Internal know-how, never client files
The records AI labs care about reveal how strong legal practice is organized. Most of it sits outside any one client file:
- Precedent banks and templates, with the thinking behind each clause
- Checklists, research memos and training material written for your own lawyers
- How intake, staffing and matters run, as recorded in your practice management system
- Billing narratives with every name and identifier taken out
Your precedents stay with the firm
The originals stay right where they are, with no passwords requested. What a buyer licenses is a prepared copy of the material you approved, for training and testing AI models. Any practice group, set of templates or time period you see as core to the firm can be held back.
Removing privileged material
The copy has privileged and confidential material removed. Whether anything connected to a client belongs in scope at all is for your firm and its counsel to decide, and we do not give legal advice about it. Client matters can be left out completely. Many firms start and finish with internal know-how alone.
If a practice group or folder leaves you unsure, simply exclude it.
Names and matters are swapped for placeholders
In anything that remains in scope, placeholders replace clients, the parties on the other side, your lawyers and your staff. Matter numbers and similar identifiers get the same treatment. Before anything goes out, you review a sample and approve it, so you see exactly what a buyer would see.
How a firm can sensibly begin
Start by requesting the estimate, then bring your counsel's likely questions to the first short call. Many firms bring a list: which systems are being discussed, how placeholders are applied, and how the sample review works. Your counsel can look at the prepared sample ahead of any release, and the firm may stop whenever it likes before it approves. You give no client names or documents for the estimate, and the range does not change with your practice area.
Questions firms usually start with
Can law firms join in?
This is one for your counsel to answer, not us. We can explain the process, and your counsel decides what, if anything, fits your obligations.
Is there any cost to the firm?
No. There is no cost to you at any stage.
Is the first call kept confidential?
Yes. It all begins under an NDA, and sharing happens only once you approve.
See my firm's starting point.
It depends on the size of the firm and its age. Practice area plays no part in the figure.
How many employees does your company have?
Indicative estimate based on your answers. Not an offer or guarantee.