{"id":120546,"date":"2025-05-27T16:03:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T00:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/05\/27\/mind-the-skills-gap-ai-and-legal-education-with-sam-moore\/"},"modified":"2025-05-27T16:03:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T00:03:14","slug":"mind-the-skills-gap-ai-and-legal-education-with-sam-moore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/05\/27\/mind-the-skills-gap-ai-and-legal-education-with-sam-moore\/","title":{"rendered":"Mind The (Skills) Gap: AI And Legal Education With Sam Moore"},"content":{"rendered":"

In<\/span> Season 9, Episode 3 of <\/span>Notes to My (Legal) Self<\/span><\/i><\/a>, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sam Moore, Senior Director of Innovation at SkillBurst Interactive (acquired by <\/span>BARBRI)<\/span>. Sam\u2019s mission is clear: to help attorneys bridge the gap between technology and practice. In this episode, we explored the skills lawyers need to embrace the AI revolution and the evolving landscape of legal tech education.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Why Lawyers Struggle with Tech Adoption<\/b><\/h3>\n

Sam shared a relatable story about his days as a \u201cfloor walker\u201d in law firms, helping lawyers navigate unfamiliar technology. The root issue? Lawyers are often asked to use tools they had no role in designing, leading to friction and resentment. The resistance stems not from laziness but from a lack of agency and understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople aren\u2019t doing anything wrong,\u201d Sam emphasized. \u201cThey just could be doing some things better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This insight highlights the importance of empathy in introducing new tools. Lawyers need clear reasons for change\u2014reasons that connect to their personal success and comfort, not just abstract benefits for clients or firms.<\/span><\/p>\n

AI: Different From Other Legal Tech<\/b><\/h3>\n

Generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT are reshaping the way lawyers think about technology. Sam identified three reasons why GenAI stands out:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Enthusiasm:<\/b> Unlike previous tech rollouts (e.g., e-signature solutions), AI excites people. It\u2019s a topic they discuss outside of work, reflecting its pervasive appeal.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Invasiveness:<\/b> GenAI isn\u2019t a standalone tool; it integrates into daily workflows, popping up in Microsoft Office, Slack, and other platforms. This omnipresence demands attention.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Data Accessibility:<\/b> AI gives lawyers new ways to query and analyze data, transforming raw information into actionable insights without requiring deep technical expertise.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Sam\u2019s key advice: Firms should embrace this enthusiasm while addressing nervousness with clear guidelines and safe experimentation.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Adoption Challenges: Losing Control and Gaining Insight<\/b><\/h3>\n

    The invasive nature of GenAI can leave lawyers feeling out of control. Features like auto-summarization in Microsoft Teams or transcription in Zoom may appear without warning, creating uncertainty.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Sam compared it to driving a car where new buttons mysteriously appear on the dashboard: \u201cAm I supposed to push that? What does it do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    To mitigate this, Sam stressed the importance of education. Lawyers need to understand GenAI\u2019s strengths and limitations\u2014such as its occasional struggles with dates or deadlines\u2014so they can use it confidently and responsibly.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Data as an Untapped Opportunity<\/b><\/h3>\n

    One of the most exciting applications of GenAI is its ability to unlock the value of private legal data. Sam shared a personal anecdote about spending a day and a half manually identifying contracts affected by the collapse of a major UK contractor. Today, GenAI could complete that task in minutes, summarizing relevant files and allowing lawyers to focus on high-value analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n

    For legal practitioners, this means they can:<\/span><\/p>\n