I haven’t been to Legal Tech in years. Over the years they seem to have evolved into a trade show which focused on the hot technology of the moment. In recent years eDiscovery was the dominant theme. But this year ALM entered a partnership with  Codex,the Stanford
Center for Legal Informatics.

According to the press release:  “CodeX’s mission
is to solve systemic problems in the law through the exchange of ideas around
legal technology, which will empower individuals and impact our legal system
for the better. A primary focus of its researchers is the development and
implementation of computational law, the use of computers to translate legal
rules and regulations at a moment’s notice.”

 

 ALM
worked with the CodeX team to introduce new companies to a market of nearly
13,000 LegalTech attendees by providing packages to eligible companies that
offer a free exhibit space in a new pavilion on the trade show floor, as well
as the opportunity to host thought leadership presentations on the pavilion
stage.

 

Innovation in
Aisle 117

 

Aisle 117 was not only a great place to see innovative products but it was a social hub for other innovation pioneers. When I arrived at Aisle 117 ran into  Ed Walters of Fastcase and D. Casey Flaherty of  “technology audit” fame. Flaherty had recently left Kia Motors and was pursuing innovation as an independent cost control consultant.  Aisle 117 did feature an interesting mix of new products. Not one of
them involved ediscovery. There was a heavy bias toward IP related products.

 

Patent Vector
is a new take on using big data for IP. It provides ranking and mapping of
patent influence using a database of US patents from 1976.

 

IP Nexus is a
kind of IP marketplace for inventors looking to protect their inventions. It
links inventors to a legal advisers, experts, , Investors and purchasers.

 

Plain Legal
is a cloud based collaboration application for IP filings. It automatically
generating  USPTO filings and tracks deadlines.

 

Docket Alarm
Yes another docket product. They are also focused on IP filings. They claim to
be the only service that includes all of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
data. The do offer a cool looking dashboard of analytics with lots of filtering
options. They promise  near real time alerts.

MeWe  is
what we now call an “alternative service provider.” They are selling automated
compliance services to corporations. They appear to currently be focused
primarily on environmental and health compliance issues. They have a mobile app
that enables field inspection –powered by a comprehensive library of rules and
regulations.

Wizdocs.net  Is
focused on streamlining complex team based  M&A document drafting.
DealManager allows lawyers to manage
diligence reviews. “With DealManager, lawyers can (in real time) assign tasks,
track review progress, collect diligence analysis, manage deal issues, and
instantly generate diligence reports and disclosure schedules.”

 

One400 Is a
marketing firm for law firms which  focuses on everything from website design to social media
optimization.
If the Innovation Aisle is any indication of the products which will be dominating Legal Tech in the future,  many past attendees who had dismissed Legal Tech as a gigantic eDiscovery show will have add Legal Tech back into their calendars.