Last year at ILTACON, a revelation came from Thomson Reuters CEO Steve Hasker about a strategic acquisition aimed at building a smaller, more manageable legal AI model. This move was distinct from the usual industry buzz about partnerships with AI giants like OpenAI or Anthropic. Hasker's vision was clear: ensure independence and resilience in the AI-driven tools essential for the legal sector.

The acquisition resulted in the development of "Thomson 1.0," crafted by a team of elite scientists. This platform, combined with a complete overhaul of the CoCounsel system, has now been integrated across the extensive network of Greenberg Traurig offices. With over 3,000 attorneys globally, the firm's diverse practice environments make it an ideal testing ground for this innovative technology.

This year's ILTACON highlighted the thematic shift in legal tech towards more adaptive and inclusive tools. Thomson Reuters is capitalizing on its deep understanding of legal workflows by providing platforms that meet lawyers in their diverse contexts, supporting them with tools that enhance productivity without monopolizing their interface.

The newly enhanced CoCounsel Legal system is a testament to what many felt was missing in the AI narrative: a genuine partnership between machine intelligence and human expertise. Unlike previous models where AI seemed to sideline the human element, CoCounsel Legal fosters an environment where attorneys are encouraged to engage actively with the AI throughout the decision-making process.

Matthew Beekhuizen of Greenberg Traurig emphasized that the interface of CoCounsel Legal is "psychologically inviting" for lawyers, promoting regular interaction rather than relegating human input to the final stages of work. This approach not only enhances the quality of legal drafting—reducing the time taken for briefs from 30 hours to just two or three—but also maintains the critical human touch needed for nuanced legal work.

As the legal industry evolves, Thomson Reuters and Greenberg Traurig are setting new standards for what AI can achieve when developed in tandem with those who use it daily. This partnership not only addresses the practical needs of today's lawyers but also anticipates shifts in billing and operational models that could redefine professional legal services in the future.