After a two month unplanned hiatus, in this episode, Damien and Horace wrap up 2025 discussing the latest trends in legal tech and AI.

From encoding morality to vibe coding by legal professionals, we cover recent developments that we should be watching. Along the way, we tackle the transformation in law firms towards AI adoption and debate the future of legal services in the context of accessible and open data.

00:00 AI and Human Values at the Vatican
01:32 Building a Moral Knowledge Graph
03:02 Recent Developments in Legal Tech
05:22 Joining Clio and Industry Insights
06:51 AI Strategy and Law Firm Transformation
20:42 Trust, Intuition, and Integrity in Legal Practice
27:41 The Ethical Dilemma of Paywalls
34:08 The Future of Open Source and Open Access
41:29 The Philosophical Debate on Open Source and AI

In this episode of 'Further Comments', hosts Damien Riehl and Horace Wu chat with legal tech industry veteran Ken Crutchfield about navigating the future. The discussion revolves around the potential 'bubble' in legal technology and the impact of generative AI on the legal industry. The trio explores whether current trends mirror previous economic bubbles, the nuances of legal tech adoption amidst such uncertainties, and the future of AI in reshaping legal services. They delve into topics ranging from the trust factor in legal services to the implications of AI on legal practices, providing insights for both tech enthusiasts and legal professionals.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on navigating the evolving landscape of legal tech.

00:00 Introducing Ken Crutchfield
00:51 Discussion on Market Bubble
01:27 Historical Parallels and AI Growth
03:18 Legal Tech and AI Integration
05:20 Economic Bubbles and Legal Tech Market
08:12 Big Tech's Role in Legal Tech
15:16 Geopolitical and the Macro Backdrop
24:29 The Importance of Data and Relationships in AI
27:31 Trust, Integrity, and Intuition
31:16 Economic Indicators and Legal Tech Adaptation
34:57 Productization and Incentive-Aligned Fees in Law Firms
40:48 Adoption and Transformation Tips

Join hosts Damien Riehl and Horace Wu on this episode of Further Comments as they welcome special guest Ted Theodoropoulos to discuss the recently concluded ILTACON 2025.

The trio delve into a variety of thought-provoking topics including the growing influence of large language models and AI on the legal industry, the prospect of non-lawyer ownership in law firms through alternative business structures (ABS), and the importance of interoperability in legal tech solutions. They also explore the potential future scenarios for law firms, including challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements. Whether you're a skeptic or an enthusiast about the AI hype, this is an episode filled with insights and reflections you won't want to miss.

00:00 ILTACON Reflections and AI Hype

03:39 Venture Capital and AI in Law

07:25 Interoperability and Legal Standards

10:48 Data Management in Law Firms

14:06 Innovation and the Role of Lawyers

22:41 Empathy and User Experience

24:12 Challenges in AI Adoption

27:57 The Importance of Problem-Solving in Solutions

28:54 The Flawed Partnership Model in Law Firms

30:39 The Rise of Alternative Business Structures (ABS)

35:01 The Role of AI in Modern Law Firms

36:22 Challenges in Adopting New Technologies

39:50 The Future of Law Firms and AI Integration

49:30 Optimism for the Future of Legal Services