"What’s hype—and what’s actually changing in legal tech?"

In this episode of Future Contracts, Electra Japonas sits down with Richard Tromans, founder of Artificial Lawyer and longtime analyst of legal innovation, to break down the three eras of legal tech—and where AI fits into the current wave of change.

Together, they reflect on decades of efforts to modernize legal services, from early eDiscovery to today’s generative AI boom. Richard challenges the industry to move past superficial tools and buzzwords and instead focus on meaningful transformation: the systems, workflows, and market demands actually shaping how legal work gets done.

Whether you’re skeptical or optimistic about AI’s potential in law, this episode offers a sharp, grounded take on what it will really take to shift legal service delivery in a lasting way.

🎧 Topics covered:

• The 3 phases of legal tech: from point solutions to platform wars

• Why most lawyers aren’t actually using today’s tools

• The role of clients in driving change—and why they’re getting louder

• Hype cycles vs. real innovation

• How AI fits into the next wave of legal work

• What's missing from the current conversation

About the guest:
Richard Tromans is the founder of Artificial Lawyer, one of the leading publications covering legal innovation and technology. He’s advised law firms, vendors, and investors on legal strategy and transformation and is known for cutting through buzz to get to what really matters.

If you’re working in legal ops, tech, or just trying to stay ahead of the shift, don’t miss this episode.

👉 Subscribe, follow, and share to stay tuned for more conversations at the intersection of legal work, technology, and change.