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In<\/span> Season 9, Episode 1 of <\/span>\u201cNotes to My (Legal) Self,\u201d<\/span><\/a> I sat down with Jordan Furlong, legal sector analyst, forecaster, and consultant, to unpack the evolving state of the legal profession. With a focus on innovation, regulation, and the impact of generative AI, Jordan\u2019s insights are both a wake-up call and a rallying cry for the legal industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Legal Industry: Crumbling Infrastructure And A Call To Action<\/b><\/p>\n Jordan and I began by acknowledging a shared observation: the legal system, as it stands, is not working. While it remains massive and entrenched, cracks in the infrastructure are undeniable. From inaccessible legal services to widespread dissatisfaction among lawyers, clients, and judges, the entire ecosystem is overdue for transformation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve reached a point where business as usual isn\u2019t just insufficient \u2014 it\u2019s harmful,\u201d Jordan explained. \u201cWhether it\u2019s clients who can\u2019t afford legal help or lawyers facing burnout, the system doesn\u2019t serve anyone well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n But it\u2019s not all doom and gloom. Jordan sees this moment as an opportunity to rebuild from the ground up, driven by new tools, fresh perspectives, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.<\/span><\/p>\n Generative AI: Catalyst, Not Savior<\/b><\/p>\n Generative AI (GenAI) has captured the imagination of many industries, law included. But as Jordan pointed out, it\u2019s not the solution to all of the profession\u2019s problems. Instead, it acts as a mirror, exposing inefficiencies and systemic flaws that have long gone unaddressed.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGenAI won\u2019t solve all our problems, but it makes the existing flaws impossible to ignore,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s like taking a black box and turning it into a fish tank. Suddenly, everyone can see what\u2019s inside \u2014 and it\u2019s not pretty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Jordan emphasized that AI is a tool, not an end in itself. The real challenge lies in how the legal profession chooses to adapt and use this technology to reimagine its business models, improve client outcomes, and address access to justice.<\/span><\/p>\n The Real Problem: The Business Model Of Law<\/b><\/p>\n At the heart of the legal industry\u2019s struggles is its outdated business model. The reliance on billable hours incentivizes inefficiency and discourages meaningful client relationships. \u201cIf law firms were focused on outcomes and value instead of time spent, AI would be a facilitator, not a threat,\u201d Jordan argued.<\/span><\/p>\n He proposed a shift toward \u201crelationship pricing,\u201d where the value of the lawyer-client relationship is measured over time, rather than in six-minute increments. This model prioritizes trust, collaboration, and long-term impact over the transactional nature of hourly billing.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cImagine a framework where lawyers and clients co-create a clear set of expectations from the outset \u2014 what\u2019s included, what\u2019s not, and what the relationship is worth. That\u2019s where we need to go,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Regulation And The \u2018Nonlawyer\u2019 Problem<\/b><\/p>\n The legal profession\u2019s self-regulation also came under scrutiny. Jordan was candid: \u201cSelf-regulation is a privilege, not a right. If we don\u2019t act in the public\u2019s interest, someone else will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He criticized the use of terms like \u201cnonlawyer,\u201d calling it a relic of guild-like thinking that excludes and alienates other professionals. \u201cWe don\u2019t hear nurses talk about \u2018nonnurses,\u2019\u201d he quipped. \u201cIt\u2019s a mindset we need to move beyond if we\u2019re going to truly innovate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n By shifting focus from lawyers to the broader public good, regulators can ensure the legal system serves everyone \u2014 not just those who can afford it.<\/span><\/p>\n Education And Collaboration: A New Frontier<\/b><\/p>\n The advent of AI has also underscored the need for change in how lawyers are trained. Jordan was blunt: \u201cLaw schools aren\u2019t preparing students for the realities of practice, let alone the AI-driven future of law.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n To stay relevant, law schools must incorporate AI into their curricula, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and foster a culture of innovation. Beyond law school, practicing lawyers must embrace partnerships with other professionals, including technologists, data analysts, and designers, to drive meaningful change.<\/span><\/p>\n A Sense Of Agency: The Key Takeaway<\/b><\/p>\n As our conversation drew to a close, Jordan left us with a powerful message:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest problem in the legal profession isn\u2019t AI or regulation or the billable hour \u2014 it\u2019s learned helplessness. Too many lawyers shrug and say, \u2018What can I do?\u2019 But we <\/span>can<\/span><\/i> do something. We must. If we don\u2019t stand up and take action now, there won\u2019t be anyone else to fix it for us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Final Thoughts<\/b><\/p>\n Jordan\u2019s insights highlight both the challenges and the opportunities facing the legal profession. From rethinking pricing models to embracing AI and fostering collaboration, the path forward requires courage, creativity, and a willingness to let go of outdated practices.<\/span><\/p>\n The call to action is clear: say no to helplessness. Embrace change. And start building a legal system that truly works \u2014 for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n The post It\u2019s Actually Not About The AI: A Conversation With Jordan Furlong<\/a> appeared first on Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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Olga V. Mack <\/em><\/strong>is a Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She authored\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat<\/em><\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, and\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Blockchain Value: Transforming Business Models, Society, and Communities<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.\u00a0She is working on three books: <\/em><\/strong>Visual IQ for Lawyers (ABA 2024),\u00a0The Rise of Product Lawyers: An Analytical Framework to Systematically Advise Your Clients Throughout the Product Lifecycle (Globe Law and Business 2024), and Legal Operations in the Age of AI and Data (Globe Law and Business 2024). You can follow Olga on <\/em><\/strong>LinkedIn<\/em><\/strong><\/a> and Twitter @olgavmack.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n