{"id":118847,"date":"2025-05-13T06:03:20","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T14:03:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/05\/13\/how-to-build-your-own-llm-product-in-5-easy-steps-with-horace-wu\/"},"modified":"2025-05-13T06:03:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T14:03:20","slug":"how-to-build-your-own-llm-product-in-5-easy-steps-with-horace-wu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/05\/13\/how-to-build-your-own-llm-product-in-5-easy-steps-with-horace-wu\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Build Your Own LLM Product In 5 Easy Steps With Horace Wu"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/p>\n

(Image via Getty)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In<\/span> Season 9, Episode 6 of <\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/i>Notes to My (Legal) Self,<\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/i><\/a> I had the privilege of speaking with Horace Wu, founder and CEO of Syntheia, a company revolutionizing contract data analytics and smart drafting for transactional lawyers. Horace shared practical insights into building successful legal tech products, particularly those leveraging large language models (LLMs). This episode was a masterclass in collaborative building, innovation, and how to listen to your users to deliver transformative solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Horace\u2019s Journey: From Lawyer To Builder<\/b><\/p>\n

Horace\u2019s story began at a crossroads: after stepping away from his law firm, he explored new horizons, ultimately discovering the potential of language models back in 2017. His journey has been defined by one driving force: <\/span>creating things of substance for transactional lawyers.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to create impactful tools, and over time, I realized transactional lawyers were the perfect audience because I understood their challenges deeply,\u201d Horace shared.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Build, Buy, Or Blend?<\/b><\/p>\n

In the age of generative AI, organizations face a familiar question with a new twist: should we build, buy, or blend solutions?<\/span><\/p>\n

Horace emphasized that the decision depends on <\/span>your pain points and <\/span>desired outcomes. While building MVPs has never been easier \u2014 thanks to tools like LangChain and LamaIndex \u2014 scaling from prototype to production remains a significant hurdle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not the zero-to-one that\u2019s hard; it\u2019s the one-to-one hundred that\u2019s the real challenge,\u201d Horace explained. Often, this is where buying or partnering becomes the smarter choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Art Of Design Partnerships<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the most valuable insights Horace shared was about design partnerships \u2014 a collaborative approach where vendors and law firms work together to build solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

To make design partnerships successful, Horace identified three key elements:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Expertise.<\/b> The law firm must bring deep domain knowledge to identify critical problems.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Commitment.<\/b> Building impactful tools requires iterative effort; both parties must be in it for the long haul.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Alignment.<\/b> There must be a shared vision and a good working relationship.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s like a marriage \u2014 you can\u2019t force it,\u201d Horace joked.<\/span><\/p>\n

    He also addressed a common challenge: convincing partners that the solution built together will eventually serve other clients, including competitors. The key? <\/span>Transparency. The first adopter benefits from a tailored solution, and the shared investment ensures long-term improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Defining Success In Collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Horace acknowledged that defining success in collaborative projects can be tricky. While there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach, he recommended setting <\/span>milestones rather than an unattainable final goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cYou\u2019re never done \u2014 it\u2019s about getting to stages where you can deliver value, gather feedback, and iterate,\u201d he explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The 5 Easy Steps To Building An LLM Product<\/b><\/p>\n

    Horace outlined five actionable steps for building your own LLM-powered solution:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Find The Pain Point.<\/b> Identify a specific challenge your users face.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Map The User Journey.<\/b> Understand how the problem fits into the broader workflow and where friction occurs.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Leverage The Right Technology.<\/b> Assess where LLMs or other tools can genuinely make an impact.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Build The Right Team.<\/b> Assemble domain experts, tech builders, and a \u201ctranslator\u201d to bridge the gap between the two.<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. Iterate Relentlessly.<\/b> Launch, gather feedback, and refine continuously.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      These steps highlight the importance of aligning technical capabilities with user needs, fostering collaboration, and maintaining a focus on incremental improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Listening: The Key To Building Solutions That Matter<\/b><\/p>\n

      Horace stressed that listening is the most critical skill when building products for lawyers.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \u201cLawyers know their pain points better than anyone else \u2014 you just have to listen to them,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

      This empathy-driven approach ensures that the solutions being built resonate with real needs rather than hypothetical use cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

      User Journey Mapping: A Blueprint For Success<\/b><\/p>\n

      User journey mapping was another crucial theme. By breaking down workflows into multiple timelines for different players, Horace\u2019s team identifies pain points and redesigns the path to success.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \u201cIt\u2019s like a pirate map: you know where the treasure is, but the path to get there might need to change,\u201d Horace explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Building The Right Team<\/b><\/p>\n

      When it comes to execution, having the right team is essential. Horace emphasized three core roles:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Domain Expert.<\/b> Someone who deeply understands the user\u2019s pain points and workflow.<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Tech Builder.<\/b> A skilled developer who can create the solution.<\/span><\/li>\n
      3. Translator.<\/b> A bridge who ensures the two parties communicate effectively and align on goals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \u201cIt\u2019s not an easy role to fill, but it\u2019s essential to make everything work,\u201d Horace noted.<\/span><\/p>\n

        The Role Of Empathy And Collaboration<\/b><\/p>\n

        One of the episode\u2019s standout moments was Horace\u2019s reflection on the importance of empathy:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \u201cBuilding for lawyers \u2014 or any professional \u2014 is like asking a bird how it flies. They know how to do it, but they can\u2019t always explain it. You need empathy to truly understand their needs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

        Final Takeaway: Keep Listening<\/b><\/p>\n

        Horace left us with a simple but powerful piece of advice:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \u201cKeep listening to your customers. They will tell you what they want \u2014 you just have to hear them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

        This ethos underscores the importance of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement in building products that truly make a difference.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

        This conversation with Horace Wu was a roadmap for anyone looking to build impactful legal tech products, especially those powered by generative AI. Whether you\u2019re a vendor, a lawyer, or a curious tech enthusiast, the lessons shared \u2014 on empathy, collaboration, and relentless iteration \u2014 will resonate deeply.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Now, the question is: What will you build next?<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
        \"Olga
        <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        Olga V. Mack\u00a0<\/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:\u00a0<\/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\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>LinkedIn<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and Twitter @olgavmack.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

        The post How To Build Your Own LLM Product In 5 Easy Steps With Horace Wu<\/a> appeared first on Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        (Image via Getty)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        In<\/span> Season 9, Episode 6 of <\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/i>Notes to My (Legal) Self,<\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/i><\/a> I had the privilege of speaking with Horace Wu, founder and CEO of Syntheia, a company revolutionizing contract data analytics and smart drafting for transactional lawyers. Horace shared practical insights into building successful legal tech products, particularly those leveraging large language models (LLMs). This episode was a masterclass in collaborative building, innovation, and how to listen to your users to deliver transformative solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

        Horace\u2019s Journey: From Lawyer To Builder<\/b><\/p>\n

        Horace\u2019s story began at a crossroads: after stepping away from his law firm, he explored new horizons, ultimately discovering the potential of language models back in 2017. His journey has been defined by one driving force: <\/span>creating things of substance for transactional lawyers.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

        \u201cI wanted to create impactful tools, and over time, I realized transactional lawyers were the perfect audience because I understood their challenges deeply,\u201d Horace shared.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Why Build, Buy, Or Blend?<\/b><\/p>\n

        In the age of generative AI, organizations face a familiar question with a new twist: should we build, buy, or blend solutions?<\/span><\/p>\n

        Horace emphasized that the decision depends on <\/span>your pain points and <\/span>desired outcomes. While building MVPs has never been easier \u2014 thanks to tools like LangChain and LamaIndex \u2014 scaling from prototype to production remains a significant hurdle.<\/span><\/p>\n

        \u201cIt\u2019s not the zero-to-one that\u2019s hard; it\u2019s the one-to-one hundred that\u2019s the real challenge,\u201d Horace explained. Often, this is where buying or partnering becomes the smarter choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

        The Art Of Design Partnerships<\/b><\/p>\n

        One of the most valuable insights Horace shared was about design partnerships \u2014 a collaborative approach where vendors and law firms work together to build solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

        To make design partnerships successful, Horace identified three key elements:<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Expertise.<\/b> The law firm must bring deep domain knowledge to identify critical problems.<\/span><\/li>\n
        2. Commitment.<\/b> Building impactful tools requires iterative effort; both parties must be in it for the long haul.<\/span><\/li>\n
        3. Alignment.<\/b> There must be a shared vision and a good working relationship.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          \u201cIt\u2019s like a marriage \u2014 you can\u2019t force it,\u201d Horace joked.<\/span><\/p>\n

          He also addressed a common challenge: convincing partners that the solution built together will eventually serve other clients, including competitors. The key? <\/span>Transparency. The first adopter benefits from a tailored solution, and the shared investment ensures long-term improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n

          Defining Success In Collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Horace acknowledged that defining success in collaborative projects can be tricky. While there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach, he recommended setting <\/span>milestones rather than an unattainable final goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

          \u201cYou\u2019re never done \u2014 it\u2019s about getting to stages where you can deliver value, gather feedback, and iterate,\u201d he explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

          The 5 Easy Steps To Building An LLM Product<\/b><\/p>\n

          Horace outlined five actionable steps for building your own LLM-powered solution:<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Find The Pain Point.<\/b> Identify a specific challenge your users face.<\/span><\/li>\n
          2. Map The User Journey.<\/b> Understand how the problem fits into the broader workflow and where friction occurs.<\/span><\/li>\n
          3. Leverage The Right Technology.<\/b> Assess where LLMs or other tools can genuinely make an impact.<\/span><\/li>\n
          4. Build The Right Team.<\/b> Assemble domain experts, tech builders, and a \u201ctranslator\u201d to bridge the gap between the two.<\/span><\/li>\n
          5. Iterate Relentlessly.<\/b> Launch, gather feedback, and refine continuously.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            These steps highlight the importance of aligning technical capabilities with user needs, fostering collaboration, and maintaining a focus on incremental improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Listening: The Key To Building Solutions That Matter<\/b><\/p>\n

            Horace stressed that listening is the most critical skill when building products for lawyers.<\/span><\/p>\n

            \u201cLawyers know their pain points better than anyone else \u2014 you just have to listen to them,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

            This empathy-driven approach ensures that the solutions being built resonate with real needs rather than hypothetical use cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

            User Journey Mapping: A Blueprint For Success<\/b><\/p>\n

            User journey mapping was another crucial theme. By breaking down workflows into multiple timelines for different players, Horace\u2019s team identifies pain points and redesigns the path to success.<\/span><\/p>\n

            \u201cIt\u2019s like a pirate map: you know where the treasure is, but the path to get there might need to change,\u201d Horace explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Building The Right Team<\/b><\/p>\n

            When it comes to execution, having the right team is essential. Horace emphasized three core roles:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Domain Expert.<\/b> Someone who deeply understands the user\u2019s pain points and workflow.<\/span><\/li>\n
            2. Tech Builder.<\/b> A skilled developer who can create the solution.<\/span><\/li>\n
            3. Translator.<\/b> A bridge who ensures the two parties communicate effectively and align on goals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              \u201cIt\u2019s not an easy role to fill, but it\u2019s essential to make everything work,\u201d Horace noted.<\/span><\/p>\n

              The Role Of Empathy And Collaboration<\/b><\/p>\n

              One of the episode\u2019s standout moments was Horace\u2019s reflection on the importance of empathy:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \u201cBuilding for lawyers \u2014 or any professional \u2014 is like asking a bird how it flies. They know how to do it, but they can\u2019t always explain it. You need empathy to truly understand their needs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

              Final Takeaway: Keep Listening<\/b><\/p>\n

              Horace left us with a simple but powerful piece of advice:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \u201cKeep listening to your customers. They will tell you what they want \u2014 you just have to hear them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

              This ethos underscores the importance of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement in building products that truly make a difference.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

              This conversation with Horace Wu was a roadmap for anyone looking to build impactful legal tech products, especially those powered by generative AI. Whether you\u2019re a vendor, a lawyer, or a curious tech enthusiast, the lessons shared \u2014 on empathy, collaboration, and relentless iteration \u2014 will resonate deeply.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Now, the question is: What will you build next?<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
              \"Olga
              <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

              Olga V. Mack\u00a0<\/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:\u00a0<\/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\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>LinkedIn<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and Twitter @olgavmack.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

              The post How To Build Your Own LLM Product In 5 Easy Steps With Horace Wu<\/a> appeared first on Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              (Image via Getty) In Season 9, Episode 6 of \u201cNotes to My (Legal) Self,\u201c I had the privilege of speaking with Horace Wu, founder and CEO of Syntheia, a company revolutionizing contract data analytics and smart drafting for transactional lawyers. Horace shared practical insights into building successful legal tech products, particularly those leveraging large language […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":118791,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-118847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above_the_law"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/xira.com\/p\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Olga-Mack-150x150-GUkPZv.jpeg?fit=150%2C150&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118847\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/118791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}