In the final episode of Face the Jury Season 4, Lloyd Bell welcomes Matt Wetherington. Matt is a nationally recognized lawyer focused on high-stakes cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, and class actions. He’s also an expert in all things AI and the law. During the conversion, they explore what AI is, how law firms can use AI, and the importance of human connection as we enter “the AI age.”
Understanding AI
At its core, artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and act like humans. It encompasses a wide range of technologies, including natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and machine learning. AI systems perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, like understanding language, recognizing patterns, making decisions, and learning from experience.
These systems can analyze large amounts of data, identify trends and patterns, and make predictions or recommendations based on the information available to them. AI is revolutionizing industries across the board, from healthcare and finance to entertainment and the legal sector.
How to Apply AI to Legal Practices
Before AI, Matt was frustrated with the shortcomings of case management software and internal processes, knowing there was something better out there to help his clients. He found that by using AI tools, such as ChatGPT and custom APIs, attorneys and other legal professionals can streamline tasks such as document summarization, deposition analysis, and medical record reviews.
AI presents the opportunity to implement new methods that can cut out extra work and free up time for legal teams to have opportunities to work on tasks that can actually win the case. Matt has discovered that AI and other tools have allowed him to invest in his team and take more tedious administrative tasks off their plate so they can do their best work. What’s great is anyone has access and can build custom tools quickly, so right after you finish the podcast episode, within an hour, you could have a new process that is most likely better than your current process.
Balancing Technology in the Legal Space
In this current AI inflection point, Lloyd and Matt emphasize the importance of preserving the human element in our interactions. It’s important to remember AI is a problem-solving tool. At the end of the day, a lawyer is still the best person to take a client intake or tell the jury about your client. The best way to approach AI (and any new shiny tool) is to determine what challenges your firm is facing, and then figure out how an AI tool can help solve the problem. Use these technologies to supplement what your team is already doing and give them the tools to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently.
The Power of Human Connection
Beyond the tactical tips and tricks Matt shared for how law firms can use AI, he shared some wise advice. As we enter “the AI age,” don’t lose sight of human connection. As attorneys and people, you offer the ultimate ability to care for others and have empathy to positively impact the lives around you. An AI tool can’t replace that.
Thank you for following along with Face the Jury this season. Stay tuned for Season 5, coming soon.