Ahead of the Curve: Collaboration vs. Competition in the Legal Tech Revolution (and How to Tell the Difference) with Somya Kaushik
We sat down with Somya Kaushik, Associate General Counsel at Mitratech, for a conversation on navigating innovation and emerging technologies in law.
When it comes to embracing innovation in the legal industry, resistance to adopting new technologies is nothing new. And with over 15 years of experience, Somya Kaushik has seen it all: the skepticism, the pushback, and the eventual realization of technology’s immense potential and added value.
In 2012, Kaushik launched EsqMe, Inc., the nation’s first legal community and document marketplace designed for lawyers, by lawyers.
“The idea was simple,” she recalls. “What if lawyers could share their work product, not to compete, but to elevate the profession as a whole and make their practices more efficient and effective?”
The bold move challenged an industry steeped in competition and exclusivity, demonstrating how technology could perhaps be used as a bridge instead of a barrier.
Fast forward to today, Kaushik leads Mitratech’s AI and digital transformation, and is a strong advocate for the early and ethical adoption of artificial intelligence in legal practice. In our conversation, she shares her insights on overcoming the fear of AI, its role as a collaborative tool, and why shifting the mindset around technology adoption is key to unlocking its true value.
Emerging Tech: A Culture of Fear or a Catalyst for Growth?
One of the biggest barriers to adopting emerging technologies like AI, according to Kaushik, is the fear of obsolescence. “Many legal professionals see AI as a threat to their expertise, but in reality, it’s a tool for enhancement,” she explains. AI doesn’t replace lawyers; it empowers them to work more efficiently, freeing up time for strategic thinking, high-value tasks, and better client relationships.
For in-house legal teams, the focus is often on operational efficiency. Law firms, however, face a different kind of challenge: shifting the mindset from billable hours to delivering value through innovation. “[AI] is less about replacing roles and more about reimagining them,” Kaushik emphasizes. “It’s about collaborating with technology to create better outcomes, not fearing what might be lost.”
Q: Why do you think the legal profession is sometimes slow to embrace new technology?
A: “Law is built on precedent, and that mindset doesn’t just apply to cases — it applies to how we work. Many lawyers hesitate because they think adopting tech means losing the personal touch that defines their expertise and gives them a sense of identity, pride and value. But it doesn’t have to be that way – legal analysis and critical thinking is still a human trait that cannot be entirely replaced.”
Q: What advice would you give to legal teams hesitant about tech adoption?
A: “Start small, fill operational gaps first, and track and measure key results. Choose one process to automate — like document assembly or NDA reviews— and track the time or money saved, or the errors reduced. Those successes create momentum, build confidence, and naturally develop buy-in for bigger changes.”
Q: What’s one overlooked benefit of adopting legal technology?
A: “It’s talent retention. Young lawyers don’t want to spend hours on grunt work. Tech makes their jobs more engaging, which helps firms and in-house teams keep their best people.”
Breaking Barriers: Lessons from the EsqMe Era
Reflecting on her work with EsqMe, Kaushik notes that the pushback she received mirrored today’s hesitation to fully adopt and welcome AI.
“For decades, the legal industry has been seen as highly competitive, exclusive and adversarial in nature. But with EsqMe, we were breaking that assumption by innovating a space for collaboration and community using technology. Lawyers were initially very opposed to sharing their prized work-product, but then when they realized it could help their practice, margins, professional and personal brand, and wider network, they realized the value of becoming part of a larger legal community that went across states, and the tide began to turn.”
Technology, she asserts, is a bridge-builder — one that fosters collaboration across firms, practice areas, and even states. The lesson? Barriers to adoption often stem from a fear mindset, not the technology itself.
“We bridged the gap by showing lawyers the quantitative and qualitative value of technology to their practice, daily life, and return on investment,” she added. “There will always be risks with new technology or methods, but the lawyers that really understood the quantitative advantage could manage risk for the greater value added.”
Q: What is currently the biggest barrier to adopting new technologies in legal?
A: “Mindset. The legal industry is deeply rooted in tradition, and change can feel threatening. But once people see the tangible benefits — like time savings or improved collaboration — the hesitation starts to fade.”
Q: How can in-house teams and law firms overcome these barriers when adopting new technology?
A: “It’s all about showing the ‘what’s in it for me.’ For in-house teams, that could be optimizing outside counsel spend or relationships. For firms, it’s likely improving client service and client retention. When the benefits become real and tangible, more and more people will get on board with your vision.”
“And remember: to drive early adoption, you have to be able to show individuals who are innately risk-averse or skeptical about technology the objective and quantitative advantage to leaning into it.”
The Future of the Legal Tech Revolution: A Collaborative Approach
Looking ahead into 2025, Kaushik is optimistic about the legal industry’s ability to embrace tools that prioritize collaboration, efficiency and quality.
“We’re moving toward a profession that values shared success over individual competition,” she says. “The future isn’t about choosing between technology and human expertise; it’s about leveraging both to elevate the entire practice of law.”
Q: Where do you see legal technology heading in the next few years?
A: “The focus will be on integration and intelligence. Tools will get smarter, workflows will become more connected, and lawyers will spend less time managing processes and more time on higher-value initiatives that help drive the business forward.”
Q: What mindset shifts are critical for embracing the next stage of innovation in law?
A: “It’s shifting from a scarcity mentality to an abundance mentality. It’s not about losing work or value — it’s about gaining the tools to do your best work, faster.”
As Somya so thoughtfully explained, the legal industry’s evolution hinges on a willingness to embrace technology as a tool for collaboration instead of a new avenue for competition.
The future of legal practice isn’t just about keeping up — it’s about leading the way. The question now becomes: how will you reimagine your practice to thrive in the age of innovation? If you want to continue the conversation with Somya, please get in touch with our team.
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