AI and the Future of Law

Predictions for 2026 in AI and the Law

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building AI Tools for All: Closing the Justice Gap with Sateesh Nori & Tom Martin

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Making Talk Cheap: Are AI Tools Devaluing Legal Writing?

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI in LA Courts: David Slayton on Access to Justice

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from MAICON 2025: Building AAA’s First AI Arbitrator

Can an AI fairly decide a dispute—and win party trust? Recorded live at MAICON 2025, this episode dives into the American Arbitration Association’s first AI arbitrator, a documents-only two-party workflow designed for construction cases with a human in the loop. AAA President Bridget McCormack explains the multi-agent architecture, why procedural fairness matters, and how the tool reflects a century of arbitration expertise. We also unpack OpenAI’s Sora 2 rollout, likeness/IP controversies, and the shift from opt-out to permission-first models—and what deepfakes mean for courts and the rule of law.Topics covered:How AAA’s AI arbitrator works (and when to use it)Human oversight, speed, and cost gainsSora 2’s IP backlash and policy reversalDeepfakes, watermarking limits, and courtroom risk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.