AI and the Future of Law

Can lawyers really trust AI—and what does “trust” mean in modern legal practice?In this episode of AI and the Future of Law, hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack are joined by Gabe Pereyra, President and Co-Founder of Harvey AI, to explore how generative AI is moving from a productivity tool to core infrastructure for law firms.Gabe explains how leading firms are deploying AI at scale, why hallucinations are no longer the central concern, and how governance, auditability, and human-in-the-loop systems shape real trust in legal AI. The conversation also dives into the future of the billable hour, lawyer training, and why AI is best understood as leverage—not labor replacement.In this episode:When lawyers will trust AI systemsHuman-in-the-loop governance and supervisionAI as law firm infrastructure, not just softwareWhy the billable hour isn’t disappearingTraining lawyers faster in an AI-first era

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.

What will AI actually change in law by 2026—and how should firms, courts, and legal institutions prepare? In this season two finale of AI and the Future of Law, hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack step back from the hype cycle to offer grounded, practical predictions about the next few years.They explore Google’s Gemini 3 and the shift from chatbots to agentic systems, the “platformization” of legal services driven by MSOs, ALSPs, and private equity, and the new talent demands this creates inside law firms. Along the way, they introduce ideas like AI legal twins, AI co-mediators, and opt-in court pilots for low-stakes disputes—and ask what leaders across the justice system should be planning for now.Topics Covered:How Gemini 3 and agentic AI systems move beyond simple chatbotsWhy private equity, MSOs, and ALSPs may “platformize” legal servicesThe new talent equation: from 1Ls to AI leaders in the C-suiteProvocative ideas like AI legal twins and AI co-mediatorsHow courts might experiment with opt-in AI pilots for low-stakes cases

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

Is AI making legal writing too easy—and too cheap? In this episode, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack explore how generative AI tools are reshaping writing as a professional skill. They discuss the paper “Making Talk Cheap,” which argues that when anyone can generate polished text, writing loses its value as a signal of skill, effort, or merit. What does this mean for hiring, advancement, and lawyering in the AI era? Plus, they unpack a new Wharton study showing how enterprise AI use is soaring—with real ROI—while sharing personal stories of AI’s practical impact.Topics Covered:Wharton’s 2025 report on enterprise AI adoption and ROI (vs. the “failed pilots” narrative)How generative AI is leveling the playing field in writing qualityThe Making Talk Cheap study on devalued written work and hiring signalsImplications for legal hiring, promotion, and skill development in the AI era

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