Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Big Law Leverages Buyers Position to Influence AI Development to Suit Their Needs

By Justin Henry
June 01, 2024

Based on all the recent hires of data scientists and machine learning engineers in Big Law in the last month, you might think the largest law firms fancy themselves software engineers, but you'd only be half right. In the AI edition of the classic "build versus buy" dilemma, some marquee firms have opted to leverage their position as the largest buyers of legal tech to influence vendor development of AI-powered services to suit their needs.

To bridge the language barrier between lawyers and technologists, global firms have spent the first half of the year stocking up on data scientists and machine learning engineers, often with legal backgrounds. In May alone, Latham & Watkins, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, DLA Piper and Reed Smith have hired technology specialists to newly created roles. Meanwhile, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is looking to hire directors of AI and of innovation amid a partnership with Thomson Reuters.

Big Law's AI-centric hiring rush comes as many firm leaders say the vendor market has fallen short of their firms' needs while conceding they are in no position to lead the way in the development of AI-powered legal tools.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
How Secure Is the AI System Your Law Firm Is Using? Image

What Law Firms Need to Know Before Trusting AI Systems with Confidential Information In a profession where confidentiality is paramount, failing to address AI security concerns could have disastrous consequences. It is vital that law firms and those in related industries ask the right questions about AI security to protect their clients and their reputation.

COVID-19 and Lease Negotiations: Early Termination Provisions Image

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some tenants were able to negotiate termination agreements with their landlords. But even though a landlord may agree to terminate a lease to regain control of a defaulting tenant's space without costly and lengthy litigation, typically a defaulting tenant that otherwise has no contractual right to terminate its lease will be in a much weaker bargaining position with respect to the conditions for termination.

Pleading Importation: ITC Decisions Highlight Need for Adequate Evidentiary Support Image

The International Trade Commission is empowered to block the importation into the United States of products that infringe U.S. intellectual property rights, In the past, the ITC generally instituted investigations without questioning the importation allegations in the complaint, however in several recent cases, the ITC declined to institute an investigation as to certain proposed respondents due to inadequate pleading of importation.

Authentic Communications Today Increase Success for Value-Driven Clients Image

As the relationship between in-house and outside counsel continues to evolve, lawyers must continue to foster a client-first mindset, offer business-focused solutions, and embrace technology that helps deliver work faster and more efficiently.

The Power of Your Inner Circle: Turning Friends and Social Contacts Into Business Allies Image

Practical strategies to explore doing business with friends and social contacts in a way that respects relationships and maximizes opportunities.