“Test, Trust, Thrive”
This year marked the last time Legalweek will be held at the New York Hilton Midtown. While Legalweek 2025 had its usual gathering of brilliant people sharing knowledge along with opportunities to renew friendships, scrutinize the latest and greatest tech, and celebrate being a part of this vibrant community, knowing this was the last time at this venue signified 2025 as a turning point.
Making the Most of It
And as a turning point, the TCDI team and I were determined to make the most of it. For us, Legalweek 2025 was filled with opportunities to spend time with long-standing, new, and potential clients. These moments, away from the hustle and bustle of the convention hall, provided an opportunity for more meaningful interactions.
The exchange of knowledge and frank discussions of our clients’ real-world challenges, along with our ability to brainstorm solutions together, is the real value of this event. If you joined us for a meeting at the venerable old Warwick, or met us for drinks or a meal, you have our gratitude.
A Shift in the AI Discussion
Beyond our one-on-one meetings, I noticed that one topic (unsurprisingly) dominated the conversation: artificial intelligence (AI). Unlike previous years, AI seems to have moved beyond theoretical debates and experimental pilot programs to become an essential tool shaping the way law firms, corporations, and service providers operate. My key takeaway (professionally and personally): Those that fail to embrace AI run the risk of obsolescence, while those that do will continue to strive for excellence in their field.
Some common themes surrounding this topic included:
AI is No Longer an Experiment, It’s a Necessity
For years, AI has been a topic of discussion, but now it’s actively being implemented in live legal matters. From contract review and eDiscovery to predictive analytics and semi-autonomous review, AI is streamlining workflows and reducing time spent on repetitive tasks. These technologies can be deployed in a pragmatic fashion within existing workflows that are comfortable to stakeholders while still minimizing risk.
User Experience is Key to AI Adoption
One of the biggest barriers to legal tech adoption has always been ease of use. Just as past technologies like Technology Assisted Review (TAR) faced skepticism due to their “black box” nature, Gen AI must be intuitive and transparent to gain widespread acceptance. The focus is now on developing user-friendly AI solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing workflows and solve real-world problems.
AI is Augmenting, Not Replacing, Lawyers
Despite concerns about AI replacing legal professionals, the reality is different. AI is enhancing legal work by automating routine tasks, allowing attorneys to focus on complex legal analysis and strategy. While the number of contract attorneys required for document-heavy tasks may decrease, human judgment remains indispensable in the legal field.
AI's Continued Impact on the Legal Industry
These themes didn’t just dominate panel discussions and individual conversations. Rather, they reflected a broader shift across the legal industry. This shift solidified, in my estimation, that organizations that fail to modernize risk losing both clients and top talent. Younger attorneys and technologists are gravitating toward entities that embrace technology as they seek work environments that prioritize efficiency and innovation.
Moreover, AI’s rise has amplified discussions about quality control, ethical considerations, and defensibility in legal matters. Just as with TAR, validation methods must be established to ensure AI-driven results stand up to scrutiny in litigation and compliance processes.
It is also worth noting that a good number of technological advancements being touted as “AI” seem to be improvements to or re-engineering of more traditional systems that are being applied in new, more creative ways.
Looking Ahead
“Legalweek 2026 at the Javitz Center!” This phrase certainly caused a lot of conversation this year. I thought it was kind of humorous to hear so many people spend the week preaching about the need to change and yet seem quite hesitant to do so.
Next year’s Legalweek location will take some getting used to. But, just like with the adoption of AI, I know the vibrant and brilliant legal community will adjust to change for an even brighter future.
John Mietliz
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John is a Senior Director at TCDI, where he brings a strategic yet hands-on approach to client development. Known for his results-oriented mindset, John takes pride in offering high-level consultative support that builds trust and drives long-term business growth. He has consistently led cross-functional teams in the successful implementation of legal and business solutions and is a public speaker who forges strong, lasting relationships with corporate legal departments and top-tier law firms. Learn more about John >
