🎙️Ep. 118: Essential Legal Tech Competency - Colin S. Levy on Building Foundational Technology Skills for Modern Lawyers!

My next guest is Colin Levy, General Counsel at Malbek. Colin is a leading voice in legal innovation. During our interview, he shared practical insights on building foundational legal tech skills for modern lawyers.

During the conversation, Colin outlines the top three steps every lawyer should take to develop legal tech competency, regardless of their technical background. He emphasizes the ethical responsibilities that lawyers face when utilizing AI, particularly the risks associated with unchecked reliance on generative tools and the need to acknowledge potential inaccuracies. Colin also shared some great tips on how to better utilize legal professionals' use of Microsoft Word to improve efficiency and save time (and money💰). In discussing the adoption of new technology, he underscores the importance of defining problems, clarifying desired outcomes, and fully leveraging existing tools before selecting new solutions strategically.

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

1. Based on his extensive experience interviewing legal tech leaders and your role as general counsel at Malbek, Colin provides the top three foundational steps every lawyer should take today to build their legal tech competency, regardless of their current technical skill level.

2. Colin shares three specific ways lawyers can immediately improve their document drafting efficiency using existing technology tools, and how this foundational competence connects to more advanced legal tech adoption.

3. Colin has conducted hundreds of interviews with legal tech leaders and now serves as general counsel for a CLM company.  He has seen both the vendor and practitioner perspectives. Colin shares his top three strategic considerations lawyers should evaluate when selecting and implementing new technology solutions to ensure they actually improve client service delivery and practice efficiency rather than just adding complexity.

In our conversation, we covered the following:

[01:28] Colin's Tech Setup

[11:14] The Three Core Steps to Legal Tech Competency

[13:17] AI Tools and Ethical Considerations

[17:29] Improving Document Drafting Efficiency

[23:15] Strategic Considerations for Technology Selection

Resources:

Connect with Colin:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colinslevy/

• Schedule Time with Colin: calendly.com/colin-levy/30min

• Website: colinslevy.com/

Mentioned in the episode:

• The Legal Tech Ecosystem: https://www.colinslevy.com/books#:~:text=More...-,The%20Legal%20Tech%20Ecosystem,-Innovation%2C%20Advancement

• Handbook: https://www.colinslevy.com/books#:~:text=Handbook%20of%20Legal%20Tech

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

• Apple iPhone: https://www.apple.com/iphone-15-pro/

• Apple Mini: https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/

• Apple Studio Displays: apple.com/studio-display/

• Blue Yeti Microphone: https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/shop/p/yeti-premium-usb-microphone

• iContact Pro Camera: https://icontactcamera.com

• Microsoft Surface Pro: microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-pro

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

• Claude: claude.ai/

• Google Drive - https://drive.google.com

• Malbek CLM: malbek.io/

• Microsoft Outlook - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/outlook/email-and-calendar-software-microsoft-outlook

• Microsoft Teams - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software

• Microsoft Word - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/word

• Perplexity: perplexity.ai/

• Zoom - https://zoom.us

ILTACON 2025 Opening: Navigating the Legal Tech Treasure Trove ⚓

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

📖 Word(s) of the Week (Wow): "Service as a Service" (SaaS) & "Hardware as a Service" (HaaS)!

SaaS vs. HaaS: What Law Firms Need to Know About Service as a Service and Hardware as a Service in 2025 ⚖️💻

Exploring SaaS vs. HaaS in Legal Tech!

Legal practices are rapidly embracing cloud-based solutions, and two models stand out: Software as a Service (SaaS) and Hardware as a Service (HaaS). Understanding these models is essential for law firms seeking efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness in 2025.

What is SaaS?
SaaS is a cloud-based software delivery model. Instead of buying software outright and installing it on each device, law firms subscribe to web-hosted applications. This means no more managing physical servers or complex installations. Leading SaaS providers handle updates, security, and maintenance, freeing attorneys to focus on clients and cases.

Benefits of SaaS for Law Firms:

• Centralized, secure document management—enabling paperless workflows and real-time collaboration.

• Cost savings by eliminating expensive hardware and IT support. Firms pay only for what they use and can scale up or down as needed.

• Remote access to case files, calendars, and billing from anywhere, supporting hybrid and remote work environments.

• Automatic updates and improved security, with providers responsible for compliance and data protection.

• Specialized legal features, such as document automation, calendaring, and legal billing, tailored for law practices.

Legal Considerations for SaaS:
SaaS agreements replace traditional software licenses. They must clearly define service levels, data privacy, and compliance with regulations. SaaS lawyers play a crucial role in drafting contracts, protecting intellectual property, and ensuring regulatory compliance across jurisdictions.

What is HaaS?
HaaS provides physical hardware—like computers, servers, or networking equipment—on a subscription basis. Law firms avoid large upfront purchases and instead pay a monthly fee for access, support, and maintenance. HaaS often includes installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and ongoing monitoring.

Benefits of HaaS for Law Firms:

Knowing your SAAS and Haas agreement terms is essential to maintaining client confidentiality and security

• Predictable budgeting with no surprise hardware expenses.

• Up-to-date equipment and proactive maintenance, reducing downtime.

• Comprehensive support agreements, including warranties and rapid response times.

• Enhanced security and compliance, as providers manage device updates and data protection.

Legal Considerations for HaaS:
HaaS contracts should specify the scope of services, pricing, service-level agreements (SLAs), liability, data privacy, and dispute resolution. Clear terms protect both the law firm and the provider, ensuring accountability and compliance with industry standards.

Challenges Law Firms Face in Using SaaS and HaaS

Law firms adopting SaaS and HaaS face several notable challenges:

• Security Vulnerabilities: SaaS platforms can be susceptible to misconfigured access controls, inadequate monitoring, and insufficient threat detection. These weaknesses make law firms prime targets for cyberattacks, such as unauthorized access and data breaches, as seen in high-profile incidents involving major firms.

• Data Breaches and Compliance Risks: Sensitive client data stored in SaaS environments is at risk if proper security measures are not in place. Breaches can expose confidential information, leading to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and class action lawsuits if firms fail to notify affected parties promptly.

• Integration Challenges: As law firms rely on multiple SaaS vendors, integrating various software platforms can become complex. Poor integration may disrupt workflows and reduce efficiency, especially if systems do not communicate seamlessly.

• Shared Responsibility Confusion: SaaS providers typically secure the platform, but law firms are responsible for data security and access controls. Many firms mistakenly believe vendor security alone is sufficient, which can leave critical data exposed.

• Reliable and consistent internet access: Reliable and consistent internet access is essential for law firms using SaaS and HaaS, as these cloud-based solutions require an active connection to access software, documents, and case management tools; any internet outage or slow connectivity can disrupt workflows, limit access to critical information, and impact client service. (What if you are on travel and the airplane, hotel, or location does have (reliable) internet connection - how do you get your work done?)

• Business Email Compromise (BEC): SaaS ecosystems increase the risk of BEC attacks. Compromised email accounts can be exploited for fraud, impersonation, and data theft, often going undetected for extended periods.

• Data Classification and Visibility Issues: Rapid adoption of SaaS can lead to scattered data across multiple platforms. Without a formal data classification strategy, firms may lose track of where sensitive information resides, complicating compliance and incident response.

• Legal and Contractual Complexities: SaaS contracts involve nuanced licensing agreements, third-party vendor relationships, and service level commitments. Discrepancies between vendor terms and client expectations can result in disputes and legal challenges.

• Dependency on Providers: Both SaaS and HaaS models make firms dependent on external vendors for uptime, support, and updates. Service disruptions or vendor instability can directly impact firm operations.

• Hardware Lifecycle Management: With HaaS, firms avoid upfront hardware costs but must rely on the provider for timely upgrades, maintenance, and support. Poor vendor performance can lead to outdated equipment, downtime, or security gaps.

• Cost Over Time: While SaaS and HaaS reduce initial capital expenditures, ongoing subscription fees may add up, potentially exceeding the cost of traditional ownership in the long term if not carefully managed.

Lawyers need to know the pros and cons in using saas and haas products!

While SaaS and HaaS offer significant advantages, law firms must address these risks through robust security practices, careful contract negotiation, and ongoing vendor management to protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity. This may be easier for large law firms but difficult if not nearly impossible for mid- to small- to solo-size law practices.

Why Law Firms Should Care
Both SaaS and HaaS offer flexibility, scalability, and security that traditional IT models cannot match. By leveraging these services, law firms can modernize operations, improve client service, and reduce risk. The right contracts and due diligence are critical to ensure business continuity and compliance in a rapidly evolving legal tech landscape.