Zach sits down with NetDocuments Chief Product Officer Dan Hauck to unpack how AI is truly being used inside law firms and in-house legal teams today - from large-scale document profiling to agentic assistants that search, summarize, and edit directly within the DMS. Recorded live at ND Inspire conference, Dan explains why lightweight models are unlocking new automation, how in-house teams are often leading on adoption, and why the real ROI of legal AI goes beyond efficiency to include better onboarding, less isolation, and more confident decision-making for lawyers at every level.

• The biggest changes Dan has witnessed after 8 years of the Inspire conference

• How firms are using AI at scale — not just on pilot use cases

• Why automated document profiling is now possible across millions of docs

• Understanding small models vs. large models in legal workflows

• How AI pipelines classify, extract, and enrich metadata instantly

• New use cases emerging inside the DMS (repapering, diligence, discovery, onboarding)

• Why in-house teams are often ahead of firms in AI adoption

• How agentic AI assistants reduce loneliness and cognitive overload

• The ROI debate: real numbers vs. intangible benefits

• What lawyers gain: better focus, faster context loading, and stronger client service

• Why this moment feels like a once-in-a-generation shift in legal technology

Learn More: Zach - legallydisrupted.com Dan - https://www.netdocuments.com/company/our-people/dan-hauck/

Follow Along: Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz Dan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danhauck

Zach talks with Jen Berrent, former WeWork executive and founder of Covenant, an AI-first law firm reimagining how deals get done. They dive deep into what it means to build a law firm from the ground up around artificial intelligence — not as a tool, but as the foundation. Jen shares her perspective on why too much work still runs through Big Law, how AI is transforming the middle tier of legal work, and what it takes to balance human expertise with machine efficiency.

In this episode:

• What an “AI-first” law firm actually looks like

• How Covenant is redesigning legal workflows from scratch

• The problem with Big Law’s “too much work, too few alternatives” model

• Why reading comprehension is AI’s legal superpower

• Building client trust in the age of automation

• How AI can accelerate deals — without sacrificing rigor

• The difference between a “relationship ramp” and a “SaaS snowball”

• The challenges (and advantages) of raising funding in legal AI

• Lessons from Robin AI’s struggles — and why clarity of business model matters

• Why this is a once-in-a-generation moment for lawyers who want to innovate

Learn More: Zach – legallydisrupted.com Jen – https://covenant.co/about

Follow Along: Zach – linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz Jen – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferberrent

• The origin story of Harvey and how it became the “Dallas Cowboys of Legal Tech”

• Lessons from the early days of AI at Google Brain and DeepMind

• Why the real opportunity isn’t automation — it’s amplification

• How top law firms are already using AI for high-level strategic work

• The emerging hybrid model of AI + human legal reasoning

• Why firm size and structure could shift dramatically in the next decade

• Rethinking ROI: morale, retention, and client trust as key performance drivers

• How Harvey is helping firms pitch, collaborate, and win new business

• The future of AI-first law firms — from pricing models to client partnerships

• Robin AI's Struggles
• Personal Connections and Reflections
• Speculations and Broader Implications
• Comparing AI Legal Tech Companies
• Legal Experts in Tech Companies
• Investment in AI-Driven Legal Services
• The Importance of Expertise with AI
• Legal Innovators London Event Preview
• The Future of AI in Law Firms

• Catherine Kemnitz's Career Journey
• Axiom's Strategic Moves and Innovations
• The Impact of AI on Legal Services
• Generative AI and Legal Tech Evolution
• AI Adoption in Legal Departments vs. Law Firms
• Axiom's Approach to AI and Future Outlook

• Understanding Centari's Vision
• Unique Market Insights and Adoption
• Challenges and Opportunities in Legal Tech
• Building Trust with Law Firms
• Future of Legal Practices
• Fried Frank Partnership
• Navigating Market Noise
• First Principles and Differentiation
• AI Adoption in Law Firms
• Reddit Thread Controversy
• Building a Strong Company Culture

• Non-Lawyer Ownership of Law Firms
• AI in Transactional Work
• The Business Model of AI-First Law Firms
• Measurable ROI in Legal Tech
• The IKEA Catalog Scenario
• AI-First Firms vs. Incumbents
• Market Saturation and Future Predictions

References:

https://www.artificiallawyer.com/2025/09/03/eudia-opens-ai-augmented-law-firm-for-ma/

• Summer Surge in Legal AI Deals
• Generative AI Platforms for Lawyers
• Market Share and Productivity Tools
• Global Legal Market and Pricing Strategies
• Emerging Competitors and Market Dynamics
• The Battle for Legal AI Dominance
• The Future of Legal Tech Giants: Mergers and Acquisitions
• The Role of Investors in Legal Tech
• The Importance of Specialization in Legal Tech
• The Future of AI in Legal Tech: Assistants vs. Automators