Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse

Reddit has filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI and three other entities, alleging they engaged in "industrial-scale, unlawful" scraping of user comments for commercial purposes. The lawsuit, lodged in a New York federal court, targets Perplexity, a competitor in the AI chatbot space, along with Oxylabs UAB, AWMProxy, and SerpApi. Reddit's chief legal officer, Ben Lee, said: “Scrapers bypass technological protections to steal data, then sell it to clients hungry for training material.” The lawsuit claims these companies circumvent Reddit's anti-scraping measures and Google's controls to access content. Reddit has previously established licensing agreements with major companies to allow them to train AI systems on its vast user-generated content.

 

Bloomberg Law

The Baltimore Sun

U.S. News

Budget mandates and pricing software driving increased billing realization

Nearly three-quarters (70%) of firms experience billing realization increases of 9% or higher on matters with a budget assigned, according to BigHand’s 2025 Trends Analysis for Legal Pricing and Budgeting. The research reveals a growing opportunity for firms to secure client trust and matter profitability through improved financial transparency and new pricing structures.

“It’s time for a widespread shift to outcome-based pricing, which directly reflects the value and results delivered to clients, rather than the time spent,” says Salesforce Senior Vice President Léo Murgel.

Download the full report to explore more pricing insights, including AFA usage, AI efficiencies, and associate commercial training.

 

Catherine Krow, Managing Director of Diversity and Impact Analytics at BigHand, shares her transformative journey from trial lawyer to legal tech innovator. After a pivotal moment when a client challenged her team's billing, Krow founded Digitory Legal to enhance transparency in law firms. She emphasizes the importance of a data-driven approach, stating: "Clean data doesn't only improve profitability, it reveals hidden inequities." Krow highlights the concept of "data debt," where firms possess vast amounts of data but lack the means to utilize it effectively. She advocates for integrating legal expertise with business acumen to meet client demands for accountability and measurable value. As Krow reflects on the future of legal innovation, she warns that firms must embrace data-driven decision-making to remain competitive, stating: "Those that don't will be left behind." Through her work at BigHand, Krow aims to create a more efficient and equitable legal landscape.

 

Legal Tech Monitor

The KM&I for Legal conference has sparked controversy over the inclusion of Brad Karp, Chairman of Paul Weiss, on a panel discussing law firm leadership. Critics argue that Karp's past decisions, particularly his rhetorical appeasement to an authoritarian executive, undermine the integrity of law firms as defenders of the rule of law. Patrick J. McKenna, the panel moderator, stated that Karp is prepared to address these concerns, saying: “Firm Leaders are often called upon to face unprecedented situations.”

 

Legal Tech Monitor

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) holds great promise for legal practice, yet many law firms are not reaping the benefits. A survey by the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) and Everlaw revealed that nearly 60% of in-house counsel reported “no noticeable savings yet” from the use of generative AI by outside counsel. The traditional billable hour model remains a significant barrier, as it discourages firms from reducing hours spent on tasks. While some firms have adopted AI tools, the deployment is inconsistent, and many struggle to demonstrate savings to clients. As noted by Legal Tech Monitor: "Clients will continue to ask ‘where's the savings?’ and firms will nod and say ‘we're working on it.’" The pressure from clients for AI adoption may eventually drive changes in pricing models, but until then, the transition remains slow.

 

Legal Tech Monitor

Clio has launched a new intelligent legal work platform that integrates its core products—Clio Manage, Grow, Draft, and the newly introduced Clio Work—into a cohesive ecosystem powered by Context Engineering AI. This AI enhances the practice of law by understanding matter context, enabling proactive actions and improving productivity by 38%. The platform includes Vincent, an enterprise-grade legal AI, which utilizes over 1bn documents from vLex and 110 jurisdictions. Clio's offerings also feature automated workflows, customizable reporting, and a capital-advance program called Clio Capital, designed to support law firms' financial needs.

 

Legal Tech Monitor

Osborne Clarke has successfully migrated to the cloud using Elite 3E Cloud, marking a significant advancement in the adoption of SaaS solutions among major law firms. The firm faced challenges related to the complexity of its legacy systems but overcame them through diligent planning and risk management. The move to a cloud-based financial and practice management solution will enable Osborne Clarke to access real-time data, enhance operational agility, and better respond to client needs. This transition is part of a broader technology-driven transformation aimed at integrating core business technology solutions with the cloud.

 

Legal Tech Monitor

New Jersey authorities have filed a second lawsuit against Amazon within a week, alleging discrimination against pregnant and disabled workers at its warehouses. The 10-count suit claims that Amazon "systematically violated the civil rights of its pregnant workers and workers with disabilities," denying them reasonable accommodations. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin stated, “In building a trillion-dollar business, Amazon has flagrantly violated their rights and ignored their well-being.” The state is seeking to halt these practices, change Amazon's policies, and impose a five-year monitoring plan. Additionally, they are pursuing civil penalties and damages for affected employees.

 

New Jersey Herald

Powerful insurance companies are rushing to court to mitigate their risks from numerous workers claiming chronic lung diseases linked to artificial stone countertops. The surge in silica-related lawsuits, particularly in California, follows a significant $52m verdict against manufacturers in August 2024. In response to earlier silicosis litigation, many insurers have incorporated silica exclusions in their policies, hoping to use these provisions to deny coverage for current claims. As the situation unfolds, the industry is closely monitoring the implications of these legal challenges.

 

Bloomberg Law

A Chicago judge has permitted Lehram Capital Investments to proceed with a malpractice lawsuit against Baker & McKenzie and its Russian affiliate. Judge John Tully Jr. stated that Lehram is “entitled to conduct discovery on the relationship among Baker” and other entities before resolving disputed questions. The lawsuit claims that Baker & McKenzie is responsible for Lehram's loss of ownership in a Siberian coal mine, involving lawyers from Baker & McKenzie CIS in Moscow.

 

Bloomberg Law

Barnes & Thornburg LLP has settled with retired attorney Michael McCrory, who claimed he lost over $250m in tax savings due to mishandling of his retirement plan contributions. The settlement was announced in a notice filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, although specific terms were not disclosed. McCrory, who specialized in business, commercial, and bankruptcy law, stated that the service providers failed to manage his contributions appropriately.

 

Bloomberg Law

Employees of Quad/Graphics Inc. have received preliminary court approval for an $850,000 class settlement regarding their retirement plan's investment options and fees. This settlement, which amounts to nearly 19% of the estimated losses, will benefit approximately 25,000 individuals covered by the plan since October 2014. Judge Pamela Pepper of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin has scheduled a fairness hearing for February 18, 2026. The lawsuit, ongoing for five years, challenges the investment options within the Quad retirement plan.

 

Bloomberg Tax

Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir, Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, published after her tragic death in April 2025, has reignited discussions on survivor testimony and legal accountability. The memoir coincides with ongoing legal issues, including the Second Circuit's unsealing guidance in the Maxwell defamation case and Prince Andrew's settlement funding. Giuffre's 2022 lawsuit against Prince Andrew, leveraging New York's Child Victims Act, marked a significant moment in sexual abuse litigation. As noted by litigation expert Roberta Kaplan: “I wouldn't be surprised if a major factor was his desire to evade a deposition,” highlighting the strategic nature of civil litigation. The memoir raises complex legal questions about defamation law and posthumous rights, particularly as it relates to Giuffre's advocacy for survivor justice. Her legacy includes founding Speak Out, Act, Reclaim, emphasizing the need for legislative reform in sexual abuse cases.

 

LawFuel