Law firm of the future may be AI-native, lean and obelisk-shaped

Christopher Kercher, after 17 years at the prominent law firm Quinn Emanuel, is launching a new venture, Kercher Law, with a distinct vision for the future of legal practice. He plans to leverage artificial intelligence, specifically tools like ChatGPT and Claude, to reshape the traditional law firm structure. Instead of the long-standing pyramid model, where junior lawyers handle extensive groundwork before tasks reach senior partners, Kercher envisions an 'obelisk' shape. This design aims to reduce the number of hierarchical layers, enabling experienced lawyers to work more directly with AI systems that can gather facts and generate initial drafts.

Kercher believes this AI-native approach will not only streamline operations but also reduce costs for clients by eliminating the 'coordination tax' associated with large teams. He has developed a custom Claude skill to act as a digital adversary, probing his arguments for weaknesses. At launch, Kercher Law will operate with a small team, with Kercher serving as the sole trial lawyer, supported by technology and operations staff. He plans to employ only a 'low double digit' number of attorneys, betting that AI can significantly extend the reach of a single litigator. This move positions Kercher as part of a growing trend of lawyers exploring AI's potential to create more efficient and agile legal practices, while navigating the associated regulatory and ethical considerations.