In this episode of Further Comments, we are joined by the 'Duchess of Document Automation', Catherine Bamford. Catherine shares her journey and expertise in legal tech, particularly in document automation. We dive into the nuances of document automation, discussing the adoption cycles within law firms, the importance of continuous improvement, and the challenges and solutions brought by large language models (LLMs).

Catherine, Damien, and Horace explore how LLMs can augment document automation, the ethics of legal tech processes, and the evolving landscape of legal tech solutions.

Catherine's clarity and depth make this episode a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of law and technology.

DeepSeek has been all the rage among the tech community in January 2025. In this episode, Damien and Horace are joined by special guest Joe Rayment, CEO of Automatise, to explore the implications of DeepSeek.

The discussion covers a range of topics including the geopolitical aspects, build vs buy considerations, licensing and terms of use, cost reduction, data privacy, vendor lock-in, and the skills gap for law firms and legal tech vendors. The conversation delves into the potential impacts, benefits, and challenges that DeepSeek poses for the legal tech industry.

Join Horace and Damien as they return from a break to a deep dive discussion with Adrian Parlow, founder and CEO of Point One, on the significance and future of timekeeping in law firms. They explore the persistence of the billable hour, the potential shift towards flat fees, and the role of AI in automating time entries. The conversation delves into how accurate time data can transform law firm efficiency, pricing, and the overall practice, with a spotlight on standardization through systems like SALI.

00:00 Welcome Back!

02:00 The Future of the Billable Hour

04:18 The Importance of Time Data

07:54 Challenges in Timekeeping

13:07 AI and Automation in Law Firms

15:29 Transitioning to Flat Fee Models

24:21 Standardizing Legal Data

30:39 Looking Ahead: The Future of Time Keeping

35:15 Closing Remarks