What lawyers really want from AI: ex-Freshfields lawyer turned legal tech leader on what we’re getting wrong

Today, we speak with Jack Shepherd. Jack started out as a restructuring lawyer at Freshfields before moving into legal tech via the firm’s in-house innovation team. He now works at iManage - the US-based legal tech company behind the document management system used by most major law firms.Jack is a well-known voice in the legal tech space and a regular speaker at industry conferences. He often takes a refreshingly contrarian view on AI - not for the sake of it, but because, having been a practising lawyer, he actually understands how lawyers work day-to-day.In this conversation, Jack shares insights on the evolving landscape of legal AI and technology. He discusses his transition from practising law to working in legal tech, emphasising the importance of understanding the pain points of lawyers and how technology can address these issues. Jack critiques the current hype around AI, advocating for a more practical approach that focuses on enhancing the legal profession rather than replacing it. He also highlights the significance of project management skills in law, the ROI of legal AI tools and offers advice for lawyers looking to transition into legal tech. The discussion ends with thoughts on future-proofing legal careers and the traits of successful junior lawyers.Chapters00:50 From Lawyer to Legal Tech 03:33 Understanding Legal AI: Current Landscape06:20 The Role of AI in Legal Work09:25 AI's Impact on Junior Lawyers12:19 Identifying Pain Points in Legal Practice15:25 The Future of Law Firms and SaaS18:40 iManage: Revolutionising Document Management27:46 Cultural Challenges in Legal Tech Adoption28:27 Understanding ROI in Legal AI Tools31:18 Strategic Technology Procurement in Law Firms34:41 The Role of AI in Law Firm Marketing36:38 Innovative Legal AI Tools to Watch40:19 Future-Proofing Legal Careers40:43 Advice for Lawyers Transitioning to Legal Tech44:08 Traits of Successful Lawyers49:25 Recommended Reads for Legal ProfessionalsAbout Non-BillableNon-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/