UK law firm Shoosmiths is rolling out a proprietary generative AI contract review tool, Project Apollo, across the firm following a year-long build and pilot programme to enhance transparency and assist junior lawyers’ development.
Shoosmiths says that the AI contract review tool is different to what is currently on the market, as it was assembled with input and support from Microsoft, and runs in Microsoft’s secure Azure environment.
Project Apollo is an AI assistant that reviews contracts faster, highlights potential problems, suggests improvements and explains its reasoning so lawyers can work more swiftly.
Market-informed recommendations can be made at scale where client expectations can be achieved via playbooks, as the platform ensures the preferred language, risk profile and commercial position of each of the firm’s customers.
A real-time learning environment is also created through compiled explanations and guidance, where junior lawyers can understand market context behind edits.
Additionally, Project Apollo enables contracts that are revised against a playbook, enabling drafting sourced from Shoosmiths’ market-leading dealmakers.
David Jackson, chief executive of Shoosmiths, said: “With our platform, developing lawyers can learn more, faster. Our self-developed generative AI software enables the firm to deploy its collective dealmaking expertise at scale, allowing lawyers to not only see what amendments have been made, but most significantly, why.”
Darren Hardman, CEO of Microsoft UK and Ireland, said: “Project Apollo is a strong example of AI doing what it does best: taking the knowledge of Shoosmiths’ most experienced lawyers and making it available to everyone in the firm, at every stage of their career.
“The fact that it explains its reasoning at every step makes it a genuine learning tool, not just a productivity one.”
The platform is also designed to drive the firm’s expertise in M&As further. According to Experian MarketIQ, Shoosmiths has advised on more consolidation deals than any other UK firm over the past four years.
Earlier this month, Shoosmiths reaffirmed its commitment to AI with a new internal accreditation programme, the AI Fluency Framework, to equip its staff with necessary AI skills in a four-level process.
In January, the firm released a report that found AI-related litigation risk has surpassed intellectual property, breach of contract and group litigation as the most threatening emerging risk over the next three years.
Other firms have also been building their own AI tools. Earlier this month global IP firm Fish & Richardson said it had created a proprietary AI patent tool to enhance patent workflows and support clients.
Also this month, Kirkland & Ellis said it was co-developing an AI platform with Palantir to help its private equity clients raise funds from investors.
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