The Geek In Review

Matthew Dickinson, CEO and founder of Vable, shares insights on the legal industry's transformation due to generative AI. He discusses the shift from information overload to personalized, actionable insights that integrate seamlessly into lawyers' workflows. Matthew emphasizes the ethical considerations surrounding AI use, outlining four pillars: trust, transparency, accuracy, and inclusion. The conversation also touches on how law firms can leverage advanced technology for client engagement while maintaining the essential human element in decision-making.

Trevor Quick, Strategic Business Development lead at Harvey.ai, shares insights into the game-changing evolution of the company in legal tech. He discusses the impressive $300 million Series E funding and how Harvey.ai's integration with LexisNexis is streamlining legal research. Trevor highlights the importance of collaboration between legal experts and AI engineers and how tailored solutions are transforming workflows for lawyers. He also touches on Harvey's expansion into new sectors like tax and accounting, showcasing innovative applications for legal tech.

Avaneesh Marwaha, CEO of Litera, shares his insights on steering a legal tech company through the AI boom. He discusses the critical shift from acquisition-driven growth to fostering in-house AI innovation. Avaneesh highlights the challenge of 'adoption fatigue' among law firms overwhelmed by numerous AI tools. He emphasizes the need for a cultural transformation in legal workplaces, advocating for meaningful AI integration that boosts efficiency and decision-making while maintaining human oversight in the evolving landscape of legal technology.

Otto von Zastrow, founder and CEO of MidPage.AI, shares his innovative journey transforming legal research. He discusses the launch of MidPage.AI, designed to streamline case law interaction with smarter search tools and an intuitive UI. Otto reveals their unique Proposition Search feature, aimed at solving the 'needle-in-a-haystack' problem. He also touches on the challenges of competing against giants like Lexis and Westlaw, emphasizing how AI can empower new entrants in the legal tech arena.

In this unique discussion, ChatGPT Voice—an AI model skilled in legal tech insights—takes center stage. It highlights the transformative shift towards agentic AI tools in legal workflows, reshaping service delivery and access to justice. The conversation touches on innovative pricing models and the integration of AI in core legal tasks like contract review. Notably, the importance of human oversight is emphasized to maintain trust as technology evolves. Insights from industry leaders also underscore the balance of ethics and efficiency in the legal field.

Cornell Winston, the current President of the American Association of Law Libraries, and President-Elect Jenny Silbiger, discuss the future of legal information in a rapidly changing world. They emphasize the importance of transparency and active member involvement in navigating challenges faced by legal advocates. The duo highlights the ongoing advocacy efforts despite staffing gaps and the need for reliable information amidst technological advancements. The excitement builds for the upcoming AALL Conference in Portland, where opportunities for networking and learning await.

Feargus MacDaeid, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Definely, is visually impaired and transformed his personal challenges into an accessible contract review tool. Nnamdi Emelifeonwu, co-founder and CEO, collaborated closely with Feargus to enhance legal tech for all. They delve into the cognitive burdens lawyers face with traditional contract reviews and how their AI tool simplifies this process. The conversation emphasizes equitable solutions for all attorneys and the innovative journey that led to Definely's development.

Philip Young, Co-founder and CEO of Garfield AI, shares insights from his journey establishing the first AI-powered law firm in the UK. He discusses the emotional stakes of using AI in legal settings, including the use of avatars for testimonies and the ethical dilemmas deepfakes raise. Drawing from a personal story about helping his brother-in-law with debt recovery, he explains how Garfield AI simplifies the small claims process. Philip emphasizes the importance of human oversight and regulatory compliance while exploring AI's potential to enhance access to justice.

Matt Rasmussen, Founder and CEO of ModeOne, shares his journey from frustration to innovation in mobile device discovery. With over 20 years in litigation tech, he reveals how ModeOne revolutionizes data collection, speeding up processes from weeks to hours while protecting user privacy. He discusses the challenges of traditional forensic methods, the power of cloud scalability, and the increasing need for secure, efficient solutions amid regulatory pressures. Plus, insights on sustainable growth in a competitive startup landscape make for a captivating listen.

Kris Satkunas, Director of Strategic Consulting at LexisNexis, and Toby Brown, CEO at DV8 Legal Strategies, dive into the 2025 CounselLink Trends Report. They reveal rising partner billing rates, especially in M&A and regulatory work, while clients become savvier in managing costs. The conversation highlights a staggering 61% rate gap between large and mid-sized firms, influenced by the presence of pricing professionals. Toby brings skepticism about firm strategies as they navigate the shifting landscape of legal pricing and technology adoption.