal tech innovations ever assembled.

This year's pirate theme couldn't be more fitting. Legal professionals have truly become modern-day treasure hunters, seeking out the digital gold that will transform their practices. The opening reception on Monday morning perfectly captured this spirit, with maritime merriment setting the tone for what promises to be an extraordinary week of discovery.

Among the distinguished crew of attendees, we spotted previous podcast guest Stephen Embry, the brilliant mind behind the TechLaw Crossroads blog and former chair of the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Division. His insights on artificial intelligence adoption and legal technology competency continue to guide practitioners navigating the choppy waters of digital transformation. Also making waves is Brett Burney, Vice President of NextPoint Law Group, whose expertise in bridging the chasm between legal and technology frontiers has made him a sought-after guide for firms embracing Discovery solutions.

The exhibit hall, themed as the "Pirate's Bounty," features over 225 vendors displaying their technological treasures. From AI-powered legal research tools to advanced case management systems, the bounty available to legal professionals has never been more abundant. The challenge isn't finding technology—it's selecting the right tools that will genuinely enhance practice efficiency without overwhelming existing workflows.

What makes ILTACON unique is its peer-driven approach to education. Unlike vendor-heavy conferences, ILTACON sessions are crafted by practitioners who have firsthand experience with the challenges facing legal technology professionals. This year's 80+ educational sessions span eight focus areas, ensuring every legal professional finds relevant insights to take back to their firm.

For firms with limited to moderate technology skills, ILTACON provides the perfect environment to learn from peers who have successfully navigated similar challenges. The networking opportunities alone justify the investment, as connections made here often lead to solutions for specific practice challenges.

The pirate theme extends beyond mere decoration—it represents the adventurous spirit required to succeed in today's legal technology landscape. Legal professionals must be willing to explore uncharted territories, test new solutions, and occasionally take calculated risks to discover the innovations that will give their practices a competitive edge.

#ILTACON2025

As we sail through this week of discovery, remember that the real treasure isn't the technology itself—it's the enhanced client service, improved efficiency, and competitive advantages these tools provide when properly implemented.

May fair winds fill your sails as you navigate this legal tech treasure trove! ⚓

#ILTACON2025

🎙️ Ep. 117: Legal Tech Revolution,  How Dorna Moini Built Gavel.ai to Transform the Practice of Law with AI and Automation.

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Dorna Moini, CEO and Founder of Gavel, discusses how generative AI is transforming the way legal professionals work. She explains how Gavel helps lawyers automate their work, save time, and reach more clients without needing to know how to code. In the conversation, she shares the top three ways AI has improved Gavel's tools and operations. She also highlights the most significant security risks that lawyers should be aware of when using AI tools. Lastly, she provides simple tips to ensure AI-generated results are accurate and reliable, as well as how to avoid false or misleading information.

Join Dorna and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

  1. What are the top three ways generative AI has transferred Gavel's offerings and operations?

  2. What are the top three most critical security concerns legal professionals should be aware of when using AI-integrated products like Gavel?

  3. What are the top three ways to ensure the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated results, including measures to prevent false or misleading information or hallucinations?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:16] Dorna's Tech Setup and Upgrades

[03:56] Discussion on Computer and Smartphone Upgrades

[08:31] Exploring Additional Tech and Sleeping Technology

[09:32] Generative AI's Impact on Gavel's Operations

[13:13] Critical Security Concerns in AI-Integrated Products

[16:44] Playbooks and Redline Capabilities in Gavel Exec

[20:45] Contact Information

Resources: 

Connect with Dorna:

Websites & SaaS Products:

  • Apple Podcasts — Podcast platform (for reviews)

  • Apple Podcasts — Podcast platform (for reviews)

  • ChatGPT — AI conversational assistant by OpenAI

  • ChatGPT — AI conversational assistant by OpenAI

  • Gavel — AI-powered legal automation platform (formerly Documate)

  • Gavel Exec — AI assistant for legal document review and redlining (part of Gavel)

  • MacRumors — Apple news and product cycle information

  • MacRumors — Apple news and product cycle information

  • Notion — Workspace for notes, databases, and project management

  • Notion — Workspace for notes, databases, and project management

  • Slack — Team communication and collaboration platform 

Hardware:

Other:

🎙️ Ep. #115: Legal Technology Mastery with Law Librarian Jennifer Wondracek – Essential AI Tools and Skills for Modern Lawyers.

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Our next guest is Jennifer Wondracek, Director of the Law Library and Professor of Legal Research and Writing at Capital University Law School. Jennifer shares her expertise as a legal technologist and ABA Women of Legal Tech Honoree. She addresses three vital questions: the top technological tools law students and lawyers should leverage, strategies to help new attorneys adapt to firm technologies, and ways law firms can automate routine tasks to prioritize high-value legal work. Drawing on her extensive experience in legal education and technology, Jennifer emphasizes practical solutions, the importance of transferable skills, and the increasing role of generative AI in modern legal practice.

Join Jennifer and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

  1. As Head Librarian at Capital University Law School, what are the top three technological tools or resources that you believe law students and practicing lawyers should be leveraging right now to enhance legal research and client service?

  2. What are the top three strategies that lawyers can use to help law students clerking for a firm, or new attorneys, quickly adapt to become proficient with the technology platforms and tools used in their practice, particularly when these tools differ from what they learned in law school?

  3. Beyond legal research, what are the top three ways law firms and solo practitioners can use technology to automate routine tasks and create more time for high-value legal work?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:03] Jennifer’s Current Tech Setup

[06:27] Top Technological Tools for Law Students and Practicing Lawyers

[11:23] Case Management Systems and Generative AI

[23:15] Strategies for Law Students and New Attorneys to Adapt to Technology

[31:03] Permissions and Backup Practices

[34:20] Automating Routine Tasks with Technology

[39:41] Favorite Non-Legal AI Tools

Resources:

Connect with Jennifer:

Mentioned in the episode:

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation: