The Lawyer’s New Toolbox: AI and Innovation Unpacked in Crespect Talks

In the latest episode of Crespect Talks: Heads in the Sand or Hands on the Future, host Karolina Šilingienė sat down with legal tech pioneers Barbora Obračajová and Pekka Puolakka to explore the integration of AI and technology in legal practices. This engaging discussion highlighted the mindset shift and skillset transformation necessary for lawyers today to embrace innovation.

Barbora and Pekka shared their journey from traditional law to legal tech, where curiosity led them to explore and ultimately adopt new tools like AI. Both emphasized that future lawyers need more than legal knowledge—they need critical thinking, creativity, and flexibility to adapt to tech-driven transformations. Barbora noted that

The speakers shared practical examples of how AI can revolutionize legal workflows. Pekka showcased a custom-built AI agent that generates complex legal documents, reducing hours of manual work to minutes. He stressed that while AI is promising, human oversight remains essential, particularly as the technology evolves. Barbora, who teaches future lawyers, demonstrated “rapid prototyping” as a way to create and test AI-driven tools like interactive checklists and visualizations that help lawyers think outside traditional document structures.

The episode touched on the importance of innovation in legal education and professional practice. Both speakers argued that for law firms to embrace new tools effectively, they must build a culture that accepts failure as part of the learning process. Pekka emphasized that

while Barbora recommended starting with smaller, low-stakes projects to build familiarity with innovative tools.

For those considering integrating AI, Pekka’s advice was simple: “Start small and explore.” Barbora added that decision-makers should avoid the “quick-fix” AI products flooding the market, urging them to prioritize thorough research and foundational tools over flashy, underdeveloped solutions.

• Develop a New Skillset: Lawyers must cultivate creativity, flexibility, and tech-savvy thinking to thrive in a tech-driven field.
• Start Small with AI: Experiment with low-risk AI projects to build confidence and demonstrate the potential of technology without overwhelming resources.
• Foster a Culture of Learning: For AI to succeed, law firms need to embrace learning and growth, allowing room for trial and error.

This episode highlighted the tremendous potential of AI to redefine legal services and encouraged listeners to dive into the innovative possibilities that AI presents.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Crespect Talks, where we continue exploring the future of legal tech!