AI and the Future of Law

AI recording tools can make lawyers more efficient—but what are the risks to confidentiality?In this episode, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack examine how AI recording tools intersect with attorney–client privilege, professional responsibility rules, and the evolving skill demands of an AI-driven workforce.Topics discussed include:How AI recording platforms may introduce third-party privilege risksState consent laws and the ethical limits of secret recordingNew York Bar Formal Opinion 2025-6 and deceptive practicesWhether recording changes how clients communicate with their lawyersThe risk of AI-generated summaries misinterpreting legal nuanceA risk-based framework for deciding when (and when not) to recordNew Wharton–Accenture research on how AI is reshaping job skills and compensationAI tools can improve legal work—but only when lawyers understand the boundaries that protect trust, competence, and confidentiality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the legal profession enters 2026, the conversation about AI is shifting. It is no longer about awareness or early adoption. It is about measurable impact.In this episode of AI and the Future of Law, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack are joined by Zach Abramowitz for a legal market check-in on AI agents, ROI, competitive pressure, and the widening divide between AI superusers and skeptics.They discuss:The shift from AI assistants to AI agentsWhy 2026 is about measuring ROI, not experimentationThe rise of AI-first firms and competitive pressure on traditional modelsVenture capital, private equity, and renewed conversations about external ownershipThe growing mindset divide within the professionAI is no longer a side experiment in legal. It is becoming embedded in strategy, pricing, and firm structure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when lawyers stop waiting for permission and start building with AI? Jen and Bridget explore the rise of creative associates and what tools like Claude Code reveal about the future of legal work. From agentic AI systems that refactor how coding gets done to junior lawyers who “vibe-code” solutions to everyday firm problems, this conversation looks at how innovation is increasingly bottom-up in law firms.Topics covered include:Claude Code and agentic AI for knowledge workWhy creative associates are driving real changeVibe coding and lowering the barrier to innovationCultural shifts law firms need to support experimentationWhat this means for junior lawyers and legal training Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can lawyers really trust AI—and what does “trust” mean in modern legal practice?In this episode of AI and the Future of Law, hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack are joined by Gabe Pereyra, President and Co-Founder of Harvey AI, to explore how generative AI is moving from a productivity tool to core infrastructure for law firms.Gabe explains how leading firms are deploying AI at scale, why hallucinations are no longer the central concern, and how governance, auditability, and human-in-the-loop systems shape real trust in legal AI. The conversation also dives into the future of the billable hour, lawyer training, and why AI is best understood as leverage—not labor replacement.In this episode:When lawyers will trust AI systemsHuman-in-the-loop governance and supervisionAI as law firm infrastructure, not just softwareWhy the billable hour isn’t disappearingTraining lawyers faster in an AI-first era Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Private equity interest in U.S. law firms is accelerating, and AI is a major reason why. In this Season 3 kickoff, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack explore how ethics rules collide with the capital demands of AI, and why the real story isn’t short-term profits but long-term investment in legal infrastructure. They unpack Rule 5.4, the rise of the MSO model as a workaround for outside investment, and what “ownership” really means when control over data, technology, and professional judgment is at stake.The conversation also examines emerging judicial approaches to AI disclosure and what they signal for competence, evidence, and governance as AI becomes foundational to legal practice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What will AI actually change in law by 2026—and how should firms, courts, and legal institutions prepare? In this season two finale of AI and the Future of Law, hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack step back from the hype cycle to offer grounded, practical predictions about the next few years.They explore Google’s Gemini 3 and the shift from chatbots to agentic systems, the “platformization” of legal services driven by MSOs, ALSPs, and private equity, and the new talent demands this creates inside law firms. Along the way, they introduce ideas like AI legal twins, AI co-mediators, and opt-in court pilots for low-stakes disputes—and ask what leaders across the justice system should be planning for now.Topics Covered:How Gemini 3 and agentic AI systems move beyond simple chatbotsWhy private equity, MSOs, and ALSPs may “platformize” legal servicesThe new talent equation: from 1Ls to AI leaders in the C-suiteProvocative ideas like AI legal twins and AI co-mediatorsHow courts might experiment with opt-in AI pilots for low-stakes cases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can AI expand access to justice for the millions who can’t afford a lawyer? In this episode, hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack speak with Sateesh Nori and Tom Martin about AI tools reshaping legal help, including Depositron for security deposit disputes and Law Answers AI for jurisdiction-specific guidance.They discuss Sateesh’s journey from housing court to AI innovation, Tom’s work building scalable solutions for the public, and the profession’s ongoing debate over “second-tier justice.” What emerges is a compelling vision for AI as a bridge—not a barrier—to legal help.Topics: • How AI is transforming access to justice • Why the legal system leaves most people without help • The creation of Depositron and LawAnswers AI • “Second-tier justice” vs. real-world legal outcomes • Moonshot visions for AI-enabled legal service delivery Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is AI making legal writing too easy—and too cheap? In this episode, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack explore how generative AI tools are reshaping writing as a professional skill. They discuss the paper “Making Talk Cheap,” which argues that when anyone can generate polished text, writing loses its value as a signal of skill, effort, or merit. What does this mean for hiring, advancement, and lawyering in the AI era? Plus, they unpack a new Wharton study showing how enterprise AI use is soaring—with real ROI—while sharing personal stories of AI’s practical impact.Topics Covered:Wharton’s 2025 report on enterprise AI adoption and ROI (vs. the “failed pilots” narrative)How generative AI is leveling the playing field in writing qualityThe Making Talk Cheap study on devalued written work and hiring signalsImplications for legal hiring, promotion, and skill development in the AI era Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can AI make the nation’s largest trial court more accessible, trusted, and just? In this episode, LA Superior Court CEO, David Slayton joins hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget Mary McCormack to unpack how generative AI is already reshaping court services—and why “effective” beats “efficient.” We explore Court Help on LACourt.gov, change-management tactics that stick, and the delicate balance between moving too slowly (and getting overwhelmed) and too fast (and losing public trust). Practical, candid, and grounded in real operations, this conversation offers a roadmap for legal leaders navigating AI.Topics covered:Court Help and responsible gen-AI designServing self-represented litigants at scaleChange management in high-trust institutionsRisks of moving too slow—or too fast—on AIPredictive analytics, triage, and future workflows Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can an AI fairly decide a dispute—and win party trust? Recorded live at MAICON 2025, this episode dives into the American Arbitration Association’s first AI arbitrator, a documents-only two-party workflow designed for construction cases with a human in the loop. AAA President Bridget McCormack explains the multi-agent architecture, why procedural fairness matters, and how the tool reflects a century of arbitration expertise. We also unpack OpenAI’s Sora 2 rollout, likeness/IP controversies, and the shift from opt-out to permission-first models—and what deepfakes mean for courts and the rule of law.Topics covered:How AAA’s AI arbitrator works (and when to use it)Human oversight, speed, and cost gainsSora 2’s IP backlash and policy reversalDeepfakes, watermarking limits, and courtroom risk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How should law schools teach judgment, writing, and readiness in the age of AI? Georgetown’s Jonah Perlin and Suffolk’s Dyane O’Leary join hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack to explore how generative AI is reshaping legal education—from 1L writing and grading to ethics, policy, and professional judgment.They share real classroom experiments that reveal how professors are using AI to teach reasoning and curiosity, and how schools are balancing innovation with integrity through redesigned assessments and “AI literacy” curricula. The conversation also dives into multimodal and voice-based tools transforming how students learn, communicate, and prepare for modern practice.Topics covered:How AI is transforming legal writing and pedagogyGrading, integrity, and fairness in the AI eraWhat “practice-ready” means for future lawyersThe rise of multimodal and voice-driven learningBuilding judgment and curiosity through AI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can state‑court judges safely use generative AI? In this episode, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack unpack Pennsylvania’s interim policy for courts—what it allows, what it restricts, and how human review and confidentiality guardrails work in practice. They compare real AI workflows from their own desks—editing a book with Claude and turning a long essay into slides—and dissect the “AI pilots are failing” storyline versus the reality of high adoption and slower ROI. You’ll also hear why court labs, enterprise access, and judge‑focused guidelines matter now.We cover:Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s interim AI policy and guardrailsAI Aha!: Claude as editor; ChatGPT vs. Claude vs. Gemini for slidesMIT “AI pilots” narrative vs. actual adoption and ROI timelinesCourt “AI labs,” enterprise licenses, and chatbots for self‑represented litigantsMichigan pilot with Learned Hand and practical guidance for judgesEpisode Highlights:02:56 AI Aha! Moments10:10 What Just Happened: MIT Report21:55 Main Topic: PA Supreme Court’s Interim AI policy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to modernize a 100-year-old legal institution and prepare lawyers for the AI era? In this episode, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack sit down with Jae Um (Lumio) and Ilona Logvinova (Cleary Gottlieb) to explore how legal organizations move from AI experiments to real impact. From acquisitions and change management to digital agents and legal education reform, this conversation breaks down what actually drives innovation in law.We cover:Practical AI workflows and tools in legal practiceCulture, incentives, and strategy in firm innovationInorganic vs. organic growth (acquisitions and beyond)Digital agents and the future of early-career legal workHow law schools must evolve for AI-native practiceEpisode Highlights:02:15 AI Aha! Moments10:39 Inorganic Growth & Innovation Strategy32:50 Law Schools & Learning in the AI Era Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is GPT-5 good enough to practice law? This episode dives into OpenAI’s newest model and its implications for legal practice, including how it compares to previous models and where human oversight remains essential. Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack also unpack a groundbreaking report from IAALS on regulating AI in legal services, shifting the focus from lawyers to consumers.Episode Highlights:(2:22) AI Aha! Moments: AI and human error in court(12:52) What Just Happened: Key features and legal benchmarks of GPT-5(20:50) IAALS phased approach to AI oversight(28:13) How courts and communities are adapting to AI toolsRead the IAALS report on regulating AI in law here: https://iaals.du.edu/sites/default/files/documents/publications/ulr_regulating_ai.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a litigator and a quantum physicist build a law firm from the ground up with AI at its core? In this episode, hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack speak with Phillip Young and Daniel Long of Garfield Law, the UK’s first fully AI-native, regulator-approved law firm. They share how Garfield streamlines small debt claims, navigated unprecedented regulatory scrutiny, and solved AI hallucination risks with a hybrid expert system. Along the way, they explore what AI integration could mean for lawyers, courts, and access to justice worldwide.Episode Highlights:(2:38) AI Aha! Moments: Using Claude as a Lifestyle Assistant(5:01) Origin of Garfield Law(13:00) Regulation, Ethics, and Tech Safeguards(26:07) The Future of LawTopics include:-Building the Garfield AI platform-Winning regulatory approval in the UK-Tackling hallucination in legal AI-Future of API-integrated courts-Implications for legal training and the profession Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could AI make you a better advocate than a lawyer? In this episode, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack explore real-world stories of self-represented litigants using AI tools to win cases, plus a bold proposal to allow “robot lawyers” in appellate arguments. From century rides powered by ChatGPT to experiments in legal education innovation, this conversation tackles the evolving role of AI in justice.Episode Highlights(3:02) AI Aha! Moments: Fitness and food ordering hacks(7:41) ChatGPT Agents explained(19:37) Self-represented litigant wins appeal with AI(22:17) Adam Unikowski's jaw-dropping experimentTopics covered:– A self-represented litigant’s AI-assisted appellate victory– Adam Unikowsky’s robot lawyer experiment at SCOTUS– ChatGPT Agents and task-based automation– AI for legal research, CLE, and gamification– Why courts should pilot AI-supported oral arguments Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a top litigation firm lets lawyers truly experiment with AI?In this episode, Jen and Bridget sit down with Jen Reeves and Chris Kercher of Quinn Emanuel to explore how one of the world’s top law firms is embracing AI from the inside out. From launching a grassroots Skunk Works group to using Claude and ChatGPT in high-stakes litigation, they share how culture, leadership, and curiosity are driving real results. Perfect for lawyers, tech leaders, and anyone wondering how AI is actually being used in practice today.Episode Highlights(2:17) AI Aha! Moments: ChatGPT Planned the Roadtrip and Made the Punchlist.(5:13) How Quinn Emanuel Built an AI Culture That Stuck(15:40) The Mindset Shift That Unlocks AI Use(23:54) AI for Small Firms: Where to Start and What to SkipTopics include:– Building an AI culture without mandates– Using Claude to manage real litigation workflows– Why context beats prompts– Advice for small firms and solos– How AI is making law more fun (and faster) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the apprenticeship model breaks?In this episode, Jen and Bridget explore how AI is reshaping legal education and associate training, from the classroom to the law firm. Sparked by a conversation by Wharton professor Ethan Mollick, the hosts ask: If the old model of learning-by-osmosis no longer works, what comes next? Episode Highlights(3:07) Bridget’s latest AI Aha!: Prototyping a GPT to simulate arbitration coaching scenarios(5:18) Jen’s latest AI Aha!: Using ChatGPT’s deep research mode to enhance citation checking and targeted teaching(7:40) Ethan Mollick’s provocative claim: “The apprenticeship model broke this summer” and what it means for legal training(19:41) Harvey AI partners with LexisNexis and iManage. Is this the tipping point for generative AI in law?Key Questions We Explore:How can AI help rebuild legal training systems from the ground up?What role might custom GPTs play in associate development and coaching?How do we ensure AI-driven tools support access to justice, not just Big Law?Keywords: legal education, associate training, apprenticeship, GPTs, coaching, arbitration, Harvey AI, LexisNexis, iManage, legal workflows, custom GPTs, legal AI, access to justice, Ethan Mollick, pro bono innovationThis podcast is presented by the American Arbitration Association with Creative Lawyers, and distributed by the Practising Law Institute - bridging world-class legal education with the global leader in dispute resolution. Produced by Aaron Tran.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 27, hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack kick off a new chapter with a fresh name — AI and the Future of Law — and a new presenting partnership with the Practising Law Institute (PLI), in collaboration with the American Arbitration Association. The rebrand reflects their evolving mission while keeping the heart of the podcast intact: accessible, thought-provoking insights on how AI is reshaping the legal profession.Listeners can expect the same candid co-host dialogue, plus a broader range of formats, including expert interviews. In this bite-sized bonus episode, Jen and Bridget celebrate the new launch and share personal “AI Aha!” moments — from ChatGPT-powered tick identification in Michigan to motivational coaching for long-distance runs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean when AI outperforms law students? In this episode, Jen and Bridget explore a groundbreaking study showing that OpenAI’s latest model, O3, earned A+ grades on actual law school finals — outperforming top students in multiple subjects. But that’s just one part of the story.Episode Highlights(3:02) Bridget’s latest “AI Aha!” — using ChatGPT to design and facilitate a 300-person workshop in under 60 minutes(7:13) Jen’s latest “AI Aha!” — leveraging Deep Research to uncover funding leads and pitch differentiators for a nonprofit project(11:53) Meta’s $14.8 billion investment in Scale AI and the race for superintelligence(18:22) OpenAI’s new integrations with Gmail, Slack, and Asana — and what that means for legal workflows and privacy(23:02) A new study shows ChatGPT earning A+ grades on law school finals — prompting urgent questions about legal education, assessment, and what skills truly matterKey Questions We Explore:- Are traditional law exams still relevant?- How should law schools and employers adapt?- What new skills matter most in an AI-enabled legal future?#ChatGPT #LegalTech #FutureOfLaw #AIinEducation #OpenAI #MetaAI #LegalInnovation #2030VisionPodcastAI and the Future of Law is your essential podcast for understanding how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the legal industry. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, each episode delves into cutting-edge technologies, trends, and strategies, providing invaluable insights for legal professionals, tech enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the future of law. Join us as we navigate the evolving landscape of AI, empowering the legal community to thrive in an era of unprecedented innovation.Produced by Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.