In a week dominated by press releases from vendors exhibiting at the Legalweek conference in New York, here are the announcements you need to know about in brief, broken down into product launches, new partnerships and hires, and survey results.
PRODUCT LAUNCHES
Logikcull has unveiled a new suite of AI features that it says can reduce discovery time by up to 90%, including an integration with ChatGPT.
The new suite of tools include:
- Logikbot AI: A command line tool that’s present on the document viewer. Using ChatGPT, Logikbot lets users command all kinds of actions, such as “summarize this document” or “translate to English.”
- Suggested Tags: An active learning AI that will suggest tags users should apply to a document based on other similar documents.
- Automations: an AI automation engine that allows users to program Logikcull’s AI routines
“This is the world’s first ever integration of ChatGPT with a legal discovery product,” said CEO Andy Wilson. “Discovery is all about finding the needle in a haystack, and that can be an extremely time consuming, and expense prospect. It’s also a job better suited for a sophisticated AI solution than manual human effort. With our new suite of AI-powered tools we are one step closer to fulfilling our missions of democratizing discovery, and access to legal services more broadly.”
Cloud-native eDiscovery platform Everlaw unveiled three new features at the Legalweek show – Communication Visualizer, Video Depositions and Cloud Connectors for Zoom.
Everlaw’s Video Depositions gives users the ability to support videos from a deposition and sync with transcript, see the deposition video and transcript side by side, and automatically create video snippets whenever transcripts are highlighted. This integrates with Storybuilder.
“Reading a transcript without the video is only seeing half a story with important details such as body language, tone, pauses and facial expressions that are not apparent from the static page of a transcript,” said Everlaw’s CEO and founder, AJ Shankar. “With Everlaw Video Depositions, legal teams can see beyond the written transcript to unearth the truth.”
Cloud Connectors is a streamlined way to ingest data directly from Zoom and nine other enterprise applications and data sources so legal teams can access information quickly and securely, helping them draw near-instant insights for litigation and investigation matters.
“Since Zoom has exploded in the business world, it has been a top focus for our engineers to marry Zoom’s content and metadata to retain the holistic context of its meaning,” Shankar said. “Taming what we call ‘the Zoom Boom’ is another way for Everlaw to remove clunky extra steps for legal teams so they can quickly chart a path to the truth.”
In addition to Zoom, Everlaw’s 10 cloud connectors now include Slack, Google Vault and Microsoft 365. Salesforce, Asana, Zendesk and Jira are more Cloud Connectors to come.
And, based on the concept of social network analysis, Communication Visualizer is designed to uncover hidden relationships in conversations often concealed in big data sets to better identify outliers and patterns.
“With Communication Visualizer, we’re employing social network analytics that enables true discovery without needing to train a model,” said Shankar. “Legal teams can gain an immediate understanding of even subtle behaviors of the people they are investigating, such as who is talking with whom and what cliques have formed. Together, Clustering and predictive coding – which reveal the “what” behind the data – and Communication Visualizer – revealing the “who” – are much needed force multipliers to close the growing ediscovery gap.”
No-code contract intelligence platform Evisort has unveiled new AI contract processing capability with advanced OCR ingesting. Evisort says that its proprietary AI has made a massive leap in capacity — now ingesting and analyzing up to 450,000 contracts per day to help organizations gain value even faster.
The platform now recognizes multilingual handwriting and typed text, including non-Latin characters from Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other languages, enabling customers to develop a more accurate lens into their worldwide operations.
Evisort AI Labs has also trained generative AI capabilities that help users draft, redline and negotiate contracts based on existing AI contract data and large language models.
Enterprise digital services company Hanzo has unveiled Spotlight+, which helps users to discover data in cloud applications such as Microsoft Teams, Slack and Google Workspace.
“It’s not uncommon for large organizations to have to make sense of thousands of channels and millions of messages,” commented Dave Ruel, VP of product at Hanzo. “We’re embedding AI in Illuminate and adding categorization libraries that can rapidly analyze massive repositories of data, documents, and other artifacts, which will help enterprises more easily discover, classify, and protect sensitive data stored within cloud applications such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Workspace and more.”
The AI-powered data enhancement automates the detection of PII, toxicity, unwanted behaviors, and more. Customers can filter using facets to pinpoint sensitive information and discover specific classifications during early case assessment for rapid insights into the data before export and outside counsel review.
Online litigation platform Opus 2 has announced the latest version of Opus 2 Case Management, which includes new dashboards and new branded collaboration portals for law firm clients and third parties.
“Forward-thinking law firms are breaking away from standard off-the-shelf software tools that limit their ability to differentiate their services because these tools simply cannot adapt to the variety of workflow needs within the firm,” says Don Fuchs, senior vice president, Business Development at Opus 2. “We have redefined what a modern case management system should look like by enhancing both how the case teams work internally as well as their ability to adapt their delivery of legal services in ways that create unique value for each of their clients.”
The new features include:
- Connected Portals: firm-branded sites that allow clients and third-parties secure, managed access to case materials and information.
- Advanced dashboards: new enhanced widgets that can be combined to provide customized insight and updates for different users.
- Advanced Worksheets: fully customizable worksheets allow users to manage and analyze evidence unique to their matter, practice area, or client need.
- Collections: organize files securely into virtual folders without disrupting shared file organization or creating copies.
- Organizations: new organizations worksheets to track entities in a case.
Legal and accounting software provide CARET Legal (previously Zola Suite) has announced a new subscription offering dubbed Enterprise Advance, which includes document automation, powered by HotDocs. Accessible within the CARET Legal platform, this document automation allows legal teams to create customized templates and documents in a fraction of the time.
“At CARET, our goal is to provide legal professionals with the technology and automation they need to create space for what matters,” says Keri Gohman, CEO of CARET. “By embedding the unmatched document automation power of HotDocs within CARET Legal, we are bringing enterprise technology to midsize firms to dramatically increase the space in their day for the practice of law and delighting clients.”
PARTNERSHIPS AND HIRES
Global eDiscovery vendor Consilio has announced a partnership with leading data management provider Onna. The partnership’s initial release is Sightline Collect, powered by Onna, providing connectors to cloud applications including Microsoft, Google, Atlassian, Slack, and Zoom.
As the industry continues to undergo digital transformation at a rapid pace, enterprises are struggling to keep up with the vast amount of unstructured and diverse data types produced by chat, audio, and video applications. The partnership between Consilio’s Sightline and Onna simplifies and automates the collection and processing of collaboration, communication, and content data. We’re told that Sightline accelerates time-to-review by up to 25%.
“While the pandemic certainly accelerated digital transformation for enterprises, it’s clear the world will only get more digital. Sightline Collect was built to combat information overload and equip teams with the tools they need to acquire and convert this data into a reviewable format faster and more efficiently,” said Pete Feinberg, senior vice president for product and innovation at Consilio. “Onna’s impressive capabilities and track record in knowledge discovery make them an ideal partner, and we look forward to continuing to work together to further establish Consilio as the premier provider of legal technology services.”
FTI Consulting’s Technology segment has entered into a partnership with cloud document management vendor NetDocuments. This partnership will allow FTI Technology’s Corporate Legal Operations practice to provide clients with more flexible and integrated native cloud-based solutions for core legal department functions, such as document and content management.
“Legal operations professionals have a long list of priorities for the coming year and are looking for support across areas including strategic transformation, technical implementations and change management,” said Wafik Guirgis, a senior managing director and global co-leader of FTI Technology’s Corporate Legal Operations practice. “To better serve the needs of our clients in each of these areas, and as an extension of our ongoing strategic expansion of our corporate legal operations offerings, we’re developing partnerships with leading solutions providers like NetDocuments. Working across the legal technology ecosystem, FTI Technology supports clients in improving their return on technology investments and accelerating adoption of tools that improve overall efficiency and empower collaboration and knowledge sharing.”
ALSP Redgrave Data this week announced the expansion of its team, including the hiring of Jeremy Pickens, PhD, as its new head of applied science. The expansion comes at a time of exponential growth at Redgrave Data. Since launching in January 2022, demand for its custom software and project management solutions has quadrupled and the company has taken on some of the world’s largest tech companies as clients while expanding its team and creating new opportunities in the legal tech space.
The Redgrave Data team now has two of the top data scientists in the industry, including Pickens, who will join the team this month, and Dave Lewis, the company’s chief scientific officer. The Redgrave Data team is led by co-founder Mollie Nichols; the other co-founders include Lewis, Scott Culbertson, Mark Noel, and Lindsey Worth.
Workflow automation and eSignature tool OnTask has announced a new partnership with legal case management software provider SmartAdvocate. The channel partnership positions OnTask as an integrated eSignature and workflow automation provider for SmartAdvocate, and brings the tool’s flexible solutions to legal firms nationwide.
“SmartAdvocate users are looking for customizable solutions that offer flexibility and versatility, which is what OnTask does best,” said Steve Wilson, President of OnTask. “In addition to our eSignature and workflow automation solutions, our customer support and engineering staff will ensure that these solutions continue to meet evolving needs throughout the partnership.”
OnTask’s legal workflow automation software helps streamline firms’ documentation processes. This includes capturing legally binding electronic signatures, improving client intake procedures, enabling team collaboration, and securely collecting and storing documents.
The partnership provides a more cost-effective and consistent eSignature solution for SmartAdvocate’s customers. Additionally, law firms utilizing the tool will enjoy improved integration functionality and efficiency in their processes.
Opus 2 has announced a partnership with SeeUnity – An Anaqua Company, a leading provider of API-based content integration and migration solutions for on-premise and cloud-based Enterprise Content Management applications. The partnership provides document management system (DMS) integrations for all Opus 2 solutions such as Opus 2 Case Management, Opus 2 Case Preparation and Opus 2 Investigations.
Commenting on the SeeUnity partnership and new DMS integrations, Oliver McClintock, Chief Commercial Officer, at Opus 2 said: “Our clients rely on us to eliminate barriers and manual processes, so they can focus on the substantive issues in their matters and add more value to their clients. The SeeUnity partnership enables us to deliver a flexible and scalable DMS integration, which is another key milestone in delivering that vision.”
SURVEYS
LexisNexis Legal & Professional this week released results from a survey of 1,176 US lawyers, 1,239 law students, and 1,765 consumers demonstrating that the legal market is significantly more aware of generative AI than the general population (88% vs. 57%). The research was conducted to better understand overall awareness of generative AI, current use of generative AI tools in daily work, and willingness to adopt generative AI tools for various legal matters.
According to the March 2023 study, 57% of consumers are aware of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, 32% said they have used generative AI, with half of these (15%) stating they had tried generative AI for legal advice or assistance. There were strong socioeconomic differences in the consumer data. The younger (under 45), wealthier, male, and more educated the respondent, the more likely they were to have tried generative AI for legal purposes.
Awareness was significantly higher among lawyers (86%). Of these, half (51%) had either already used it in their work or were planning on doing so. This is because 84% believe generative AI tools will increase the efficiency of lawyers, paralegals, or law clerks. It’s not just the practice of law, 61% of lawyers and 44% of law students also believe generative AI will change law schools and the way law is taught and studied.
“We’ve been delivering leading legal AI and analytics tools for some time, providing lawyers with data-driven insights that make it easier for them to do their jobs,” said Mike Walsh, CEO of LexisNexis Legal & Professional. “Generative AI and large language models have tremendous potential to transform the way legal work is done. Our R&D labs are continually experimenting and releasing new innovations, and this survey reflects how lawyers, law students, and consumers alike are embracing legal tech in new and exciting ways.”
The top five ways law firms, corporate counsel, and law students are currently or would like to use generative AI tools in their daily work include:
- Increasing efficiency (61% of lawyers, 60% of law students)
- Researching matters (59% of lawyers, 55% of law students)
- Drafting documents (53% of lawyers, 43% of law students)
- Streamlining work (46% of lawyers, 40% of law students)
- Document analysis (40% of lawyers, 34% of law students)
The survey revealed that a majority of lawyers and law students can see potential in generative AI in advancing the practice of law (77% positive or mixed sentiment toward impact). However, many cite concerns about the ethical implications (87% of lawyers, 91% of law students, and 72% of consumers).
“Generative AI technologies can deliver significant benefits to lawyers, law students, and consumers, and we’re only just beginning to tap into their potential,” said Jamie Buckley, Chief Product Officer, LexisNexis Legal & Professional. “However, large language models are only as good as their training data, and it’s essential to employ responsible AI principles in leveraging this new technology.”
IPRO has released the result of a State of Law Firm Industry survey, which looks at the key challenges faced by law firms in 2023, and how they expect technology can support their practices.
The highlights include:
- 80% of law firm professionals believe AI-driven eDiscovery technology can help their firm to improve operational efficiency
- 73% aim to use technology to be more competitive
- 69% of surveyed law firms professionals said they use AI-powered eDiscovery technology the most when conducting any form of civil litigation. ‘Technology Assisted Review’ and ‘Classification of documents’ features were most widely used to respond to an inquiry or litigation in 2022. However, over 30% of surveyed respondents see potential for improvement with how their firms use AI-driven eDiscovery technology on a daily basis.
- 54% of survey respondents said that they tend to collect data from 3 to 5 sources on average per case.
- Over 50% of survey respondents highlighted new client acquisition as the main challenge they foresee in 2023.
- 47% of law firm respondents emphasized the lack of internal efficiency as the most prevailing factor to enforce the biggest challenges for them in 2023. This finding, in turn, correlates with law firms spending too much time and budget per task/case (pointed out by 40%).
The survey of 182 legal professionals was conducted in December in a partnership with the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS). The findings also come on the heels of a survey of in-house legal professionals released earlier this month revealed budget constraints are expected to be the biggest challenge for legal professionals in 2023.