Future Law Bootcamp with Joe Borstein and Guest John Scrudato, Legal Technologist

In this Future Law Bootcamp episode, Joe Borstein, Baretz+Brunelle partner and LexFusion co-founder, hosts John Scradato, a legal technologist with a unique background in engineering, law, and business. The discussion centers on the transformative impact of technology, globalization, regulation, and investment on the $800 billion legal industry. They explore how legal tech innovations are disrupting traditional law practice, driving down costs, and enabling new business models.

The conversation highlights the growing collaboration between legal professionals worldwide, the rise of AI-powered tools, and the increasing influx of venture capital into legal technology startups, some of which have recently reached unicorn status. John explains key AI concepts—expert systems, machine learning, and natural language processing—and emphasizes the importance of interoperability and open APIs in legal tech solutions.

The overall tone is optimistic about the future, underscoring that while disruption is inevitable, the legal industry’s “pie” is growing, offering ample opportunities for lawyers, technologists, and investors alike.

Conversation insights include:

• Global Collaboration Is Reshaping Legal Practice: Technology and globalization now enable seamless cross-border legal work, breaking traditional barriers and driving efficiency and innovation.

• AI Is Multifaceted and Transformative: AI in legal spans expert systems, machine learning, and NLP—together enabling faster, smarter legal analysis and decision-making.

• Interoperability and Open APIs Enable Scalable Innovation: With a growing number of point solutions, open APIs are essential for connecting tools and customizing workflows across diverse legal teams.

• Investment Signals Legal Tech Market Maturity: The rise of multiple legal tech unicorns reflects investor confidence, maturing technology, and growing client demand for efficiency.

• Regulation Shapes Innovation Models: U.S. restrictions on non-lawyer ownership limit legal tech integration, unlike the UK’s flexible model that encourages new business structures.

• Open Data Like Atticus Accelerates AI Progress: Projects like Atticus reduce the cost of training legal AI by providing free, labeled contract data—fueling faster, collaborative development.

• Disruption and Growth Can Coexist: Legal tech is expanding the market—not replacing it. Lawyers who adopt innovation can thrive by focusing on complex, high-value work.

Scrudato concludes with a core message: Those who embrace technology now will be better positioned to deliver legal services at scale and shape the next era of the profession.

Tune in to their conversation on YouTube.