Originally published in MIT Computational Law Reports
Announcing the Third Edition: Generative AI for Smart Legal Professionals
An Introduction to Large Language Models
We are pleased to announce the publication of the Third Edition of “Generative AI for Smart Legal Professionals,” authored by Merlin Search Technologies’ CEO John Tredennick and Chief Data Scientist Dr. William Webber. Originally published in the MIT Computational Law Report as “An Introduction to Large Language Models for Ediscovery Professionals,” this comprehensive guide has been extensively updated and expanded. The new edition officially debuted at EDRM’s widely attended webinar “Using Generative AI to Reengineer Investigation and Discovery Workflow.”
What's New in the Third Edition
This edition showcases Gen III, Merlin’s breakthrough integrated system that combines Find, Analyze, and Report capabilities into a seamless workflow for handling large document collections. Through practical examples and real-world applications, readers will see how Gen III transforms traditional discovery processes, making them faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective.
The Third Edition also features substantially expanded coverage of critical professional issues, including:
- In-depth analysis of security considerations and privacy safeguards
- Comprehensive guidance on ethical AI use in legal practice
- Detailed examination of professional responsibility obligations
- Latest developments in AI-related legal cases and regulatory guidance
From MIT to EDRM: A Trusted Resource
The book’s journey from its initial publication in the MIT Computational Law Report to its formal release at EDRM’s recent webinar underscores its significance in the legal technology landscape. EDRM, as the leading international standards organization for eDiscovery and information governance, provided the perfect platform for introducing this updated edition to the legal community. The accompanying webinar, which featured distinguished discovery professionals from Robert Bosch, HKA Global, Siera Data (Australia), and the former head of Global Discovery for Squire Patton Boggs, highlighted the pressing need for practical guidance in implementing GenAI solutions.
A Timely Resource for Legal Professionals
This extensively updated edition responds to the growing demand from investigation and discovery professionals for practical guidance on implementing Generative AI in their practice. The book bridges the gap between complex AI technology and real-world legal applications, offering clear, actionable insights for legal professionals at all levels of technical expertise.
What’s Inside
The book is structured in two complementary parts:
Part One: Understanding GenAI and LLMs
- A clear, accessible introduction to Generative AI and Large Language Models
- Detailed exploration of key concepts like context windows and training cutoffs
- Critical analysis of AI hallucinations and their implications for legal work
- Comprehensive coverage of ethical considerations, including analysis of ABA Formal Opinion 512
Part Two: Practical Applications
- Detailed demonstrations of Gen III’s integrated Find, Analyze, and Report capabilities
- Step-by-step guidance for integrating GenAI into legal workflows
- Real-world examples of AI-generated reports and analysis
- Detailed exploration of three key applications:
- Using AI to analyze large document populations
- Leveraging AI for transcript analysis and reporting
- Applying GenAI to contract review and management
Essential Reading for Modern Legal Practice
The authors directly address crucial concerns about data security, confidentiality, and ethical AI use, providing practical guidance backed by recent case law and clear guidelines for maintaining privacy when using commercial LLM services. This expanded coverage makes the Third Edition an indispensable resource for legal professionals navigating the intersection of technology and professional responsibility.
About the Authors
John Tredennick is the CEO and founder of Merlin Search Technologies, a software company leveraging generative AI and cloud technologies to make investigation and discovery workflow faster, easier, and less expensive. Prior to founding Merlin, he was a trial lawyer and litigation partner at a national law firm. He later founded Catalyst Repository Systems, an international ediscovery technology company which he sold to a public company in 2019. A prolific author and speaker, Tredennick has written eight books and countless articles on legal technology topics, served as Chair of the ABA’s Law Practice Management Section, and is currently active with EDRM and the Sedona Conference.
Dr. William Webber is the Chief Data Scientist of Merlin Search Technologies. He completed his PhD in Measurement in Information Retrieval Evaluation at the University of Melbourne and his post-doctoral research at the E-Discovery Lab of the University of Maryland. With over 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications in information retrieval, statistical evaluation, and machine learning, he is a world expert in AI and statistical measurement for ediscovery. He brings almost a decade of industry experience as a consulting data scientist to ediscovery software vendors, service providers, and law firms.
