AI and the Future of Law

AI agents are moving beyond answering questions to taking action. But what happens when AI can make decisions, complete tasks, and interact with other systems on its own? And what does that mean for lawyers?In this episode of AI and the Future of Law, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack explore the rise of agentic AI and its implications for legal practice. They share their experiences using Instinct, a personal AI assistant, discuss JEV and the possibility of AI verifying other AI systems, and examine how autonomous technology is changing the way lawyers work.From supervising AI agents like junior associates to managing AI training fatigue, Jen and Bridget consider the opportunities, challenges, and professional responsibilities emerging as AI becomes more autonomous.Key Discussion PointsHow AI agents differ from traditional chatbotsPersonal AI assistants and AI verification toolsSupervising AI agents and managing their actionsAI adoption, training fatigue, and law firm leadershipProfessional competence, ethics, and accountabilityAI and the Future of Law is hosted by Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack. A Creative Lawyers Podcast, sponsored by Clio.https://www.aiandthefutureoflaw.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 3 of AI and the Future of Law explored a legal profession moving quickly from AI experimentation to real transformation.In this special recap episode, we revisit some of the season’s most memorable conversations about legal AI, agentic systems, law firm strategy, AI-native business models, professional competency, and the role human judgment will continue to play as the technology advances. Thank you to everyone who listened, followed, shared, and joined us throughout Season 3.AI and the Future of Law will return in October with Season 4 and more conversations about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal profession and the world around it.Subscribe on YouTube, follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, and leave a review if the conversations have been helpful to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial intelligence is beginning to test the boundaries of legal practice itself.In this episode, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack examine Nippon Life v. OpenAI, a lawsuit alleging that a chatbot engaged in the unauthorized practice of law by generating legal advice, drafting filings, and influencing litigation strategy. The case raises foundational questions about liability, regulation, and whether existing legal frameworks can meaningfully apply to AI systems.They also explore practical AI use cases and key takeaways from Legalweek 2026, including rising pressure to demonstrate ROI, rapid enterprise adoption, and the shift toward more advanced systems.Topics discussed include:The facts and legal theories in Nippon Life v. OpenAIUnauthorized practice of law vs. product liability frameworksThe limits of regulating AI through court decisionsLegalweek 2026: ROI pressure and adoption trendsPractical AI workflows using Claude Co-Work Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.