LawTech Weekly Briefing - Mar 24 - Mar 28, 2025
LexisNexis debuted Protégé, a legal-specific AI assistant. Law Business Research & ALM merged. AI is transforming workflows, but compliance is key. Embrace innovation!
Welcome to your weekly briefing. Here's what happened in Legal Tech This Week.
Here's a consolidated version of your weekly recap newsletter:
The Big Picture
Legal tech took some major strides this week. The headline-grabber was LexisNexis rolling out Protégé, their new voice AI assistant built specifically for attorneys. It's not just another generic AI tool - Protégé handles everything from planning your day to drafting documents, analyzing expert witnesses, and supercharging legal research. Meanwhile, we saw a significant market shift with Law Business Research and ALM joining forces to create what looks to be a formidable legal intelligence company. Several other providers weren't sitting still either: Opus 2 and Rev both unveiled AI enhancements to their platforms, eDiscovery Assistant rebranded as Minerva26 (likely positioning for a broader market), and companies like Verbit and iManage added new AI capabilities to their existing offerings. Worth noting for anyone doing business in China - they've tightened regulations around AI content labeling, which could impact operations there. Finally, the launch of the Association for AI in Legal (A4L) signals the industry's growing focus on responsible AI adoption.
What We're Seeing
The push toward AI that genuinely understands legal work is accelerating. Rather than generic tools, we're seeing solutions built from the ground up for legal professionals - Protégé being a prime example. This isn't just window dressing; these platforms are tackling specific pain points in case management, contract drafting, and particularly eDiscovery, where the efficiency gains are substantial. Collaboration features are becoming must-haves rather than nice-to-haves, with iManage's co-authoring capabilities and NexLaw's workflow improvements addressing the reality that legal work rarely happens in isolation. The cloud migration continues to pick up steam, with industry leaders like Relativity and Everlaw showing the way. Perhaps most interesting is how regulatory developments are forcing vendors to rethink their approaches - you can't just build cool tech anymore; it has to be compliant from day one.
What It Means For You
If you've been on the fence about embracing legal tech, these developments suggest the time for waiting is over. Tools like Protégé and Opus 2's AI Workbench aren't just incremental improvements - they're changing how legal work gets done at a fundamental level. The efficiency gains are real and increasingly measurable. The Law Business Research/ALM merger points to the growing value of comprehensive, integrated information sources that connect dots across jurisdictions and practice areas. For firm leaders, there's a clear competitive advantage in being an early adopter, but with that comes the responsibility to navigate the regulatory landscape thoughtfully. China's content labeling laws are likely just the beginning of more oversight in this space. The firms that will thrive are those that find the sweet spot between innovation and compliance, leveraging these tools to deliver better client outcomes while maintaining the ethical standards our profession demands. Bottom line: technology isn't just supporting legal practice anymore - it's actively reshaping it, and those who adapt stand to benefit enormously.
Key stories
As Legalweek Kicks Off in NYC, LexisNexis Unveils Legal Industry’s First Voice AI Assistant In Protégé (LawSites)
The launch of LexisNexis Protégé, introduced at Legalweek in New York, marks a significant advancement in legal technology. Touted as the first personalized voice AI assistant for the legal industry, Protégé aims to streamline complex legal tasks through natural voice interactions. This innovation allows legal professionals to engage with AI without relying on text prompts, enhancing ease and efficiency in legal work.
Protégé's new features, such as voice-enabled AI and advanced reasoning capabilities, promise to transform legal workflows. The Planner Agent and Interactive Agent facilitate dynamic task management and user collaboration, while the Self-Reflection Agent enhances document drafting quality. Moreover, the platform's expert witness analytics and legal prompt suggestions offer valuable insights, even to those less familiar with AI.
Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO of LexisNexis North America, UK, and Ireland, emphasizes the company's commitment to making AI collaboration seamless and productive. This launch is a step forward in integrating AI seamlessly into legal practices, offering a more intuitive and beneficial experience for legal professionals.
All of the rest
Legal Technology and AI
Opus 2 announces AI Workbench to transform case management, strategy, and analysis (LawSites)
Opus 2 introduced AI Workbench, a tool integrated into its legal case management software, to boost case strategy using generative AI. This tool enables legal professionals to swiftly analyze documents, extract insights, and streamline workflows, enhancing efficiency and collaboration. Leading law firms have welcomed AI Workbench, noting significant improvements in information processing and decision-making during litigation.
Verbit Launches Legal Visor, An AI-Powered Tool To Deliver Real-Time Deposition Insights (LawSites)
Verbit introduced Legal Visor, an AI-driven platform that improves transcription accuracy and detects inconsistencies during legal proceedings. It integrates smoothly into legal workflows, providing attorneys with strategic insights and supporting multiple languages. Future enhancements will include sentiment analysis and body language interpretation, with pricing based on user numbers.
Theorem Launches Private Offer RFP Tool for Legal Tech and Legal Services Providers (LawSites)
Theorem Legal Tech Marketplace has introduced an AI-powered RFP tool to streamline legal procurement. It offers features like AI-enhanced matchmaking, anonymous requests, and preferred provider support. Partnering with Priori Legal Marketplace, the tool connects users to a global network of vetted legal providers.
LexisNexis has launched Protégé, the first voice AI assistant for the legal industry. Protégé aims to improve legal workflows and productivity with voice commands and reasoning tools. The platform focuses on security, personalization, and collaboration, supported by partnerships with top AI technology providers.
iManage says Microsoft Co-authoring is now generally available (Legal IT Insider)
iManage has introduced Microsoft Co-authoring to its platform, allowing users to collaborate in real-time on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. This feature boosts productivity and efficiency by enabling seamless editing and version tracking from any location. Users can also track changes and revert to previous versions for error correction and content refinement.
Start Up Corner: Legal AI company NexLaw (Legal IT Insider)
NexLaw, founded by Francis Lui in 2023, is an AI legal tech startup enhancing legal workflows with tools for research, contract review, and case preparation. Its flagship product, NeXa, is already utilized by over 1,200 legal professionals. Despite challenges like regulatory compliance and resistance to AI adoption, NexLaw, supported by 500 Global, is focused on expanding its market presence and AI capabilities.
DraftWise has upgraded its AI contract drafting platform, Markup, enhancing its features and partnering with top law firms. The platform now integrates with Microsoft Word for real-time contract analysis and customization, targeting Big Law, Mid-Law, and in-house legal teams. After raising $20 million, DraftWise has doubled its team and expanded offices in NYC and London to meet growing demand.
Law Insider is introducing AI-powered tools for contract drafting, review, and redlining. These tools will be available in Microsoft Word and on their web platform, aimed at solo practitioners, small firms, and in-house counsel. The global launch on April 8, 2025, offers affordable solutions starting at $29 per month, featuring benchmarking and AI-assisted clause drafting.
Association Launches To Guide Legal Industry In Responsible Use of AI (LawSites)
The Association for AI in Legal (A4L) has been launched to bring together legal professionals, technologists, and policymakers. It aims to promote responsible AI use in law through education, networking, and ethical guidance. Inaugural memberships are open, encouraging participation to influence AI's future in the legal sector.
Bridget Mary McCormack, president and CEO of the American Arbitration Association, is spearheading a generative AI initiative. She is launching a course on AI strategy for law firms in collaboration with Creative Lawyers and the Practising Law Institute. The course, set for Spring 2025, aims to guide legal professionals in adopting AI, focusing on change management and practical implementation.
Legalweek25: Vox pop updates from iManage, Clio and Jigsaw (Legal IT Insider)
At Legalweek, iManage introduced a new co-authoring feature now available for users. Legal IT Insider's Caroline Hill spoke with iManage CEO Neil Araujo about its impact on end users. The discussion highlighted the significance of this development for the future of legal tech.
AI shifts – Automated and agentic workflows: BLTF2025 (Legal IT Insider)
At the British Legal Technology Forum, Alex Smelt and Karim Nassar explored AI's transformative impact on legal workflows. They emphasized AI's ability to unlock unstructured data, paving the way for automation and innovative work practices. By 2025, AI-driven processes are anticipated to significantly redefine client services in the legal industry.
Phil Saunders, CEO of Relativity, discusses the company's transition to cloud-based services on the LawNext podcast. He highlights the impact of new legal data challenges, advancing generative AI, and the industry's shift to the cloud. From 2028, all new matters must be hosted on RelativityOne, marking a significant move away from on-premises solutions.
Bot Mediation has created an AI platform to resolve legal disputes, which will be featured at the ABA Tech 2025 Pitch Competition. The platform provides 24/7 access, reduces costs, and uses data-driven mediation to address traditional challenges. Co-founders believe it can revolutionize mediation by offering a neutral and efficient settlement process.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Law Business Research and ALM merge (Legal IT Insider)
Law Business Research and ALM have merged to create a global legal intelligence provider. Nick Brailey will lead as the new group CEO, while Bill Carter steps down. EagleTree Capital retains ALM's business and finance division, and both companies will continue their existing product lines, enhancing their US, UK, and global market presence.
Rev’s SmartDepo Acquisition Powers Next-Generation AI for Testimony Analysis (LawSites)
Rev has acquired SmartDepo to improve AI-powered deposition summaries. This move combines Rev's transcription accuracy with SmartDepo's precise page-line citations. The acquisition strengthens Rev's position as a top AI partner for legal professionals, enhancing productivity and efficiency with integrated transcription and testimony analysis tools.
eDiscovery and Evidence Management
eDiscovery Assistant has rebranded as Minerva26. The platform will continue its core e-discovery functions while unveiling a new visual identity. Minerva26 emphasizes legal expertise and strategic management of electronic evidence.
eDiscovery Assistant Rebrands as Minerva26: A New Era of Strategic Discovery Begins (LawSites)
eDiscovery Assistant has rebranded as Minerva26, transforming into a strategic command center for discovery. The platform aligns with Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, offering expertise and strategic insight. Minerva26 provides an intuitive system with AI-driven insights, enhancing oversight and empowering litigators in managing ESI.
TalkingTech: How GenAI is changing eDiscovery strategy (Legal IT Insider)
Gloria Lee, Everlaw's chief legal officer, highlights the impact of generative AI on eDiscovery. With experience from Google and Fitbit, she explains how this technology helps legal teams efficiently analyze large data volumes. This transformation aids in developing more informed legal strategies.
Barnes & Thornburg Chooses Everlaw as Strategic Technology Partner for Ediscovery (LawSites)
Barnes & Thornburg LLP has partnered with Everlaw to boost its ediscovery capabilities. This multi-year agreement utilizes Everlaw's cloud-native platform and AI advancements to enhance productivity and client service. Both firms focus on innovation and technology to stay competitive and achieve successful outcomes.
With You In Every Case: DISCO Launches New Value Proposition (LawSites)
DISCO introduced "With You In Every Case," a new value proposition combining AI technology and expert services for legal support. Their AI platform, including Cecilia Auto Review, aims to improve precision and efficiency in eDiscovery. DISCO focuses on a partnership approach, offering tailored solutions and quicker evidence discovery.
Cybersecurity and Data Mining
Critical Data Mining Category Emerges in the Fight Against Rising Cyberthreats (LawSites)
ACTFORE has launched AI/ML-powered data mining technology to enhance incident response to complex cyberthreats. This technology improves speed, accuracy, and transparency by replacing outdated manual document review methods. Trusted by insurance carriers and law firms, ACTFORE's solutions ensure efficient, secure data processing and effective risk mitigation.
ACC report shows CLOs becoming leaders in cyber strategy (Legal IT Insider)
The ACC Foundation's 2025 State of Cybersecurity Report reveals the increasing involvement of Chief Legal Officers (CLOs) in cybersecurity. The report, based on a survey of 278 in-house legal professionals, shows 38% of CLOs are in leadership roles and 93% of organizations include legal members on incident response teams. It urges in-house counsel to boost their cybersecurity expertise to safeguard against legal, financial, and reputational risks.
Regulatory Developments
Starting 1 September 2025, Chinese internet providers must label AI-generated content clearly. These regulations aim to prevent misinformation and ensure safe AI development, aligning with China's existing AI laws. Businesses need to adjust their practices to meet these new standards, highlighting China's dedication to expanding AI regulations by 2026.
Navigating the future of cloud transformation (Technology's Legal Edge)
DLA Piper's webinar discussed the future of cloud transformation, highlighting complex contracts, AI integration, and regional regulatory changes. Key trends include rising AI adoption, multi-vendor solutions, and sustainability efforts, requiring strong governance. Developments like DORA and market competition are influencing cloud service pricing and operational standards.