Key Takeaways1. AI Is Different from Previous Legal Technology WavesUnlike e-discovery, which emerged to solve a clearly defined problem, generative AI arrived as a powerful solution before many organizations fully understood what problems it should solve.2. Law Firms Must Start with Business ProblemsOrganizations often say they "need AI" when what they actually need is to automate a process, improve decision-making, reduce costs, or address inefficiencies.3. Innovation Requires Executive Buy-InSuccessful technology adoption depends on visible support from firm leadership. Without top-level sponsorship, new initiatives often struggle against organizational resistance.4. Process Comes Before TechnologyYou cannot automate what you cannot define. Before deploying AI, firms should document workflows, identify bottlenecks, and understand how work gets done.5. Lawyers Are Trained as Risk ManagersLegal professionals may be slower adopters, but their focus on risk and defensibility provides a valuable lens for evaluating emerging technologies.6. AI Should Augment, Not Replace JudgmentCurrent AI tools are valuable for drafting, summarizing, organizing information, and identifying insights, but they still require human review and oversight.7. Invisible Technology Often WinsThe most successful legal technology solutions are often those that solve problems without forcing lawyers to become technologists.8. Governance Matters More Than EverAs AI becomes easier to access, issues such as data security, model risk, code provenance, and compliance become critical considerations.9. Law Firms Are Successful, Which Makes Change HardBecause many firms continue to perform exceptionally well financially, there is often limited urgency to fundamentally change traditional business models.10. Skepticism Is HealthyTom advocates experimenting with AI while maintaining a healthy filter for marketing claims, hype, and unrealistic expectations.Guest BioTom Barnett is a Senior Director at Maker5, a legal technology venture studio and advisory firm. With more than two decades of experience at the intersection of law, technology, data science, and innovation, Tom has built and led advanced analytics, e-discovery, and AI-focused teams at some of the nation's leading law firms, including Sullivan & Cromwell, Paul Hastings, and Jackson Lewis.At Paul Hastings, he founded and led a 20-person data science, analytics, and investigations team that was ultimately acquired by one of the world's largest private equity firms. Today, he advises organizations on AI strategy, legal technology innovation, risk management, governance, and the practical realities of technology adoption in legal services.Tom Barnett | LinkedIn Profile

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related