Author archives

Jerry Lawson. President, Chief Consultant, New Strategies In Legal Technology LLC. Jerry Lawson brings fresh approaches to the legal technology space. He is currently emphasizing his work in knowledge management for Lawyers. He is completing the manuscript for his next book, Knowledge Management for Law Firms: Building A Culture of Success.

AI in Discovery: Some Tools Are Ready. Others Are Not.

Generative AI is coming for legal work, whether lawyers like it or not, and much of what it brings will be genuinely useful. Discovery, though, is a different conversation. Jerry Lawson discuses why technology-assisted review (TAR), the old, reliable workhorse, should remain a critical component of your organizations’ privileged document access management.

Subjects: AI, Courts & Technology, Information Management, KM, Legal Research, Legal Technology

Don’t Build Your House on Rented Land: Why Writers Should Avoid Platform Dependency and How They Can Do So

Over the past several years, platforms such as Substack have become increasingly attractive to writers seeking to establish themselves as an independent voice. The appeal is obvious. They are easy to use and can turn a writer into a publisher overnight. No web developer is required. Payment systems are integrated, and distribution is built in. Substack markets itself as a refuge for writers who prefer autonomy to corporate hierarchy. There are good reasons to use Substack and similar businesses, but there are also risks. These platforms are not inherently malign, but they are fragile. This article by Jerry Lawson will focus on Substack, the currently trendy platform, but the key ideas apply to many other platforms.

Subjects: Communications, KM, Legal Research, Social Media, Technology Trends

Reducing The Threat Of Drive-By Downloads

When people think about malware, they often imagine someone clicking a suspicious attachment or downloading a shady file. In reality, Jerry Lawson describes how one of the most dangerous forms of infection requires no obvious mistake at all. It’s called a drive-by download, and it remains a quiet but serious threat.

Subjects: Computer Security, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Email Security, Government Resources, Search Engines, Technology Trends

Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet: The Best Tips for Lawyers on AI, Marketing, IT Security and Productivity

Jerry Lawson advocates consulting more than one AI app when dealing with important issues. Multiple AI perspectives help with high-stakes questions, unsettled law, or anything involving tax regulations. When two models agree, you gain confidence. When they disagree, you gain a warning sign. Lawson also addresses cybersecurity issues, technology risks, legal marketing, and choosing the best hardware and software for your work configuration.

Subjects: AI, Cybercrime, Gadgets/Gizmos, KM, Law Firm Marketing, LEXIS, Privacy, Social Media, Westlaw

The Imminent AI Bubble Crash (and Why It Won’t Matter in the Long Run)

This article examines why today’s AI boom resembles the dot-com bubble—soaring valuations, unprofitable companies, copy-cat entrants, and heavy speculation driven in part by infrastructure providers themselves. Drawing parallels from 1999 to now, Jerry Lawson argues that although an AI correction is inevitable, it won’t derail the long-term transformation AI will bring. The bubble will burst—but the technology will endure, and the real winners will emerge in the next wave.

Subjects: AI, Economy, Financial System, KM, Legal Profession, Legal Technology

Case Closed: Why Every Lawyer Needs to Be Listening to Podcasts

Jerry Lawson explains why podcasts belong in every lawyer’s toolkit. Lawson states that podcasts have not only helped him professionally but also added some joy to his life. They offer a rare opportunity for busy lawyers the chance to learn and grow even while doing routine tasks. It’s learning that fits into your life, not the other way around. Lawson recommends number of legal centric as well as general interest podcasts.

Subjects: Communications, Legal Marketing, Legal Profession, Presentation Skills

1500 Years Versus 4 Hours: The AlphaZero Project and What It Means for Artificial Intelligence

Jerry Lawson, a master of both IT matters as well as chess, addresses the question – will computers ever achieve the holy grail of artificial general intelligence (AGI)—an intelligence that matches or surpasses human abilities across virtually all cognitive tasks? Experts disagree not only on the feasibility but also on the desirability of such an outcome. Optimists envision an era of abundance. Pessimists fear an existential threat.

Subjects: AI, KM, Legal Technology, Search Engines