In this edition of the Priori Digest, a weekly look at what’s happening in law and technology, we look at how boutique firms are embracing innovative technology, why startup founders might be smart to add a legally-trained employee early on and the coming rise of alternative legal service providers for more complicated work. Enjoy!
What we’re reading
- A recent prominent study has provided an optimistic perspective on the prospects of AI and its future effect on workers. It suggests that job satisfaction will be enhanced by the elimination of mundane tasks, giving people time to be more creative
- This piece sets out to explain why so many in-house professionals are joining AI contract startups
- PwC has continued its push into the legal services sector by announcing a strategic alliance with New York-based firm Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP
- What cases to look out for in the upcoming 2018-19 Supreme Court term
- The bestselling author of Sapiens and Homo Deus, Yuval Noah Harari, has some thoughts and predictions on the impact of automation for both the workplace and society more generally
- A survey of 300 global law firms suggests that firms recognize automation’s importance, but that they still aren’t taking advantage of it
What in the weird
- An ax-throwing bar in Michigan has been deemed unsafe and had its liquor license suspended for one day
- A novelist who penned a blog post labeled ‘How To Murder Your Husband’ has been charged with her husband’s murder
By the numbers
- 43: The percentage of women who approve of the way the Supreme Court is handling its job--a 13 year low
- 91: The number of venture and private equity deals made by Google’s parent company, Alphabet. This makes it the most prolific corporate investor of 2018 so far
- 1: On top of dumping billable hours, prominent Australian law firm, Corr Chambers Westgarth, is adding one extra week of leave
