In Episode 27, hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack kick off a new chapter with a fresh name — AI and the Future of Law — and a new presenting partnership with the Practising Law Institute (PLI), in collaboration with the American Arbitration Association. The rebrand reflects their evolving mission while keeping the heart of the podcast intact: accessible, thought-provoking insights on how AI is reshaping the legal profession.

Listeners can expect the same candid co-host dialogue, plus a broader range of formats, including expert interviews. In this bite-sized bonus episode, Jen and Bridget celebrate the new launch and share personal “AI Aha!” moments — from ChatGPT-powered tick identification in Michigan to motivational coaching for long-distance runs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean when AI outperforms law students? In this episode, Jen and Bridget explore a groundbreaking study showing that OpenAI’s latest model, O3, earned A+ grades on actual law school finals — outperforming top students in multiple subjects. But that’s just one part of the story.

Episode Highlights

(3:02) Bridget’s latest “AI Aha!” — using ChatGPT to design and facilitate a 300-person workshop in under 60 minutes

(7:13) Jen’s latest “AI Aha!” — leveraging Deep Research to uncover funding leads and pitch differentiators for a nonprofit project

(11:53) Meta’s $14.8 billion investment in Scale AI and the race for superintelligence

(18:22) OpenAI’s new integrations with Gmail, Slack, and Asana — and what that means for legal workflows and privacy

(23:02) A new study shows ChatGPT earning A+ grades on law school finals — prompting urgent questions about legal education, assessment, and what skills truly matter

Key Questions We Explore:

- Are traditional law exams still relevant?

- How should law schools and employers adapt?

- What new skills matter most in an AI-enabled legal future?

#ChatGPT #LegalTech #FutureOfLaw #AIinEducation #OpenAI #MetaAI #LegalInnovation #2030VisionPodcast

AI and the Future of Law is your essential podcast for understanding how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the legal industry. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, each episode delves into cutting-edge technologies, trends, and strategies, providing invaluable insights for legal professionals, tech enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the future of law. Join us as we navigate the evolving landscape of AI, empowering the legal community to thrive in an era of unprecedented innovation.

Produced by Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Highlights

(03:27) Bridget’s AI Aha: Building “Bridget’s Second Brain” using ChatGPT and Microsoft tools

(11:05) Jen’s AI Aha: AI itineraries, sci-fi style research, and nail polish via ChatGPT

(17:30) What Just Happened: The firehose of announcements from Google I/O

(24:28) Claude Opus 4 and the “grown, not built” philosophy at Anthropic

(37:59) Microsoft’s AI plumbing: Connecting court systems and scaling impact

(41:08) OpenAI & Jony Ive: Rethinking hardware for a world beyond screens

Episode Description

Is it possible to keep up with AI when the pace of innovation feels like a firehose? Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack recap an extraordinary week of AI announcements from Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic—and explain why every lawyer should be paying attention. From Claude Opus 4’s “grown, not built” philosophy to Sam Altman’s $6.5B play to redesign hardware with Jony Ive, the future of AI is arriving fast—and it's already changing how legal professionals work.

Bridget shares how ChatGPT helped her build a personal “Second Brain” for organizing professional chaos, while Jen experiments with AI trip planning, voice-mode research, and on-the-go translation. They also dive into the generational shift in how engineers and researchers think about innovation—“We’ll solve for that”—and why the legal world needs to adopt that mindset.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to explore AI tools, this is your wake-up call. Because the most important takeaway from this episode? You’re not too late. But you don’t want to fall further behind.

Key Takeaways

• Google isn’t just adding AI—they’re rebuilding their entire ecosystem around it. With Gemini integrated into search, docs, and even hardware, the tools lawyers already use are becoming AI-native by default.
• Claude Opus 4 Isn’t Just Smart—It’s Reflective: With its “grown, not built” mindset, Claude challenges how we understand AI. It’s not about perfect outputs—it’s about persistent, deep reasoning over time, something law needs but rarely builds for.
• Microsoft’s AI Infrastructure Fix: Microsoft’s announcements focused on data plumbing—connecting siloed systems in courts and governments. It may not be sexy, but it’s foundational for real change in justice delivery.
• OpenAI + Jony Ive = No More Screens?: With a $6.5B move to reimagine AI hardware, OpenAI is chasing the next interface revolution—wearables, voice-first tools, and frictionless access to intelligence, far beyond the browser.
• We’ll Solve for That” Is the Mindset Law Needs: Engineers assume problems are solvable. Lawyers assume problems are risks. That cultural mismatch is why the legal field lags in AI adoption—and what needs to change first.
• It’s Not Too Late. Catch Up Fast: The AI tools are here, and most people haven’t used them. Starting today puts you just weeks behind the front of the pack—not years. There’s still time to lead, not lag.

Keywords

AI in law, OpenAI, Anthropic, Claude Opus 4, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, Jony Ive, ChatGPT voice mode, legal innovation, legal tech, AI, court system integration, AI safety, AGI, future of work, AI strategy, innovation mindset

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential podcast for understanding how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the legal industry. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, each episode delves into cutting-edge technologies, trends, and strategies, providing invaluable insights for legal professionals, tech enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the future of law. Join us as we navigate the evolving landscape of AI, empowering the legal community to thrive in an era of unprecedented innovation.

Produced by Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 2030 Vision, Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack explore OpenAI’s surprising executive reshuffle, Google's declining grip on search to the UK’s official authorization of Garfield Law, the first an AI-native law firm.

Jen and Bridget analyze the implications of Garfield AI's regulatory approval, the practical limits of paraprofessional models in the U.S., and how agile regulation could unlock innovation while maintaining public trust. They also examine the concept of Jae Um’s "Bionic Boutiques", law firms that blend elite legal expertise with AI-powered agents and debate how this model could redefine leverage, value, and access to justice.

They share personal insights on using AI to evaluate website quality and prepare for a live television interview, while reflecting on broader shifts in legal education, practice, and client service as the profession adapts to a world rapidly approaching AGI.

Episode Highlights:

(2:54) Bridget’s AI Aha! From foraging on the Appalachian Trail to prepping for live TV, Bridget shares how AI helped identify mushrooms and simulate interview feedback.

(4:48) Jen’s AI Aha! Jen runs her website through Ogilvy’s marketing taxonomy—then gets ChatGPT to tailor it for legal audiences. Game-changer for law firm sites.

(7:03) What Just Happened at OpenAI OpenAI appoints a second CEO. Are they splitting responsibilities ahead of AGI? And what does it mean for the future of applications?

(12:38) Google’s Antitrust Trial & Search Decline Apple execs reveal Google Search usage is dropping—for the first time in 20 years. Is AI replacing traditional search?

(15:58) Garfield AI: UK’s First AI-Only Law Firm Meet Garfield Law: approved by UK regulators to deliver legal services entirely through AI. What does this mean for U.S. regulation?

(29:58) Bionic Boutiques & the Future of Legal Practice Jae Um’s bold predictions: $10K/hour partners, AI agents doing associate work, and billion-dollar firms with zero overhead. Are bionic boutiques the next big shift?

Key Discussion Points:

• OpenAI's structural shakeup and the race toward AGI
• Google’s search engine under threat from AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity
• Regulatory differences between the U.S. and UK on legal AI tools
• Garfield Law: The first AI-native law firm approved to practice
• The future of legal service delivery: Bionic boutiques and paraprofessionals
• What legal education and junior roles might look like in an AI world

Keywords: AI in law, Garfield Law, OpenAI, AGI, regulation, bionic boutiques, legal tech, legal education, Google vs ChatGPT, access to justice, future of work

About the Podcast: 2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard explore a mind-bending new study where AI bots outperformed humans in changing people’s minds on Reddit — by a long shot. What does this mean for the legal profession, where persuasion is core to the craft?

From evaluating reasoning-first models like OpenAI’s new o3 and Google’s Gemini 2.5, to watching AI walk through logic, fix math errors, and even critique your work with a little snark, Bridget and Jen break down the rapid advancements redefining competence and advocacy in real time.

They also share how memory-enabled AI is reshaping their workflows, the rise of “AI bias” in AI-generated summaries, and the deep implications for lawyers, clients, and law students alike. If AI can generate more persuasive legal arguments — what’s left for us? And how should law schools adapt?

3:54 - AI Aha! Moment: AI Spots Your Blind Spots and Helps You Improve

14:52 What Just Happened: Are We Already Living with AGI (Artificial General Intelligence)?

25:55 -Why AI Wins More Arguments Than Lawyers

• What the Reddit persuasion study reveals about AI’s rhetorical superpowers.
• How AI memory and voice interfaces are transforming legal workflows and personal insight.
• Why lawyers should expect clients, co-counsel, and judges to already be using AI.
• The double-edged sword of AI hallucinations in reasoning models — and how to prompt around them.
• Real-world use cases for AI-enhanced persuasive strategies in law.
• The future of legal education: How schools might teach persuasion differently in an AI-first world.
• Why lawyers may soon be responding to AI critiques of their own work product.

AI persuasion, legal tech, reasoning models, ChatGPT memory, AGI, OpenAI o3, Gemini 2.5, Change My View study, AI hallucinations, legal argumentation, law school innovation, client communication, negotiation, voice mode AI, ElevenLabs, HeyGen, RAG, future of lawyering, professional skills, Reddit bots, rhetorical strategy, legal ethics

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it possible that not using AI could soon be seen as unethical for lawyers? Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard dive into two recent Georgia cases where savvy use of AI helped lawyers win major verdicts and why these examples could signal a turning point in professional responsibility.

Along the way, Bridget shares her AI "aha" moment with ChatGPT acting as a woods guide (and porcupine expert), while Jen explores how AI’s voice mode turbocharged her workflow. They also unpack the provocative AI 2027 Report, which predicts a near-future explosion of superintelligent AI and its impact on law, society, and ethics.

From personal injury trials to global AI arms races, this episode challenges listeners to reimagine what “competence” looks like in a rapidly evolving profession and why AI isn’t just a tool, but a future teammate you can’t afford to ignore.

Episode Highlights:

• (02:54) Bridget’s AI Aha: Using ChatGPT as a nature guide and getting schooled on porcupines
• (05:49) Jen’s AI Aha: Voice-mode website editing and using ElevenLabs for hands-free learning
• (9:50) What Just Happened: Exploring the AI 2027 Report and the path to superintelligence
• (19:16) Lawyers, Ethics, and AI: Two Georgia cases show why ethical duties may be shifting
• (23:45) Rethinking Client Advocacy: Why using AI could become a new professional mandate

Key Discussion Points:

• How AI is changing everyday problem-solving and new ways AI assistants boost productivity and creativity in professional work.
• The AI 2027 Forecast: Why researchers believe super intelligent AI could arrive by 2027—and what that means for law and society.
• Two medical malpractice cases illustrate how AI-assisted research and storytelling can transform trial outcomes.
• Why integrating AI thoughtfully may soon be required for ethical, client-centered lawyering.
• What rising anxiety around AI means for lawyers and their clients.
• How AI levels the playing field for plaintiffs’ lawyers, solo practitioners, and small firms.

Keywords:

AI and law, legal ethics, AI 2027 report, superintelligence, legal tech, ChatGPT, ElevenLabs, legal innovation, plaintiff lawyering, change management, client-centered lawyering, trial strategy, research automation, professional responsibility, future of work, AI acceleration

About the Podcast:

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when AI performs on par with lawyers—and even beats them at key tasks? Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard explore the implications of the VAL benchmarking report, which compares top legal AI tools to real-life attorneys on real-world tasks. They also break down new research from Wharton’s Ethan Mollick on “cybernetic teammates”—and what it means when AI tools boost not just productivity, but morale. With insights on team design, junior lawyer development, change management, and the emotional impact of AI at work, this episode challenges legal leaders to think beyond tools—and toward transformation.

Episode Highlights:

• (02:16) Bridget’s AI Aha: Convincing a law professor of AI’s potential—live with DeepResearch
• (5:40) Claude meets city government: AI as a behind-the-scenes comms partner
• (11:39) What is a “cybernetic teammate”—and how can AI reshape teamwork?
• (24:57) The VAL benchmarking report: Legal AI tools vs. human lawyers
• (31:34) What AI means for the future of junior lawyers, specialties, and practice area silos

Key Discussion Points:

• The DeepResearch Reveal: Why watching AI in action can convert even the most skeptical lawyers.
• The Cybernetic Teammate: Insights from Ethan Mollick's latest study on AI’s role in boosting performance, knowledge sharing, and emotional engagement.
• Lawyers vs. AI: What VAL’s benchmarking report reveals about AI performance on real legal tasks—and what it doesn’t.
• Beyond Specialization: How AI could break down practice-area silos and return power to the generalist.
• Rethinking Legal Teams: Why junior lawyers might soon work across disciplines—and with AI—as their first teammates.
• Emotions and Engagement: Surprising findings about AI’s impact on how legal professionals feel about their work.
• Training the Next Generation: How legal education and professional development must evolve for the AI era.

Keywords: AI in law, cybernetic teammate, Ethan Mollick, VAL benchmarking, legal education, legal AI tools, legal tech, DeepResearch, team collaboration, Wharton, ChatGPT, Claude, GPT-4, legal transformation, generalist lawyering, emotional engagement, junior lawyers, change management, professional development

About the Podcast:

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Legal Week edition of 2030 Vision, co-hosts Jen Leonard and Bridget McCormack reunite in person to unveil a groundbreaking new online course built to help legal professionals lead through AI-driven change. Designed for law firm leaders, individual lawyers, and legal organizations of all sizes, the course offers actionable frameworks for navigating disruption with confidence and clarity.

Jen and Bridget share behind-the-scenes insights into how the course was created, what makes it different from others on the market, and why mindset—not tools—is the most powerful driver of innovation. From solo practitioners to law students, this course empowers learners to become proactive change agents in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. They also explore what it means to build a culture of curiosity, how to move beyond “innovation by press release,” and why learner-centric legal education is the key to staying competitive. With reflections on the future of law, leadership, and scalable education, this episode offers both practical takeaways and big-picture vision.

Explore the new AI course for legal professionals: https://aaaicourse.org/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=2030vision&utm_campaign=ep20launch

Built for law firm leaders, lawyers, and legal professionals ready to lead through AI-driven change.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Future of Legal Education: Why traditional models no longer meet the moment—and how this new AI course helps close the gap.
• Tools vs. Thinking: The critical difference between using AI and adopting an AI-ready mindset.
• Leadership in Disruption: Why AI change management is more about people and mindset than the technology itself.
• Culture Shift in Law: How fostering curiosity, experimentation, and friendly competition can drive innovation across firms.
• Scaling Innovation: Lessons in learner-centric design and the power of democratizing legal knowledge at scale.
• Inside a Legal Transformation: What the American Arbitration Association’s journey teaches us about overcoming barriers to change.
• Top Skills for the AI Era: The five rising skills legal professionals need—and how firms can help develop them.
• Signals for Future Talent: Why certifications, AI badges, and firm-wide learning are becoming key to attracting the next generation of lawyers.
• Beyond the Course: How partnerships like PLI amplify reach—and what’s coming next for legal education and access to justice.

Keywords:

AI in law, legal education, change management, legal leadership, AI course for lawyers, innovation, legal tech, professional development, culture of curiosity, Legal Week, PLI, ChatGPT, Claude, online learning, AI, law, legal technology, online course, change management, future of law, AAA

About the Podcast:

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 2030 Vision, Jennifer Leonard and Bridget McCormack dive into the evolving landscape of AI in the legal profession. They share personal experiences with AI tools, discuss the latest advancements in AI models, and explore the implications of artificial general intelligence (AGI). The conversation touches on the future of legal education, the skills that will define the next generation of lawyers, and why leadership and transparency will be critical in shaping the profession.

Key Discussion Points:

1. How AI is reshaping legal work and the skills needed for success
2. The real-world benefits of AI tools, as experienced by legal professionals
3. Major advancements in AI, including the latest model releases
4. The approach of legal education in adapting to AI-driven changes
5. The impact of AGI on law and society at large
6. The role of leadership in promoting transparency and innovation in law firms
7. How law firms and legal institutions can proactively embrace technology
8. The necessity of strong interpersonal and ethical reasoning skills in future lawyers

Keywords:

AI, law, future of law, legal education, AGI, technology, legal profession, skills, leadership, transparency

About the Podcast:

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law, Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard break down two major AI stories shaking up the legal industry: Elon Musk’s unsolicited $97.4 billion bid to buy OpenAI and the landmark Thomson Reuters v. Ross AI case, which sets a critical precedent for AI training data and copyright law.

They also explore OpenAI’s new Deep Research tool, which is revolutionizing how legal professionals conduct research. As AI-powered tools become increasingly sophisticated, law firms face urgent questions: How will AI impact legal research? Will legal paywalls survive? And is the legal industry moving too slowly to adapt?

From the growing market for AI training data licensing to AI’s potential role in democratizing legal services, this episode examines how the future of law is being rewritten in real time.

Key Discussion Points:

1. AI Aha! Moment: Why even the free version of AI tools is disrupting legal research.
2. Elon Musk vs. OpenAI: A $97B bid, a legal battle, and what’s really at stake.
3. Thomson Reuters v. Ross AI: The case that could shape AI copyright law for decades.
4. AI Training Data & Copyright: Can AI companies train on proprietary legal headnotes?
5. Legal Paywalls & AI Research: Will legal information stay locked, or is a shift coming?
6. Deep Research & the Future of Legal Tech: How OpenAI’s new tool is changing research and strategy.
7. The Divide in Legal AI Adoption: Why some law firms are embracing AI while others hesitate.
8. The Bigger Picture: What this means for legal education, innovation, and access to justice.

Keywords:

AI, Law, Legal Tech, Generative AI, AI Research, Legal Innovation, OpenAI, Elon Musk, Thomson Reuters v. Ross AI, Copyright Law, AI Training Data, Deep Research, Legal Access, Future of Work, AI in Law

About the Podcast:

2030 Vision: AI and the Future of Law is your essential guide to how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession. Hosted by Bridget McCormack and Jen Leonard, this podcast dives into cutting-edge AI technologies, their applications, and the trends shaping the future of law. Join us to stay informed, inspired, and prepared for the AI revolution.

Produced by: Aaron Tran for the American Arbitration Association.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.