Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted

E23 - Investment Hype vs. Reality in Legal AI, Eli Amsellem, Ridge Ventures

In this episode, Zach Abramowitz is joined by Eli Amsellem, an investor at Ridge Ventures, to delve into the hot topic of investment in legal AI. They discuss the hype around billion-dollar valuations and the reality behind customer adoption and revenue sustainability. Eli shares insights from his hands-on approach, including talking to actual buyers and hosting GC therapy dinners. They debate the future of legal AI, whether horizontal AI assistants or vertical workflow automation will prevail, and examine companies like Harvey, Legora, New Code, OpenPolicy, and Legalmation. This episode offers a nuanced view on the challenges and opportunities in the legal AI space.
 
Discover:
Deep Dive into Legal AI Adoption 
The VC Perspective on Legal AI 
Challenges and Opportunities in Legal AI 
The Future of Legal AI and VC Investments 
Case Studies and Market Dynamics 
The Role of Innovation in Legal AI 
Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Events
References:Conversation with Paid CEO Manny Medina - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESa1TdS3dI4&t=318sLearn More:
Eli - https://ridge.vc/eliyahou-amsellem/
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
 
Follow Along:
Eli - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliyahou-amsellem-13aa2b164/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz, https://x.com/ZachAbramowitz, https://youtube.com/@legallydisrupted?si=MGT7nW96PdM4a2ZM
 

E22 - Is AI For Contract Review Exciting? Preston Clark and Electra Japonas from LawInsider and oneNDA

In this episode, Zach delves into the evolution and impact of AI on contract management with Preston Clark and Electra Japonas.
 
In this episode:
AI and Contracts: A Boring Use Case
The Adoption Curve of AI in Legal 
The Story of Law Insider 
The Birth of One NDA 
The Future of AI and Contracting 
Legacy Product Overview 
AI Capabilities and New SKU 
User Growth and Market Excitement 
Product Distribution and Democratization 
Customer Focus and Data Utilization 
CLM Market Insights and Future 
Learn More:
Electra - https://www.onenda.org/about
Preston - https://www.lawinsider.com/resources/contributors/preston-clark
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
 
Follow Along:
Electra - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/electra-japonas
Preston - https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonjclark
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E21 - ChatGPT vs. Legaltech -- Who Will Win? Lawyer & Technologist Carolyn Elefant

This episode of Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted features a conversation with lawyer and technologist Carolyn Elefant about whether legal specific tools and legacy software will be able to keep up with general applications like ChatGPT.
 
In this episode: 
The Rapid Evolution of AI in Law
The Future of AI in Legal Practice
Exploring AI Tools for Lawyers
Legal Research and AI Integration
The Impact of AI on Legal Research
The Future of Legaltech and AI
 
Learn More:
Carolyn - https://lawofficesofcarolynelefant.com/
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
 
Follow Along:
Carolyn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynelefant/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E20 - From Legacy ML To Generative AI: Serial Legaltech Entrepreneur Charlie Connor

In this episode, Zach and Charlie delve into the rapid advancements in AI, particularly in the legal tech sector. The discussion transitions to the increasing caliber of entrepreneurs in legal tech and the acceleration of innovation in the field. They reflect on the evolution of legal AI from 2015 to 2023, noting the shift from mere ideas to full-blown products. The conversation also explores the potential for AI to reshape traditional legal processes, improve efficiency, and alter the way legal professionals approach their work, concluding with an optimistic outlook on the future of legal tech.
 
In this episode:
The Rise of Legal Tech Entrepreneurs 
AI's Impact on Legal Tech 
Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption 
The Evolution of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM)
Applying Machine Learning in Legal Tech 
Generative AI vs. Automation 
AI as a Legal Assistant 
Training Lawyers with AI 
AI in eDiscovery 
The Future of Legal Tech
Learn More:
Charlie - https://gravitystack.com/
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
 
Follow Along:
Charlie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlieconnor
Gravity Stack -  https://www.linkedin.com/company/gravity-stack-law-llc
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E19 - Leya Just Rebranded As Legora: Chris Williams, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Community at Legora

In this episode, Zach speaks with Legora's head of strategic partnerships and community, Chris Williams, about the rebranding journey and the strategic role of Legora in the AI-driven legal tech landscape. The discussion covers the responsibilities of his role, the transition from selling no-code, low-code platforms to generative AI, and the significant shift in how AI is transforming legal practices. The episode also explores differences between Legora and other AI tools like Harvey, the challenges and opportunities in the market, and the future direction for legal professionals using AI. Tune in to learn about Legora's mission to build the world's first truly collaborative AI for lawyers, enhancing strategic business development while reducing non-billable work. 
 
Discover:
The Role and Responsibilities at Legora
Transition from Selling Traditional Tech to AI 
The Impact of Generative AI in Legal Tech
Rebranding from Leya to Legora 
Collaborative AI for Lawyers 
Adoption of AI in Law Firms and In-House Teams 
Comparing Legora and Harvey 
The Future of Legal Work with AI 
Connecting with Legora at Legal Week 
Career Opportunities at Legora
Learn More:
Chris - Legora.com
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
 
Follow Along:
Chris - linkedin.com/in/chriswiiiiams/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E18 - Why You Should Come to ILTA EVOLVE This April with Ogletree’s Josh Smith and Tanenbaum Keale’s Ken Jones

Zach, Ken and Josh talk about the upcoming three day conference in Myrtle Beach focusing on AI, Cybersecurity and Data Governance. Attendees will have opportunities to interact with cutting-edge AI companies and products.The event features specific presentations, including those by startup community members, covering practical AI applications in fields like legal finance, pricing, collections, and timekeeping.
Register - https://www.iltanet.org/live-events/evolve#speak
 
Follow Along:
Josh Smith https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuadsmithcissp/
Ken Jones https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethejones/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz
 
Learn More:
https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
 

E17 - How AI Has Tech Companies Pivoting with Eleanor Lightbody, CEO of Luminance

In this episode, Zach interviews Eleanor Lightbody, the CEO of Luminance, about her journey from working at Darktrace to leading Luminance, a legal tech company. Eleanor shares insights from her four years as CEO, highlighting the transformative impact of AI in the legal tech space. They discuss Luminance's growth strategy, the development of their contract lifecycle management tool, and the shift from M&A-specific uses to a broader, more inclusive approach. Eleanor also delves into how generative AI is changing user expectations and behaviors, and emphasizes the importance of balancing current customer needs with future innovations through a specialized 'blue sky thinking' team. Follow Luminance's developments on LinkedIn, their website, and at key industry conferences like Legal Week. 
Eleanor's Background
Journey at Darktrace 
Transition to Luminance 
Growth and Strategy at Luminance 
Evolution of Luminance's Focus 
Impact of Generative AI 
Future Vision and Blue Sky Thinking 
Learn More:
Eleanor - https://www.luminance.com/team.html
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
 
Follow Along:
Eleanor - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-lightbody-69a6b784/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E16 - How Biglaw Can and Should Partner with Early Stage Startups, with Ilona Logvinova and Evan Shenkman

In this engaging conversation, Ilona and Evan discuss their roles and experiences in leading innovation within their respective law firms, Cleary Gottlieb and Fisher Phillips. Ilona, the Director of Practice Innovation at Cleary, shares her journey from McKinsey to leading a transformation journey at Cleary. Evan, the Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer at Fisher Phillips, talks about his shift from labor and employment law into knowledge management and legal technology. The discussion covers their strategies for partnering with early-stage companies, the impact of generative AI on the legal industry, the importance of being thought leaders, and the challenges and opportunities of incorporating AI into legal practices. They also delve into the long-term benefits of working with startups, AI governance, and the future trajectory of AI in redefining the value proposition of the legal profession. 
 
Topics discussed:
IIona's Journey and Role at Cleary
Evan's Career Path and Role at Fisher Phillips 
The Impact of Generative AI on Legal Tech 
Pre-Generative AI Adoption Strategies 
Evaluating Startups and Early Partnerships 
Risk Management and AI Governance 
Learn More:
Ilona - https://www.pli.edu/faculty/ilona-logvinova-i2002979
Evan - https://www.fisherphillips.com/en/people/evan-shenkman.html
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
 
Follow Along:
Ilona - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilonalogvinova
Evan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-shenkman-5445123
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E15 - Could “AI For Lawyers” Catch on Faster with In-House Attorneys? Katya Fisher, CEO and Founder of Aracor

Katya Fisher introduces her journey from a practicing attorney to a tech entrepreneur. She shares her experience of building a successful law practice during the Great Recession and how she acquired a unique set of legal skills. Katya talks about the inefficiencies in the legal world that led her to build Aracor.ai, a legal tech product tailored for in-house counsel of investment firms such as venture capital funds, private equity groups, and family offices.
 
Learn More:
Aracor - https://www.aracor.ai/
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
 
Follow Along:
Katya - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyafisher/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz
 

E14 - Are the Lines Blurring Between DMS and AI? NetDocuments CPO Dan Hauck

In this episode recorded at the NetDocuments Inspire EMEA conference in London, Dan Hauck outlines the strides made in integrating AI into legal document management. The discussion begins with a reflection on a previous webinar and the decision to avoid common, simplistic AI solutions like chatbots, instead focusing on using LLMs for intelligent document tagging. The development and features of NetDocuments' AI suite, ndMax, are detailed, emphasizing automated processes like semantic search, document metadata enrichment, and contract summarization. The conversation also touches on the importance of embedding AI seamlessly into existing workflows to enhance the work experience for attorneys, improve client service, and retain top talent. Additionally, they explore future enhancements, the integration of custom legal applications, and the overarching strategy of simplifying AI use within the platform. 
 
AI in Legal: A Thoughtful Approach
Developing ndMax: Tackling Legal Challenges with AI 
The Shift to Semantic Search 
Building Legal Apps with ndMax
AI Integration and Lawyer Experience 
Simply Intelligent: The New Messaging
 
Learn More:
Dan - NetDocuments.com
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
 
Follow Along:
Dan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danhauck
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz