Olga V. Mack

TermScout

I’m building a world where contracts close themselves—so businesses can accelerate revenue.

At TermScout, we certify contracts for fairness and risk before they’re sent—no redlines, no delays, just trusted, market-ready agreements that close faster.

This isn’t CLM. It’s not negotiation tech. It’s a new operating system for business trust—a speed layer for go-to-market teams, and the missing link between sales velocity and legal integrity.

AI gives you scale. Certification gives you trust. Together, they grow your business.

Chief Executive Officer

Product Law Hub

Product Law Hub (PLH) is redefining how legal professionals navigate the intersection of law, technology, and business. PLH equips in-house legal teams and law students with the tools to tackle regulatory and compliance challenges throughout the product lifecycle. A key initiative, Product Law Coach (PLC), is an AI-powered training platform that builds the skills needed to advise on transformative technologies like AI. Through interactive simulations and real-time AI coaching, PLC emphasizes proactive legal risk management, enabling faster, smarter, and more strategic decision-making. By bridging legal expertise with business agility, PLH and PLC are shaping the future of product law.

Co-Founder

Better Parenting Plan, Inc.

Virtual Gabby, part of Better Parenting Plan, is an AI-driven digital mediator designed to help co-parents resolve disputes and create customized parenting plans. Using sentiment analysis, intentional de-escalation, structured mediation models, and legal education, Virtual Gabby fosters constructive communication and collaborative decision-making. By reducing reliance on courts and adversarial legal processes, it makes family mediation more accessible, efficient, and effective.

CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics

As a Codex Fellow at Stanford, I research AI-driven digital professionals—autonomous agents that enhance legal, compliance, and dispute resolution workflows. My work focuses on making legal decision-making more accessible, efficient, and trustworthy. Examples include Virtual Gabby, an AI mediator for co-parents; Product Law Coach, an AI legal coach for in-house counsel and law students; and ESI Flow, an AI-powered eDiscovery copilot. I also explore AI governance and human-AI collaboration to build trust in legal AI systems, ensuring transparency, reliability, and accountability.

Fellow

TED Conferences

Speaker at TEDxUofIChicago

Speaker at TEDxUOPacific

Speaker at TEDxBGSU

Speaker at TEDxCherryCreek

Speaker at TEDxUCSB

Speaker at TEDxSanFrancisco

MIDAO

As an advisor at MIDAO, I'm involved in pioneering the use of the Marshall Islands' legal framework to empower Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). Our innovative approach recognizes DAOs' uniqueness while ensuring limited liability for members, setting a new digital and legal standard.

Working with MIDAO's visionary team is truly inspiring. Their dedication to innovative business models aligns perfectly with my belief in merging business model innovation with technological advancement for long-term success in the tech industry. It's rewarding to be part of this groundbreaking journey!

Strategic Advisor

MIT Computational Law Report

As the GenAI Editor at law.MIT.edu, part of the MIT Computational Law Report, I am spearheading a groundbreaking initiative at the intersection of law and technology. This role is   a rallying call for individuals eager to shape the future of legal frameworks. We stand at a pivotal juncture where the fusion of legal systems and technology offers unparalleled prospects for innovation and advancement. I extend an invitation to all who harbor a passion for effecting change to embark on this thrilling odyssey with us. We seek contributions from diverse backgrounds, be it legal experts, technologists, developers, or artists, as we endeavor to explore the expansive realm of legal technology through various mediums. Our vision is to foster a future where law is accessible to all, transcending barriers and engaging the brightest minds in tackling society's most pressing challenges. If you're ready to lend your expertise to a multidisciplinary endeavor aimed at illuminating the trajectory of law, I encourage you to submit your work. Let's collaborate in sculpting a legal landscape that is inclusive, equitable, and richly innovative. Together, let's redefine the boundaries of what's conceivable and carve out a historic legacy.

GenAI Editor, law.MIT.edu

Task Force on Responsible Use of Generative AI for Law

Breaking Media

As an Independent Legal Market Distinguished Analyst for Above the Law, I am passionate about exploring the evolving landscape of the legal industry, particularly the growing importance of in-house lawyers. My focus is on the In-House Counsel Compensation Report, where I aim to uncover trends and insights that highlight the critical role in-house counsel play in shaping business strategy and driving innovation. I believe that in-house legal professionals are more influential than ever, guiding companies through complex regulatory environments and advancing corporate objectives. I invite you to participate in Above the Law's 2024 In-House Lawyers Compensation Survey, as your perspectives will help us capture the dynamic shifts happening in the legal profession. Together, we can provide a clearer picture of the value that in-house lawyers bring to their organizations and the broader industry.

Legal Market Distinguished Analyst, Above the Law

As a twice-weekly columnist for Above the Law since 2016, I've written hundreds of articles, predicted numerous trends, and conducted in-depth analyses on in-house legal matters, technology, and the future of law. I am passionate about featuring rising leaders and providing insights that help legal professionals navigate the rapidly evolving legal environment, become more inclusive, and close the digital transformation divide together.

I embrace legal innovation and have dedicated my career to improving and shaping the future of law. I am convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive by embracing technology.

Twice-Weekly Columnist, Above the Law

Association of Corporate Counsel

As a technology columnist for the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Docket since 2015, I've authored hundreds of articles—more than anyone else on the platform. I focus on empowering in-house legal teams to elevate their practices through digital transformation by upskilling the practice, business, and operations of law. Additionally, I played a key role in helping the publication transition to a digital format, ensuring it remains a vital resource for legal professionals navigating the evolving landscape.

Docket, Columnist

LexisNexis

It was truly an honor for me to rejoin the LexisNexis (NYSE: RELX) family when they acquired Parley Pro.

As I continue my journey, my top priority lies in seamlessly integrating Parley Pro into LexisNexis CounselLink. This endeavor ensures that our valued users can fully benefit from the combined strengths and capabilities of both platforms.

I am passionate about disruptive technologies, including AI/ML, Web3, and data-driven solutions. Through embracing these innovations, I aim to foster a culture of service and drive forward-thinking approaches that push the boundaries of the legal industry.

My true calling lies in building the future of law, where digital transformation plays a central role. By empowering lawyers to become even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive through embracing the digital realm, I believe we can create a legal landscape that truly makes a difference. It is my unwavering commitment to these passions that drives me forward each day.

Vice President & CEO of CounselLink CLM (formerly Parley Pro) (NYSE: RELX)

Hey there! I’m Olga, and my path here wasn’t exactly linear. If you’re looking for the kind of CEO bio that starts with “I’ve always known I’d…” well, this isn’t it.

Where It All Began

My journey began in Ukraine, where I dreamed of creating beautiful things. As a kid, I thought art school would be my next big step. But life had other plans—I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area at 13, a place I call “Candy Land” for its endless opportunities. Here, I discovered that tech can be beautiful, functional, and a powerful tool for change. That discovery shaped everything I do today.

The Spark

Today, I live and breathe at the intersection of law, technology, and impact. As a CEO, I’ve led a legal tech startup (which I sold to LexisNexis) and advised Fortune 100 companies and leading tech companies on how to innovate safely and law better. I’ve been privileged to work as a General Counsel, guiding companies through IPOs, acquisitions, and complex investigations. And along the way, I’ve taught at Berkeley Law, researched at Stanford Law, prosecuted cases as a San Francisco DA, written books, spoken at top conferences, and advocated for a future where law serves people—not just systems.

Why I’m Here

In a world that sometimes feels complicated and opaque, I believe we can make law simpler, fairer, and more accessible. The rule of law should be like electricity—there to support all of us without being cumbersome or costly.

My Mission

⚖️ Make Law Accessible – Using technology, we can make law a service for all. It doesn’t need to be expensive or intimidating. It can be clear, helpful, and humane.

🖼️ Design for Understanding – Legal concepts shouldn’t be a mystery. Through design and practical visuals, I want to make law a universal language everyone can understand.

💻 Modernize the Law – The legal system shouldn’t run like a clunky, outdated machine. With new tech, we can make it responsive, resilient, and built for the world we live in now.

Join Me on This Journey

Law doesn’t have to be a dated circuit board—it can be as simple and intuitive as flipping a switch. It can be empowering, fair, and even beautiful. If you’re ready to challenge how we law, let’s connect.

Vice President & CEO of CounselLink CLM (formerly Parley Pro)

It was truly an honor for me to rejoin the LexisNexis family when they acquired Parley Pro.

As I continue my journey, my top priority lies in seamlessly integrating Parley Pro into LexisNexis CounselLink. This endeavor ensures that our valued users can fully benefit from the combined strengths and capabilities of both platforms.

I am passionate about disruptive technologies, including AI/ML, Web3, and data-driven solutions. Through embracing these innovations, I aim to foster a culture of service and drive forward-thinking approaches that push the boundaries of the legal industry.

My true calling lies in building the future of law, where digital transformation plays a central role. By empowering lawyers to become even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive through embracing the digital realm, I believe we can create a legal landscape that truly makes a difference. It is my unwavering commitment to these passions that drives me forward each day.

I thrive at the intersection of law and technology, serving as the Principal Legal Insights Strategist at 8am, the team behind 8am MyCase, LawPay, CasePeer, and DocketWise, a company that empowers professionals with innovative software and fintech solutions. With a decade of law practice and twenty years of experience in the legal tech industry, my multi-faceted expertise enables me to bridge the gap between technology and the legal profession.

In my current role, I provide valuable insights for driving strategy, disseminate industry knowledge across teams, and foster industry relations. Externally I educate lawyers on leveraging technology to enhance their practices, improve efficiency, and deliver superior client service.

My contributions to the field include authoring/co-authoring three books: Cloud Computing for Lawyers (ABA, 2012), Social Media for Lawyers (ABA, 2010), and Criminal Law in New York (Thomson Reuters, 1999). Additionally, I write regular legal tech columns for the ABA Journal, Above the Law, and The Daily Record. I am also a frequent speaker at legal conferences nationwide, where I advocate for the integration of legal technology in the practice of law.

Principal Legal Insight Strategist

College of Law Practice Management

ABA Journal

I write a monthly legal technology column for the ABA Journal

Columnist

Above the Law

I write a legal technology column for Above the Law

The Daily Record (Rochester, NY)

I've written a weekly legal technology column for the Daily Record since 2008.

MyCase

I exist where law and technology intersect. I am the bridge between technology and the practice of law both internally at MyCase and externally with lawyers.  I provide legal Subject Matter Expertise (SME) insight internally and externally, leverage legal industry relationships to establish law school and legal clinic programs,  and educate lawyers on using technology to streamline their law firms, increase efficiencies, and provide better client representation. I've written (or co-authored) 3 books: Cloud Computing for Lawyers [ABA 2012], Social Media for Lawyers [ABA 2010], and Criminal Law in New York [Thomson Reuters 1999]). I also write regular legal tech columns for Above the Law, ABA Journal, and The Daily Record, and frequently speak about using legal tech in the practice of law at legal conferences across the country.

Senior Director, SME & External Education

Legal Technology Evangelist

Monroe County Bar Association

Member Board of Trustees

Founder and Chair of the Technology Committee

Thomson Reuters

I co-authored "Criminal in New York," a legal treatise, with Judge Karen Morris.

Author

American Bar Association

I authored "Cloud Computing for Lawyers" which was published by the ABA in 2012.

I co-authored "Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier" with Carolyn Elefant. It was published by the American Bar Association in 2010.

Book Author

Bloomberg Law

I wrote a monthly legal technology column.

Freelance Columnist

I operate at the intersection of law, technology, and innovation strategy. A former litigator turned legal tech and AI expert, I now serve as Principal Legal Insight Strategist at 8am, the team behind 8am LawPay, MyCase, CasePeer, and DocketWise.Inside the company, I provide insight on the legal market, law firm operations, and how AI is impacting the practice of law. I advise on AI implementation within our products, author legal industry reports, and guide teams on how to communicate with lawyers so that our technology solutions and messaging align with their needs and realities. My role bridges market knowledge, product strategy, and effective engagement with the legal profession.Outside the company, I educate the legal community on adopting technology to improve efficiency and client service. I’ve authored (or co-authored) three books, including Cloud Computing for Lawyers and Social Media for Lawyers (ABA Publishing), and Criminal Law in New York (Thomson Reuters). I also write columns for the ABA Journal, Above the Law, The Daily Record, and the 8am Blog, and speak frequently at leading conferences such as ABA TECHSHOW, Legalweek, and ILTACON on topics including AI ethics and legal innovation.Specialties: AI in Law • Legal Technology • Innovation Strategy • SaaS Growth • Legal Market Analysis • Product Strategy • Messaging &amp; Positioning • Legal Operations • Compliance • Industry Reports • Public Speaking

Nicole Black

Law schools are still studying AI like it’s a theoretical problem. Meanwhile, their graduates are already using it.

For nearly two decades, legal education has watched change happen from a safe distance. Even as tech reshaped every part of our lives, most schools stuck to the same playbook: lecture, exam, repeat.

The result? Lawyers learning about the tools that define modern practice after they graduate.

A few highlights from my latest Daily Record column:
  🔷 Only one-third of law schools currently offer AI-related courses.
  🔷 Students are forming AI societies because their schools won’t teach it.
  🔷 A few standouts like Fordham University School of Law, ASU, and Suffolk University Law School now require AI training for first-years.
  🔷 And University of North Carolina School of Law recently ran a “trial-by-bot” with ChatGPT, Grok, and Anthropic serving as jurors. (Spoiler: it didn’t go well — but at least they tried.)

Law schools need to stop studying the problem and start preparing students for an AI-first world. Teach them how these tools work, where they fail, and how to use them responsibly.

AI isn’t on the horizon. It’s already part of legal work. Schools that adapt will serve their students well. The ones that don’t will keep graduating lawyers trained for a world that no longer exists.

AI in Law & Legaltech Expert | Legal Innovation & Strategy | Principal Legal Insight Strategist at 8am, the team behind LawPay, MyCase, CasePeer, & DocketWise | Lawyer, Author, Journalist, Speaker | WSET 2 Wine Certified

After practicing law for a decade, blogging helped me build a path to the next stage of my career.

Shouting into the ether was something I really enjoyed doing. Even better, it opened doors, helping me build a network in legal tech, and lay the foundation for everything that followed, including writing three books along the way: ABA-published books "Social Media for Lawyers" and "Cloud Computing for Lawyers," and "Criminal Law in New York," a Thomson Reuters treatise.

I recently joined Kevin O'Keefe on his LexBlog, Inc. podcast to talk about that journey and how it developed over the years. 

We discussed how consistent writing helped me transition from practicing law into legal tech, eventually bringing me to MyCase. 

From there, the company went through three acquisitions, ultimately becoming part of AffiniPay, which is now 8am. Each stage expanded both the work I was able to do and the tools we offer lawyers.

We also talked about 8am's move to a unified brand and our first customer conference, Kaleidoscope, which Kevin attended.  

We definitely covered a lot of ground! If you’re interested in how publishing can influence a legal career, it's worth a listen. More info in the comments 👇

(1) Feed | LinkedIn

JSESSIONID

li_at

Lawyer, CEO and Founder at LexBlog

LexBlog, Inc.

🙌 This week’s Legaltech Reality Check just dropped!

This round: a seemingly harmless LinkedIn search detonates into a four-figure “surprise,” courts keep inventing tech rules like it’s a competitive sport, and a robot takes a 66-mile victory lap that suggests the apocalypse may arrive at a brisk walking pace.

Here’s what’s on the docket:
◾️ Email templates save your sanity (and your inbox)
◾️ Body cams take a step even further into Black Mirror territory
◾️ Our entire legal AI stack may be one power blink away from absolute chaos

👉 Subscribe for your weekly dose of legal tech news, mild existential dread, and robot-overlord warm-ups.

🙏 Like the newsletter? Share it before Alexa straps on a body-cam, buys a pair of steel-toed combat boots, and starts training for Ironman.

Welcome! Welcome to the Legaltech Reality Check! Every week, you've got a front seat to the latest news in legal technology, privacy, our robot overlo

Open article: Legaltech Reality Check | December 5, 2025 by Nicole Black • 6 min read

Legaltech Reality Check | December 5, 2025

🙌 This week’s Legaltech Reality Check just dropped!

This week: Elon unveils his most dystopian idea yet (and somehow says it’s “more humane”), your browser might’ve just scheduled a data leak, and lawyers form a grassroots justice league, just not the kind you’d expect.

Here’s what’s on the docket:
◾ Law schools roll out their boldest tech update since Westlaw moved to CDs
◾ A podcasting robot with big “junior associate who over-prepped” energy
◾ A rule that says “benefits first,” but lawyers heard “panic only”

👉 Subscribe for your weekly dose of legal tech drama, robot side-eyes, and court-adjacent chaos.

🙏 Like the newsletter? Share it before Alexa starts turning your briefs into true crime podcasts.

Legaltech Reality Check | November 14, 2025

Unpopular opinion: 2025 wasn’t a year of legaltech "Innovation." It was about consolidation, cash, and stretching the rules.

It seemed like we spent the last 12 months chasing "Agentic AI" and a wave of new AI startups. But looking back at the stories that actually defined 2025, the reality was much more interesting.

🎙️ I recently had the pleasure of joining Victor Li on the ABA Legal Rebels podcast, and we broke down 2025's legaltech trends and discussed why this year was often defined by turbulence more than clear-cut progress.

Here is the reality of 2025:

🔹 Cash drowned out the code: Record funding and unprecedented M&As often overshadowed the actual tech updates.

🔹 The "Non-Lawyer" Era is here: Illinois is letting non-lawyers handle family/housing law, and Big Law is openly exploring private equity funding.

🔹 Students had to lead: While schools stalled on guidance, students barged ahead and formed their own AI societies to close the gap.

Our profession has always preferred to look backward, but 2025 was different. It forced us—ready or not—to look, and move, forward.

Catch the full breakdown below 👇

🤷🏻‍♀️There’s got to be a better way!

Judges are rolling out individual tech-related rules at a rapid pace, but the approach is scattered and often reactive. 

💡 Instead of making technology easier to use in litigation, these mandates frequently add uncertainty and unnecessary complexity.

In a recent Above the Law article, I explain why individual courtroom rules about tech are so problematic for busy litigators, especially in an era of rapid tech advancements :

🔹 Tech rules now vary widely from judge to judge, even on basic tools like social media.
🔹 A LinkedIn juror-research case that resulted in $10,000 in sanctions shows how easily a lawyer can violate a standing order despite good-faith efforts.
🔹 AI “hallucination” concerns have produced an inconsistent mix of disclosures, limits, and outright bans, creating a maze of rules that busy litigators have to navigate.

The core problem isn’t that courts are offering guidance; it’s that the guidance is all over the place. 

The bottom line: Courts don’t need more individual mandates; they need consistent statewide or national standards. 

A unified framework would reduce confusion, support responsible use, and encourage lawyers to embrace new tools as practical assets rather than risks to navigate.

More info on the column below 👇

While I was making dinner last night, I found myself thinking about legal tech. 

I started with a laundry list of ingredients: chopped vegetables, sausage, tomatoes, beans, spinach, a pot warming on the stove, and a glass of Finger Lakes wine that kept the situation civilized. 

Nothing remarkable on its own. The real magic happened when I put it all together. It's the execution that takes a meal from so-so to satisfying.

I’ve been thinking about AI in law firms the same way. We now have plenty of “ingredients” to choose from: new tools, new guidance, new guardrails, and new expectations. 

However, the real value lies in how we choose to put AI to work in practice. 

The tools are only part of the equation. 

It’s the implementation and training decisions, application to workflows, and the consistency in practice that determine AI's impact on your firm's operations.

Whether you’re in a kitchen or a law office, ingredients absolutely matter. 

💡 But what you do with them matters even more.

🙌 This week’s Legaltech Reality Check just dropped!

This week: A robot with features straight from a bad brainstorm session 
 somehow made it past QA, an AI guide tries to steer lawyers gently toward common sense, and podcast guesting gets a legal marketing glow-up.

Here’s what’s on the docket:
◾️ A court learns the hard way that emojis and printers don’t mix
◾️ Lawyers are worried about AI confidentiality—but at least one read the actual terms
◾️ Turns out yelling into the internet void is a career strategy

👉 Subscribe for your weekly dose of legal tech news, existential discomfort, and robot overlord chaos.

🙏 Like the newsletter? Share it before Alexa leaks your ChatGPT queries and they become the most compelling evidence since OJ's gloves.

Legaltech Reality Check | November 21, 2025

✅ Lawyers now have another helpful resource for approaching AI with care and structure. 

Last month, the Illinois ARDC released "The Illinois Attorney’s Guide to Implementing AI," a practical document that addresses the questions many legal professionals consider as they incorporate AI into their day-to-day work.

The Guide offers many useful resources, including:
▶️ A GAI Terms of Use Checklist for reviewing vendor contracts
▶️ A Sample Notice of Artificial Intelligence Practices for client communication
▶️ A Sample Use of GAI Tools Policy to set expectations within a practice
▶️ A Sample Informed Client Consent Form for matters involving AI tools

As I explain in my latest Daily Record article, lawyers aren’t expected to become AI experts, but do need a consistent way to classify information, evaluate risks, and confirm that a vendor’s safeguards meet their professional obligations. 

This guide does the trick, emphasizing thoughtful, informed use rather than broad claims about what AI might offer the profession. Even if you don’t practice in Illinois, the recommendations and templates are helpful for lawyers seeking to implement AI into their firms.

At the end of every year, I round up my ABA Journal articles. My goal for this column has always been to help legal professionals navigate change and choose the best legaltech tools for their firm's needs. 

As I explain in this year's articles, key challenges for software buyers included consolidation across the industry, active acquisition activity, and a steady wave of AI announcements that sometimes moved faster than anyone could absorb.

Top issues I covered included:

✔️ AI and access to justice
✔️ The evolution of eDiscovery tools
✔️ Findings from the 8am 2025 Legal Industry Report
✔️ Lead intake and client-communication tools
✔️ A roadmap for adopting generative AI in small firms
✔️ Software options for immigration, bankruptcy, and PI practices
✔️ ILTACON takeaways
✔️ Whether legal tech is any closer to improving access to justice

Even for those of us who closely track these updates, 2025 has moved quickly. Hopefully, my articles helped cut through the noise and provided clear, practical takeaways for legal professionals navigating a crowded software landscape.

Next month, my final article of the year will provide a roundup of the year’s legal tech news highlights. 

🎙️ And later today, I’ll be recording an episode of the ABA Journal’s Legal Rebels Podcast with my editor, Victor Li, to talk through these trends and predict what to expect in the year to come, so stay tuned!

Assistant Managing Editor, ABA Journal | Author and former attorney

The other day, I was putting the finishing touches on a few rooms in our house.

🤔 It got me thinking about how small changes can make a big difference, whether you’re decorating a space or choosing tech for a law firm. 

I pulled up the original real estate listing photos to compare them to the updated rooms. It was amazing how a new paint color, different furniture placement, and a few thoughtful details completely revamped the space.

Legal tech works the same way. Firms don’t necessarily need a major overhaul to see meaningful results. 

Progress often comes from smaller, more intentional steps: choosing tools that fit into firm workflows, setting them up carefully, supporting the team as they learn the software, and making reasonable adjustments once everything is in place.

💡 In both settings, thoughtful approaches and careful planning go a long way. Small, well-considered decisions can have a huge impact.

Excited to share that I’ll be joining Joshua Carter and Jared Correia for this 8am webinar next week:

Getting Started with AI: Practical Tools and Real-World Use Cases for Legal Professionals
 📅 December 9, 2025
 ⏰ 12:00 pm CT

This webinar is for legal professionals who are curious about AI but not sure where to begin. Topics covered will include:

✔️ A plain-language overview of core AI concepts
✔️ Practical examples of how tools like ChatGPT can help with marketing, research, drafting, intake, and workflows
✔️ A short “homework” exercise you can do the same day to start building lasting habits

I’m looking forward to the conversation with Josh and Jared, and I’m especially grateful to Sarah Schneider and Brittany Hoffmann from 8am for all the planning and behind-the-scenes work to bring this together.

If you’re looking for a grounded starting point with AI, you can register below 👇

Social media mining for evidence has been part of litigation for years. Ethics committees across the country have made it clear that lawyers may view publicly available information about witnesses, jurors, etc. as long as they don’t use deception to get behind a privacy wall. 

▶️ The gray area has always been passive notifications when researching jurors, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, and ethics committees across jurisdictions do not fully agree on whether those notifications are considered prohibited contact.

A recent order from the Northern District of California shows why that distinction still matters. 

Judge Orrick’s Standing Order bars the use of LinkedIn for juror research because the platform sends automatic profile-view notifications. Even if the viewer’s identity isn’t shown, the notification itself is treated as contact.

💡 The broader point is simple: when researching jurors online, you have to consider both the ethics guidance in your jurisdiction and any local rules or judge-specific orders that apply in your case. 

Those court-level instructions can be stricter than the ethics opinions you’re familiar with, and they control what’s allowed in that courtroom.

And it’s not enough for you to understand the rules. Anyone working on your behalf—consultants, investigators, staff—must be fully briefed before they run a single search. 

A quick review up front can prevent violations, protect juror privacy, and avoid turning routine background research into a costly problem.

I wrote about this issue for The Daily Record 👇 because it highlights a recurring theme: even though social media feels routine, juror research still requires careful attention to the rules that govern it.

🙌 This week’s Legaltech Reality Check just dropped!

This round: legal tech closed out 2025 hailing chaos as “innovation, In-house teams told BigLaw to "talk to the hand," and Miami unveiled an art installation that somehow made robot dogs feel like the least concerning part.

📌 Inside this week:
 ◾️ A new way to “read” legal content that the ethics rules would very much like a word about
 ◾️ Engagement letters getting an AI disclaimer glow-up
 ◾️ Proof that AI safety measures crumble when confronted with a man from Nantucket

👉 Subscribe for your weekly dose of legal tech news, mild existential dread, and robot-overlord welcomes.

🙏 Like the newsletter? Share it before Siri puts a billionaire’s head on herself and runs off claiming it’s performance art.

Open article: Legaltech Reality Check | December 12, 2025 by Nicole Black • 6 min read

Legaltech Reality Check | December 12, 2025

Important research on the value - or lack thereof - of the perfect prompt. 

My take has always been that you just talk to GAI - no need to give it a persona, etc.  

Over time, you may notice you're entering the same instructions over and over for certain tasks. That's when you know you've got a repeatable prompt worth saving that you've created organically and painlessly.

The concept of the "perfect prompt" stalls GAI adoption, so don't even worry about it. 

Dive in, use it, and the rest will come.

Legalweek 2025 Innovator of the Year - Founder and CEO at Clearbrief.ai (2025 Finalist, Best Use of AI in Litigation, 2023 Litigation Product of the Year, 2022 New Law Company of the Year, Legalweek)

If you're trying to teach your lawyers how to prompt - heads up that a new study from the University of Pennsylvania (shoutout to my alma mater) established that starting your prompt by assigning a persona does NOT actually improve accuracy of the results.

Sigh. This is why I continue to have the (seemingly minority view) in legaltech that at least when it comes to litigators, products that require us to train lawyers in prompting techniques ultimately frustrate the user. My perspective (evident in Clearbrief.ai) is that the tech should just work consistently without needing the user to master prompting. 

Let the tech companies test and benchmark the prompts and end-to-end workflows. Let the lawyers lawyer. 

Keeping up to date in the prompting tips and tricks that actually improve LLM outputs is a full time job. Most lawyers (especially the ones who are not tech savvy) quickly get frustrated when prompting doesn't give them the results they want. A lot of back-and-forth with prompting might look like "usage," but it represents user frustration. 

Link to the study below.

#litigation #ai #prompting #llms

If you’re staring at a holiday gift list and coming up empty or hoping someone finally buys you something actually useful, my latest Daily Record article might help. 

A few hints at what’s inside:

🔹 Two books that explain today’s tech without inducing existential dread (hint: the authors are Richard Susskind and Matt Henshon)
🔹 A hotel-room charger that handles all your devices without the nightly cord shuffle
🔹 Headphones that do more than cancel noise (as if that's not enough!)
🔹 A tiny plane-friendly add-on that solves the seatback screen headache

Any others you'd add to the list?

Access to the article below. 👇

💡 "ChatGPT or Claude?" is the new Pepsi vs. Coke.

Most of us have a go-to LLM we use without thinking about it. You probably pay for it, too. I know I do.

I’m curious which one you reach for first.

Vote in the poll below and let us know. 📊 

If you chose "Other," tell us which tool you prefer in the comments.

And no matter what your vote was, why was it your top pick, and what do you usually use it for? 👇

Looking for LinkedIn tips? Look no further! This great post written by Allison Johs has you covered 👇

LinkedIn has changed, and the old “post and hope” strategy doesn’t cut it anymore!

Today, it’s all about relevance. Meaningful comments, consistent posts, and real engagement now matter more than ever if you want to stand out and build your network. 💬

Get practical tips on how to boost visibility and connect with the right audience in our latest blog.

Read the blog here ➡️ https://bit.ly/44eGRkG

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Nicole Black's LinkedIn Performance

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