Fresh from London’s landmark Legal Geek conference this week, legal tech expert Jon Bartman joined us to share insights and reflections on one of the year’s most dynamic events. With over 4,000 attendees and an agenda dominated by artificial intelligence, Bartman described the experience as “manic but energising,” illustrating both the pace and the promise of change sweeping through the profession.
Bartman has spent the past seven years immersed in legal technology—a tenure that, he joked, “feels like decades in legal tech terms.” His firm helps law firms and in-house teams navigate the increasingly complex market of AI-driven solutions, providing introductions and insights without the pressure of sales. “Our mission,” he explained, “is to expand the legal tech universe and give innovative solutions a fair share of voice.”
AI Saturation
Reflecting on this year’s Legal Geek, Bartman observed that approximately 80% of sessions featured AI as a central topic. “It’s nuts,” he said, noting how artificial intelligence now underpins nearly every conversation in the legal sector. Yet, he also recognised that such rapid growth brings mounting pressures. Law firms, especially large ones, are inundated with hundreds of weekly emails from vendors vying for attention.
The challenge, Bartman noted, is scale. “It’s not the world’s biggest industry,” he said. “If you take away the small firms, there’s a limited universe of potential clients.” Even the most successful AI providers—such as Harvey and Legora face the question of sustainability. With valuations in the billions, he argued, “they’ll eventually have to look beyond law to justify those figures.” The legal vertical alone, he suggested, may not provide enough growth to satisfy investors.
Beyond the All-in-One Myth
One of Bartman’s key takeaways from the conference was a notable shift away from the “one-size-fits-all” AI narrative. While all-encompassing platforms like Harvey and Legora continue to dominate headlines, many discussions focused on point solutions—tools designed to solve specific problems rather than replicate entire workflows.
“A point solution,” he explained, “is about targeting one particular task and making it radically better—whether that’s due diligence, contract drafting, or litigation support.” He highlighted emerging players such as Marve and DraftWise, both of which impressed attendees by applying machine learning and generative AI in focused, practical ways. “The industry’s maturing,” Bartman said. “Generative AI isn’t a silver bullet. It’s about finding the right fit for the right task.”
Practicality Over Hype
Cost, Bartman suggested, is also driving the move toward specialisation. “These tools aren’t cheap,” he cautioned. “So firms are becoming more discerning—testing products, seeing what fits, and rejecting what doesn’t.” Different firms work differently, he added, meaning there’s no universal “best” tool. What works for one global firm might not suit another. He compared the AI landscape to a buffet: “Everyone’s full of options, but you can’t eat everything at once.” Successful firms are those that experiment carefully, pilot solutions, and learn quickly which tools deliver measurable improvements.
Legal Geek’s Evolution
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this year’s Legal Geek felt refreshed and more interactive. “They changed the format,” Bartman noted. “More workshops, more breakout areas, and even headphone stages like the ‘Vinyl Stage’—you’re right in the middle of the crowd, listening live.” With ticket prices reaching £1,500 and major sponsors such as Thomson Reuters investing heavily, the event demonstrated how much the market has matured. “You can’t avoid the vendor hall,” Bartman laughed. “It’s where all the action happens.” But beyond the stands, the event’s essence remained networking and community. “That’s the real value,” he said. “The chance to meet, debate, and share ideas.”
Emerging Trends and Global Parallels
Bartman also reflected on the broader legal tech ecosystem. In the UK, Legal Geek and Legal Tech Talk are now must-attend events, while in the US, CLOC, ILTACON, and Legal Week New York remain critical for international engagement. He also highlighted newer gatherings like the Global LegalTech Hub Day in Madrid, which are bringing diverse audiences and perspectives to the conversation.
When asked about the fastest-growing segments, Bartman pointed to litigation technology. Long overshadowed by e-discovery, litigation tools are now evolving to support analysis, strategy, and argumentation. “Litigation is the lifeblood of so many firms,” he said. “We’re starting to see smarter tools that focus on key universal processes rather than trying to do everything.”
AI, Recruitment, and the Next Generation
A highlight of the discussion came when Bartman referenced Stephen Fry’s Legal Geek keynote, comparing the rise of AI to the industrial revolution: manual labourers who once dug canals by hand were replaced by machines, not because they were inferior, but because progress made their labour obsolete. “It’s the same with AI,” Bartman said. “We’re not losing value—we’re shifting it.”
He noted that younger lawyers increasingly demand to work with modern tools. “No one goes to law school to spend days searching through documents for the word ‘John’,” he remarked. Firms that fail to integrate AI risk not only inefficiency but also talent loss. “The next generation won’t accept outdated practices,” he warned. “The juniors learning prompt engineering today are the partners of tomorrow.”
Culture, Leadership, and the Human Element
Bartman acknowledged that cultural barriers persist. Senior partners—often those least familiar with technology—control the budgets that determine innovation. “Every pound spent on tech comes out of a partner’s pocket,” he observed. “That makes the business case harder.” Yet, with clients increasingly adopting AI themselves, firms that hesitate risk falling behind.
“The firms doing this best,” he concluded, “are those embracing transparency, experimenting with new tools, and understanding that evolution isn’t optional—it’s strategic.”
