

Legaltech Week
LawNext Media
A weekly round-up and review of news in legal technology and innovation, selected by industry leading journalists. Hosted by lawyer and journalist Bob Ambrogi.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 6, 2025 • 58min
02/28/25: California bar exam faces technical difficulties, experiments with Deep Research, and more
Steve Embry, a tech-savvy legal blogger, joins Nikki Black, a strategic mind at Affinapay, and Stephanie Wilkins, director at Legal Tech Hub. They dive into the chaos surrounding the California bar exam's online format, revealing the technical hiccups that could lead to legal battles. The trio also discusses the VALS AI benchmarks, questioning the transparency of AI tools in legal practices. Plus, they examine the intriguing evolution of e-discovery technologies and the looming competition from accounting firms stepping into the legal realm.

Feb 27, 2025 • 57min
02/21/25: Trump cancels SEC's Westlaw subscription, Deposely offers free AI litigation tool, & more
Join legal tech experts Joe Patrice, a writer for Above the Law, and Stephanie Wilkins, director at Legal Tech Hub, as they dive into the SEC's controversial Westlaw cancellation and its political undertones. Stephen Embry shares insights on KPMG's foray into legal services, while Niki Black discusses evolving ethical frameworks around AI in law firms. The panel lightens the mood with humorous analogies around Jell-O to promote innovation, and they highlight the launch of Deposely's free AI litigation tool aimed at making legal resources more accessible.

Feb 18, 2025 • 60min
02/14/25: LexisNexis parent co. invests in competitor Harvey, DOGE cybersecurity nightmare, & more
Nikki Black, a Principal Legal Insight Strategist at Affinipay, Joe Patrice, a seasoned legal journalist at Above the Law, and Steve Embry, a legal technology blogger, dive into the latest happenings in legal tech. They discuss a federal judge's ruling on ROSS’s copyright issues, the massive $300M funding for Harvey, and the AI misuse scandal of a top law firm. The conversation turns to a cybersecurity nightmare linked to DOGE, raising alarms for the DOJ. Tune in for insightful commentary on the intersection of innovation and ethics in the legal landscape!

Feb 13, 2025 • 58min
02/07/25: Women + AI summit, our experiments with OpenAI Deep Research, and more
In this engaging discussion, Stephanie Wilkins shares insights from the Women + AI Summit, emphasizing community empowerment in legal tech. Niki Black highlights the shifting landscape of access to justice amid funding freezes and crowdfunding initiatives. Joe Patrice cautions against neglecting citation checks when using AI tools like ChatGPT. Stephen Embry explores Microsoft and OpenAI's recent product rollouts, pondering their impact on court systems. Together, the panelists navigate the ethical implications and innovative potential of AI in law.

Feb 6, 2025 • 1h
01/31/25: DeepSeek, Relativity sunsets on-prem, AI and access to justice, and more
This week features Caroline Hill, Editor of Legal IT Insider; Stephanie Wilkins from Legal Tech Hub; Victor Li of the ABA Journal; and Niki Black, Principal Legal Insight Strategist. They delve into DeepSeek's rise in legal tech and the ethical implications of AI on privacy. The discussion also highlights Relativity's shift to the cloud, the Dakotas' innovative licensure pathways, and AI's transformative role in improving access to justice. Expect an engaging mix of insights and industry trends from these leading voices!

Jan 30, 2025 • 57min
01/24/2025: First law school to require AI education certification, a surge in contracting tech, and more
Greg Lambert, Chief Knowledge Services Officer at Jackson Walker and co-host of Geek and Review, joins forces with Victor Li, ABA Journal’s Assistant Managing Editor, and Stephen Embry, legal tech journalist. They discuss Case Western Reserve School of Law mandating AI certification for first-year students. The trio dives into the surge in contract technology and innovations in AI tools for personal injury law. The conversation rounds off with insights on privacy concerns in digital communications and the evolving interplay between legal tech and popular culture.

Jan 23, 2025 • 56min
01/17/2025: Tom Goldstein case, Harvey's mysterious $3B valuation, and more
Join Joe Patrice, a legal journalist and host of Thinking Like a Lawyer, Stephen Embry, a tech law writer and co-chair of the ABA 2025 Tech Show, and Niki Black, a legal tech columnist, as they dive into hot topics like the Tom Goldstein case involving serious allegations and ethical implications in legal technology. They also share insights from CES 2025, discuss AI layoffs in New York, and unpack Harvey's controversial $3 billion valuation, questioning its sustainability amidst fierce competition.

Jan 16, 2025 • 53min
01/10/2025: KPMG seeks alt. business license, AI fails in federal court complaint, and more
This week features Joe Patrice, a legal journalist at Above the Law, known for his sharp insights on legal tech; Nikki Black, a principal legal insight strategist at Affinapay, who contributes to industry publications; and Victor Li, assistant managing editor at the ABA Journal, famed for his commentary on legal trends. They tackle the failings of courtroom VR and KPMG's move towards alternative business licenses, discussing its impact on the legal landscape. They also deliberate on AI's role in legal document creation, highlighting both advancements and disappointing outcomes.

Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 2min
01/03/2025: Our biggest episode of the year: 2024 Recap and 2025 Predictions
Join Greg Lambert, an advocate for legal tech knowledge, Niki Black, a strategist for legal insights, and other industry experts as they reflect on the transformative year of 2024. They explore the significant trends in legal tech, including the rise of AI applications and startling funding rounds. The discussion reveals that client engagement has worsened, raising concerns for 2025. From a mix of humor to serious predictions, the panel highlights the evolving landscape of legal technology and the challenges ahead.

Dec 12, 2024 • 1h 1min
12/06/2024: Law school applications up 35% from 2023, Elon Musk tries legal tech, and more
Join Niki Black, a legal tech journalist; Joe Patrice, a legal journalist; Victor Li of the ABA Journal; and Stephen Embry, a tech law blogger, as they explore intriguing legal topics. They discuss the astonishing 35% surge in law school applications and the stress it poses on job markets. The panel critiques Elon Musk's AI ambitions in the judiciary, questioning the practicality of his vision. They also delve into tech's role in expanding access to justice, emphasizing the transformative potential of innovation amidst ongoing legal challenges.