Hackathon solutions showcase diverse approaches to improving the business of law
A look at the legal tech tools that could change processes we take for granted
Large legal research firms long ago began developing data analytics tools that assist lawyers in their work by streamlining the discovery process, contract negotiation and drafting, litigation procedures, regulatory compliance, legislative tracking and other routine legal tasks. More recently, legal tech entrepreneurs are designing artificial intelligence (AI) tools that assist the business of conducting a law practice whether in a large firm or a boutique operation.
Some of these methods that have been developed as part of the Global Legal Hackathon could have a major impact on how lawyers and firms conduct business. On the eve of the GLH finals, let’s take a look at the diverse approaches out of the many that could improve the processes often taken for granted in the legal industry.
Regall LT of Singapore is a platform that provides AI support to businesses and law firms to make it easier to navigate multiple complex, lengthy documents. This AI tool automatically scans and tags documents and maps inter-document references. It performs basic, routine administrative tasks like file maintenance automatically and cost effectively. This streamlines the workflow in law offices and allows law clerks and lawyers more time for drafting arguments, strategizing and interacting with current and prospective clients.
HelpSelf Legal is a website offering a document automation bot that creates filings for state and local government agencies, courts and employers from information that users have fed into the system. The document bot limits the amount of time spent transcribing the same information into online forms. It also democratizes access to legal services. Used as part of a solution that’s in the running to win the first Global Legal Hackathon, the HelpSelf bot can produce requests for restraining orders against domestic abusers, defenses against debt collectors, and petitions for expunging marijuana convictions (in California).
Generally, the most obvious assignments for document bots include routine registrations, court petitions and regulatory compliance, but the same technology eventually could be used for more complex document preparation such as contracts. With such a tool, law firms and other businesses could even streamline their client intake process by using standardized interviews via document automation bots and get a head start on creating relevant documents, thereby minimizing manual effort and time in this area, which can then be focused elsewhere.
BakerHostetler web developer Mark Brueing, along with Kevin Burwell and other law students from the University of Akron in Ohio are working on smart contracts that will help trade lawyers streamline international supply chains and cross border transactions. This team is a finalist in the Global Legal Hackathon competition culminating in NYC on April 21. They designed an interactive tool called INCOtelligent, a legal tech solution that makes it easier to identify and implement essential contractual provisions and limit excess verbiage using smart contracts. When contracts are standardized and executed properly and accurately, a client’s business expenses can be accurately predicted. What’s more, legal disputes can be avoided and trade lawyers can bring costs for their legal services under control.
Another smart use of smart contracts came out of a hackathon solution in San Francisco. Spicekit makes streamlining the collection of evidence in class action suits simpler by allowing users to directly upload evidence to the platform. This could shave off a significant amount of time and resources that the representing attorneys could instead allocate towards building a better case. Read more about Spicekit here.
While improvements to the business of law may not be obvious with GLH solution Juridico, community platforms like this one could be a great marketing tool for both solo lawyers and small law firms to bring in new business. This type of platform could also aid in client development and research, as lawyers and firms could engage more meaningfully with the people they are enlisted to serve.
Similarly, based in Lagos, Nigeria, LemonAid is a platform that also offers lawyers the potential to connect with paid clients, in addition to helping individuals find pro bono attorneys. The platform also connects attorneys with third parties that could help provide information and resources required in a case. Read more about LemonAid here.
As law firms come under competitive pressure to eliminate retainers and high hourly fees and overhead expenses, there are real incentives to streamline internal business operations and make workflows more efficient. When a law practice is run more like a successful business, lawyers engage in creative marketing, cost controls, and quality client contact. Innovative legal tech solutions deliver new ways of accomplishing those critical components of legal representation, which also leaves room for experimentation, perhaps even in the form of rapid development of solutions — like the ones we’ve seen at the Global Legal Hackathon.
To learn more about the Global Legal Hackathon, visit globallegalhackathon.com.
