LawTech Weekly Briefing - Mar 09 - Mar 14, 2025
Clio's acquisition of ShareDo marks a significant shift in legal tech, emphasizing scalability, integration, and AI-driven solutions, while expanding offerings for firms of all sizes.
Welcome to your weekly briefing. Here's what happened in Legal Tech This Week.
Here's a consolidated version of your weekly recap newsletter:
AI, Leadership, and Industry Consolidation
The legal industry continues to evolve rapidly, with significant developments in leadership, artificial intelligence (AI), and legal technology consolidation. Managing Partners (MPs) are at the forefront of strategic decision-making, balancing traditional leadership responsibilities with the growing need to embrace innovation. AI’s role in legal practice is expanding, offering productivity enhancements and raising concerns about job displacement and security. Meanwhile, Clio’s acquisition of ShareDo signals a shift toward serving larger law firms, reflecting a broader trend of consolidation within legal tech.
Key Trends Shaping Legal Tech
- AI Integration in Legal Processes – Adopting AI-powered tools, such as Merlin Search Technologies’ Alchemy and Lexis Create+, is becoming mainstream, enhancing efficiency in legal research, data analysis, and case management. However, ethical concerns, bias reduction, and human oversight remain crucial.
- Leadership in a Changing Legal Landscape – MPs are navigating an increasingly complex environment where strategic foresight is essential to balancing firm growth, technology adoption, and operational efficiency.
- Industry Consolidation & Expansion – Mergers and acquisitions, including Clio’s purchase of ShareDo and the merger of SOS Legal and Linetime, highlight a trend toward integrated, scalable legal tech solutions. iManage’s global expansion and Norm Ai’s recent funding round further demonstrate growing investment in AI-driven legal solutions.
- Regulatory & Governmental Support for Digital Transformation – Initiatives like the UK’s investment in LawtechUK and the EU’s Digital Networks Act underscore a governmental push towards modernizing legal services, emphasizing compliance, data protection, and digital innovation.
Analysis: What This Means for Legal Professionals
For legal professionals, these trends highlight a crucial need to adapt. Strong leadership is essential for balancing traditional legal practice with innovation. The rise of AI presents opportunities for efficiency gains but requires careful management to mitigate risks. Law firms must invest in AI training and secure implementation to remain competitive. Additionally, consolidation within legal tech suggests firms should explore strategic partnerships to enhance their technological capabilities. With evolving regulatory frameworks, staying informed about digital laws and ethical AI practices will be key to maintaining a competitive edge in the profession.
As legal technology continues to advance, the firms that successfully integrate AI, embrace strategic leadership, and leverage industry partnerships will be best positioned for long-term success.
Key stories
Job Description: Managing Partner (Adam Smith, Esq.)
The role of a Managing Partner (MP) in a law firm is unique and multifaceted, combining elements of leadership, strategic planning, and client management. Unlike other industries, where leaders often step away from day-to-day operational roles, law firm MPs frequently continue to serve clients while steering the firm. This dual responsibility underscores the exceptional nature of the position within the legal sector.
Despite its critical importance, many MPs operate without formal job descriptions, leading to varied interpretations of the role. Key responsibilities often include consensus building, defining strategic objectives, and serving as change agents. Internally, MPs focus on articulating strategic directions and ensuring effective integration of business practices. Externally, they enhance client relations and market visibility.
Evaluative criteria for MPs should be rigorous yet flexible, reflecting the firm's overall success and adaptability to market changes. Ultimately, strong leadership is pivotal for a law firm's success, making the selection and role definition of an MP crucial.
Poll: nearly 80% of legal professionals say they'd benefit from AI at work (Legal Technology News - Legal IT Professionals | Everything legal technology)
The recent survey by The Access Group reveals that nearly 80% of legal professionals see AI as beneficial in their work, primarily for managing time and handling repetitive tasks. Currently, 44% of legal professionals are using AI, with many expressing optimism about its potential benefits. The survey highlights that AI is most commonly used in the tech and HR sectors, with lower adoption rates in not-for-profit and health sectors. Legal professionals note AI's ability to reduce workloads, save money, and boost productivity. However, concerns remain about AI potentially replacing jobs, with over half of respondents expressing this fear. Additionally, issues about the accuracy, data security, and reliability of AI results are prevalent. The Access Group emphasizes the need for secure, responsible AI use, advocating for tools like Access Evo to ensure data protection and encourage innovation.
Clio Plants Its Flag In Big Law Land with Acquisition of Enterprise Law Firm Software Provider ShareDo (LawSites)
Clio's acquisition of ShareDo marks a significant strategic shift, expanding its focus from small and mid-sized law firms to include large law firms. This move aligns with Clio's mission to transform the legal experience for all, now targeting the lucrative and traditionally underserved large law firm market. ShareDo, known for its robust cloud-based case management solutions, complements Clio's offerings without direct integration, catering to the preference of large firms for best-of-breed solutions. The acquisition not only enhances Clio's market reach but also opens new partnership opportunities and potential synergies between Clio's existing capabilities and ShareDo's platform. This expansion positions Clio to influence the legal industry's shift towards modern, flexible technology solutions.
All of the rest
Legal Technology Advancements
Merlin Search Technologies introduced Alchemy, a GenAI platform that converts unstructured data into actionable insights for legal professionals. Utilizing advanced LLMs such as Claude and GPT, Alchemy provides real-time cost estimation for transparent pricing. This platform is an evolution of their previous DiscoveryPartner, focusing on enhancing data analysis in the legal field.
Merlin Search Technologies has launched Alchemy, a generative AI platform for legal teams. Alchemy offers features like dual-window prompts, document intelligence, and real-time cost estimation, enhancing legal discovery processes. It is designed for tasks such as transcript analysis, medical record processing, and trial preparation, and will soon be publicly available.
SOS Legal and Linetime have merged under the SOS brand to improve legal practice management software for large law firms. This merger aims to streamline workflows and increase efficiency through innovative technology. The integrated company promises future-focused solutions and top-tier customer support.
DeepJudge has introduced AI Workflows, allowing law firms to develop custom AI applications using their existing data. The platform integrates enterprise-grade search with AI to efficiently analyze large volumes of legal information. This innovation boosts productivity and client service by utilizing firms' existing knowledge bases.
Altorney has introduced MARC, an AI-driven platform designed for secure legal discovery and investigations in corporate cloud settings. Led by legal tech expert Stephen Goldstein, MARC integrates with existing data systems to boost efficiency and cut costs. The platform ensures compliance and defensibility, aiming to streamline legal processes and manage legal expenses effectively.
iManage experienced significant growth in 2024, with a 42% increase in annual recurring revenue and 305 new customers. The company expanded globally by launching a new cloud region in Switzerland and introduced AI-powered services and enhanced product offerings like iManage Insight+. CEO Neil Araujo highlighted the company's focus on innovation and customer solutions, indicating strong momentum for 2025.
Webinar Replay: The AI revolution in legal tech – Preparing for 2025 and beyond (Legal IT Insider)
A recent webinar explored the integration of AI tools in legal workflows to boost efficiency and improve document management. It highlighted the need for ethical AI practices, focusing on transparency and bias reduction. The discussion also included strategies for futureproofing legal organizations by adapting talent and effectively leveraging AI.
Litigation Funder Partners With Predictive AI Theo (As Predicted) (Artificial Lawyer)
Theo, an AI platform for litigation, has teamed up with Mustang Litigation Funding to improve case selection and efficiency. The AI enhances accuracy, streamlines workflows, and reduces risks through data and analytics. This partnership aims to boost Mustang's profitability by targeting high-value cases and automating processes.
AL TV Walk Through: Lexis Create+ GenAI Drafting (Artificial Lawyer)
LexisNexis has launched Lexis Create+, a generative AI tool integrated with Microsoft 365. It aids lawyers by connecting to document management systems and LexisNexis resources for drafting and proofreading. The tool offers AI-enhanced features for creating personalized, high-quality legal documents.
In 2025, legal AI is revolutionizing law firms with advanced platforms that boost efficiency and client service. These systems streamline workflows, minimize administrative tasks, and provide predictive insights. The move towards unified practice ecosystems and hybrid models is transforming legal service delivery and tracking.
LawtechUK receives further £1.5m to drive legal startup investment (Legal IT Insider)
The UK government has invested an extra £1.5 million in the LawtechUK programme to boost digital transformation in legal services. LawtechUK has supported over 176 startups and significantly impacted the legal sector, which employs over 300,000 people. Led by LegalGeek and Codebase, the initiative provides free resources and connects businesses with investors to promote innovation and accessibility.
Homburger AG, a Zurich law firm, is moving to iManage Cloud with a new Swiss data center to meet client location needs. The firm is working with IRIS Nederland for the transition, which will finish by mid-2025. This shift aims to boost security, integrate Microsoft Teams, and enable co-authoring for around 375 users.
Wolters Kluwer Launches Legal Fee Benchmarking Tool (Artificial Lawyer)
Wolters Kluwer introduced LegalVIEW DynamicInsights to help law firms and in-house legal teams manage costs using a large database of legal invoices. The tool provides interactive visualizations and insights to improve transparency and strategic planning. It aims to promote fixed fee arrangements, crucial for large-scale AI integration, though full pricing transparency is still challenging.
Digitising Property Sales: A Welcome Reform (Artificial Lawyer)
The UK Government aims to modernise the property market by embracing digitalisation. Digital ID verification in the private sector is already enhancing transaction speed, security, and compliance. Government and private sector collaboration is crucial for achieving a fully digital property market.
FFO: AI + Lawyer Training, NY + California, Lexis Create+ (Artificial Lawyer)
The article discusses key legal events and tools, emphasizing AI's role in transforming the industry. Highlights include a webinar on AI in lawyer training, the Lexis Create+ contract drafting tool, and the Legal Innovators California Conference. It also mentions Legal Week in New York, focusing on networking and tech advancements.
ProSearch has introduced four upgraded eDiscovery solutions: WorkStream™, Data Insights, Essential Review, and RelativityOne powered by ProSearch. These tools are designed to simplify complex data processes, enhance efficiency, and lower costs for legal teams facing growing data and regulatory pressures. ProSearch plans to present these innovations at Legalweek New York 2025.
AI in Legal Decision-Making
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals used ChatGPT in the Ross v. United States case, marking a significant use of AI in judicial decisions. The court reversed a conviction, with the dissent using AI to assess common knowledge on animal harm in hot cars. Judges stressed AI should aid, not replace, judicial reasoning, and highlighted concerns about security and bias.
DeepJudge Launches AI Agents Suite + Paulina Grnarova Interview (Artificial Lawyer)
DeepJudge, a Zurich-based startup, has introduced AI tools that enable law firms to create custom workflows without altering their data. This platform, used by clients like Gunderson Dettmer and CMS Switzerland, ensures efficient and secure connections between AI agents and internal data, enhancing legal decision-making. CEO Paulina Grnarova highlights the need for human oversight in AI, as the company plans to expand and innovate further.
Video interview: (Truly) understanding Agentic AI in legal (Legal IT Insider)
The article highlights the growing trend of agentic AI and its implications for autonomy. Catherine Bamford and Jill Schornack discuss these differences at the British Legal Technology Forum 2025. They stress the need for documenting AI decisions and establishing clear guardrails for safe AI use.
‘Missed-MFN-Gate’ and AI Contract Review (Artificial Lawyer)
A study by Vals Legal AI Report found that several Generative AI tools failed to identify critical Most Favored Nation (MFN) clauses in contract reviews. Noah Waisberg, CEO of Zuva, highlighted Zuva's success in consistently identifying these clauses, unlike GPT-4's inconsistent performance. He advises against fully relying on these AI tools for high-stakes contract reviews and stresses the need for further testing.
Legal Industry Trends and Reports
iManage announces 42% growth in annual recurring revenue (Legal IT Insider)
iManage reported a 42% increase in annual recurring revenue and expanded globally with a new cloud region in Switzerland in 2024. The company introduced AI-powered services and saw significant customer growth, notably with iManage Insight+ and iManage Closing Folders. CEO Neil Araujo highlighted their commitment to impactful innovations and maintaining customer trust.
AffiniPay's 2025 Legal Industry Report reveals key trends reshaping law firms. Generative AI, fintech, and flexible work are revolutionizing operations and client services. While AI adoption by individual lawyers grows, firm-wide use is cautious due to reliability and ethical concerns.
Will AI Turn Lawyers Into Care Bears? (Artificial Lawyer)
A Simmons & Simmons survey highlights AI's transformative impact on the legal industry. It emphasizes the need for empathy, tech skills, and wellbeing. Firms investing in people and technology will thrive, while changes in skills, pricing, and access for underserved communities are expected.
BLTF2025 Media Lounge: Law firm priorities for 2025 (Legal IT Insider)
At the British Legal Technology Forum 2025, experts discussed law firms' strategies for improving service delivery and meeting transformation goals. Many firms are under pressure to invest heavily in the latest cloud technology. Chris Ash from Ten10 noted the difficulty of balancing these tech investments with other priorities.
Clio has acquired UK-based ShareDo to boost its legal practice management solutions for large enterprises. ShareDo will continue as an independent product, with future integration into Clio's services. This acquisition aims to strengthen both companies' market positions and enhance their offerings in the enterprise legal sector.
Clio has acquired ShareDo to expand into the enterprise legal market. This move enhances Clio's global presence and aims to transform large law firms with advanced technology. ShareDo's CEO, Ben Nicholson, will continue to lead the platform, ensuring continuity and growth.
Your law firm needs a Situation Room (Jordan Furlong)
Law firms should create in-house "Situation Rooms" to anticipate global changes. These teams would include lawyers and experts across fields to offer strategic insights. This approach helps firms provide research-based guidance to clients in an unpredictable world.
Legal Compliance and Ethics
The GDPR empowers individuals to comprehend automated decisions that significantly impact their lives, such as those affecting finances or employment. This regulation promotes transparency and accountability in automated decision-making processes. It ensures that individuals are informed and protected when subject to such decisions.
Where is the outrage? (3 Geeks and a Law Blog)
The article highlights concerns about the U.S. administration's attacks on Covington & Burling LLP and Perkins Coie LLP, stressing the importance of defending the rule of law. It calls for unity within the legal and LegalTech communities, regardless of political differences, to protect legal principles. The piece urges action against political intimidation of lawyers, emphasizing the non-partisan nature of the rule of law.
Norm Ai Bags $48m To Police Your AI Agents (Artificial Lawyer)
Norm Ai secured $48 million to enhance its AI-driven compliance platform. The company uses its Legal Engineering Automation Platform to integrate compliance checks into business processes. Investors like Coatue and Bain Capital back Norm Ai's mission, with strategic hires such as ex-SEC Commissioner Troy Paredes bolstering their efforts.
Practicing Law Authoritarian Style (3 Geeks and a Law Blog)
The article explores how law firms might function under an authoritarian regime, contrasting it with the current U.S. model. It suggests that law firms would likely face state control and compromised operations, affecting their structure, client relationships, and ethical standards. The author concludes that the U.S. legal system is preferable due to its emphasis on independence and the rule of law.
The Digital Networks Act: A new era for EU telecoms regulation (Technology's Legal Edge)
The EU's Digital Networks Act aims to unify the telecommunications market across member states. It seeks to harmonize spectrum management and enhance digital infrastructure for emerging technologies. This significant reform balances robust regulation with adaptability.
Access to Justice and Legal Advocacy
The documentary "Justice: Just A Promise?" explores the access to justice crisis and is directed by Laura Hand with production by Maya Markovich. The film offers a rare glimpse into Los Angeles County courts and is currently seeking crowdfunding on Indiegogo for completion. Supported by sponsors like Paradigm and Briefpoint, the project is featured on LawNext, encouraging audience engagement with the podcast and its mission.
Contend Gets Funding To Address Unmet Legal Needs (Artificial Lawyer)
Contend, a legal tech startup, has raised pre-Seed funding to offer affordable online legal support in England & Wales. The platform uses generative AI to create legal documents and provide guidance through a conversational interface, aiming to make legal services more accessible. Supported by investors like Supernode Global and the LegalTech Fund, Contend plans to expand its AI features and legal coverage.