The legal profession is at a critical inflection point. The forces of technology, particularly AI, are fundamentally reshaping how law is practiced and experienced. I had the privilege of sitting down with Jack Newton, Founder and CEO of Clio, at the Innovate Legal Summit 2024 in London for a special recording of the Legally Speaking Podcast. Our discussion illuminated the role AI is playing in transforming the legal profession—and why it’s crucial for firms of all sizes to embrace this shift.
Jack’s powerful statement set the tone for what may become a defining principle for the next decade: “AI won’t replace lawyers—but lawyers who use AI will replace those who don’t.” This message resonated throughout the summit, capturing the urgency and potential of integrating AI into legal practice. For law firms that want to stay competitive, this isn’t a matter of convenience—it’s a matter of survival.
The AI Revolution in Legal Practice
The summit, held at the stunning Canada House, was the perfect venue to explore the future of legal technology. Jack’s keynote presentation made it clear: AI is a force multiplier for legal work, allowing legal professionals to automate repetitive tasks, analyse vast amounts of data, and enhance client experiences. But even more importantly, AI is breaking down barriers to access justice, making legal services more affordable and scalable for firms and clients alike.
In recent years, technologists have been convincing the legal community to adopt cloud-based solutions. Today, that conversation has flipped. Lawyers themselves are now driving demand for AI tools, recognising that the technology is not just an option but a necessity for delivering high-quality legal services in the 21st century.
Clio's Vision for AI and Legal Transformation
Under Jack’s visionary leadership, Clio is leading this legal tech revolution. Their record-breaking $900 million Series F funding will enable Clio to further develop its AI capabilities and make these tools more accessible to small and mid-sized law firms. These practices, often underserved by tech innovation, stand to benefit significantly from AI-driven solutions that help them compete on a level playing field with larger firms.
The future of legal tech doesn’t just lie in developing smarter tools—it lies in developing ethical tools. During our conversation on the Legally Speaking Podcast (listen here), Jack emphasised the importance of ethical AI development, particularly in a profession where trust, privacy, and confidentiality are paramount. Clio’s commitment to building AI tools that are both powerful and ethical is shaping the future of legal tech and helping the profession navigate this critical digital transformation.
Piers Linney on AI: A "Once-in-a-Species Opportunity"
Another keynote speaker who left an indelible mark on the summit was Piers Linney, former Dragon’s Den (Shark Tank) investor and Co-Founder of Implement AI. Piers captured the audience’s imagination with his description of AI as a “once-in-a-species opportunity.” His insights on the transformative power of AI across industries, particularly law, challenged every attendee to think about the next steps in their own AI journey.
Piers' deep expertise, stemming from his entrepreneurial ventures in AI, technology, and media, added a unique perspective. His company, Implement AI, focuses on leveraging AI to drive intelligent business transformation. His message aligned perfectly with Jack Newton’s vision—those who strategically implement AI today will be the leaders of tomorrow.
Piers also emphasised that AI has the potential to democratise legal services, giving smaller firms access to tools that can level the playing field with larger practices, a point that particularly resonated with the audience.
Democratising Legal Services and Access to Justice
One of the most exciting aspects of the legal tech revolution is how AI is enabling greater access to justice. Smaller firms can now compete with larger, more established firms by using AI to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and offer more efficient services to clients. The scalability of AI allows firms to provide legal support that is faster, more personalised, and more affordable, making legal services more accessible to all.
This theme of democratisation aligns with my work as an advisor to Caseguru, a cutting-edge AI-driven platform that simplifies the process of finding and collaborating with the right lawyer. Caseguru uses AI to craft precise case summaries, match clients with suitable legal professionals, and manage cases through an integrated platform. This is just one example of how AI is reshaping the legal profession—making legal expertise more accessible, while helping lawyers focus on providing strategic counsel and delivering justice.
The Role of the Legally Speaking Podcast in Leading Legal Innovation
As host of the Legally Speaking Podcast, I am committed to facilitating these important conversations and sharing insights from the most innovative voices in the legal world. Our mission is to become the number one legal careers show globally, helping legal professionals at every stage of their journey—whether they’re aspiring lawyers, seasoned professionals, or curious about the future of law. We aim to inspire, educate, and entertain, aligning with Clio’s mission to transform the legal experience for all.
On the Legally Speaking Podcast (listen here), we delve deep into the role that AI, cloud technology, and other emerging tools are playing in transforming legal practice. The podcast provides a platform for leading figures like Jack Newton and Piers Linney to share their expertise and inspire our global community. It’s a show designed to make legal knowledge accessible to everyone, offering unique insights from legal tech innovators, policymakers, and legal professionals.
The Time to Embrace AI is Now
The message from the Innovate Legal Summit 2024 is clear: the future of law is here, and AI is at the forefront of this transformation. Lawyers who embrace technology will succeed, while those who resist risk being left behind. AI and other emerging technologies aren’t just tools—they’re catalysts for a new era of legal practice defined by efficiency, accessibility, and client-centred service.
As someone deeply invested in building a global legal community, I’m excited to see how AI will continue to drive innovation and make legal services more accessible. Whether through the work being done by Clio or Caseguru the future of law is filled with opportunity for those ready to embrace change.
For those eager to explore these themes further, I encourage you to listen to my in-depth conversation with Jack Newton on the Legally Speaking Podcast, where we discuss AI’s transformative potential and the future of legal practice. Join our Legally Speaking Club Discord Community to continue the conversation, exchange ideas, and stay updated on the latest legal tech trends.
The future is bright for those willing to embrace it. Together, we can shape the next chapter of legal innovation.
Robert Hanna
Founder & Managing Director of KC Partners
Host of the Legally Speaking Podcast
Advisor to Caseguru
Advocate for Legal Tech Innovation, and Legal Community Builder