“That was a lot,” someone remarked as we exited the Hynes Convention Center's main stage, alongside 2,700 other attendees. This comment perfectly summed up Jack Newton's ambitious keynote at the 13th annual ClioCon. Newton, sporting his signature blazer-on-t-shirt ensemble, delivered a powerful vision of Clio’s future, which now involves becoming an 'everything' platform for legal professionals.

Clio, traditionally known for its small law firm practice management tools, is no longer content playing in just one part of the legal tech field. Newton’s presentation revealed plans for an expansive suite of services that covers everything from legal research and AI to customer relationship management. This strategic expansion means Clio is set to compete with major players like Thomson Reuters and even tech giants such as Harvey.

Newton explained the necessity of this evolution in legal tech, emphasizing that the future demands a more integrated and comprehensive approach. “Legal tech doesn’t have a history of anyone being all things to all people,” Newton stated, but he believes that Clio can change that narrative by breaking down the silos between different facets of legal work.

The integration of vLex’s legal research capabilities and Vincent AI into the Clio platform is a cornerstone of this new direction. Dubbed 'Clio Work', this initiative promises a seamless, AI-powered workspace that combines case management, workflow execution, and an extensive legal research library all in one system. This approach not only enhances productivity but also leverages the context of legal data to provide smarter, more connected legal services.

The expansion isn’t just horizontal but also vertical, with Clio making significant inroads into Biglaw. The acquisition of ShareDo, now rebranded as Clio Operate, provides an operational framework designed for managing large numbers of attorneys more efficiently. The upcoming integration of vLex and its Vincent AI will further solidify Clio’s offerings, making it a formidable presence in the Biglaw market.

Despite the focus on large firms, Newton assured that small law practices remain a priority and wouldn’t suffer from a lack of resources. He argued that innovations driven by the demands of larger firms would trickle down and improve services for smaller practices as well.

Clio's transformation from a niche market player in a Chicago hotel basement to a potential industry leader on the main stage at ClioCon speaks volumes about its growth and ambition. Newton’s vision for Clio as an all-encompassing legal tech platform is bold and unprecedented in the industry. As the attendees dispersed, the chatter was a mix of awe and anticipation, mirroring the sentiment that Clio might just redefine what legal tech can achieve.