What happens when technology delivers legal outcomes faster than lawyers, but the rules governing legal practice have not kept pace? For in-house counsel, navigating the intersection of legal tech and their daily operations is no longer abstract. Legal departments are increasingly asked to approve, deploy, or partner with legal tech products that blur the line between legal information and legal advice. Understanding where that line sits, and why it matters, has become a core legal leadership responsibility. The role of legal tech and in-house counsel is pivotal in this evolving landscape.
That tension surfaced clearly during a recent conversation with legal tech builders Erin Levine and Quinten Steenhuis. Both have spent years designing tools that operate at the edges of the legal system, serving people who would otherwise receive no help at all. Their work raises a critical issue for in-house lawyers: how to support innovation while responsibly managing regulatory and reputational risk in a system built for a different era. Indeed, legal tech and in-house counsel must work together to tackle these challenges.
Watch the full conversation with Erin Levine & Quinten Steenhuis:
Why Legal Tech Is Forcing a Rethink of Legal Boundaries
Traditional legal practice was designed as a bespoke service, delivered one client at a time. Legal tech challenges that assumption by transforming repeatable legal work into scalable products. Document automation, guided workflows, and AI-powered tools now help users complete legal tasks without direct lawyer involvement, often faster and with less friction. The collaboration between legal tech and in-house counsel is critical in managing these advancements.
For in-house legal teams, this shift matters because the organization becomes accountable not just for legal advice, but for the systems that deliver it. The rules around unauthorized practice of law were never designed for software that adapts in real time, spans jurisdictions, or serves thousands of users simultaneously. Therefore, the integration of legal tech and in-house counsel becomes crucial for adapting these systems responsibly.
Why Supervision Matters More Than Prohibition
A key lesson from experienced builders is that outright prohibition rarely reduces risk. When organizations block vetted tools, users often turn to unsupervised AI systems instead. Those tools lack jurisdictional accuracy, legal context, and accountability.
Supervised legal tech, by contrast, is intentionally designed with guardrails. Aggregated data, human review, transparent disclaimers, and clear escalation paths help users understand both their options and their limits. For in-house counsel, supporting supervised innovation is often safer than allowing unsupervised experimentation to flourish in the shadows.
The Leadership Opportunity for In-House Counsel
In-house lawyers are uniquely positioned to shape how legal technology is adopted responsibly. That means asking better questions during procurement, understanding how tools handle edge cases, and ensuring users know when professional judgment is required.
This is not about lowering standards. It is about modernizing oversight. Legal departments that engage early with builders can influence product design, reduce downstream risk, and ensure that innovation aligns with organizational values and regulatory expectations.
The Future of Law Will Be Built, Not Guarded
The future of law will not be defined by drawing sharper lines around who is allowed to help. It will be shaped by how legal professionals collaborate with builders to expand access while preserving trust. In-house counsel who embrace this role move from gatekeepers to architects.
Legal leadership today requires comfort with ambiguity, fluency in technology, and confidence in judgment. Those who develop these skills will not only manage risk more effectively. They will help shape a legal system that works better for everyone it serves. The synergy between legal tech and in-house counsel will define this transformation.
Watch the full conversation here: Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 10, Episode 1 (ft. Erin Levine & Quinten Steenhuis)
Join the Conversation
At Notes to My (Legal) Self®, we’re dedicated to helping in-house legal professionals develop the skills, insights, and strategies needed to thrive in today’s evolving legal landscape. From leadership development to legal operations optimization and emerging technology, we provide the tools to help you stay ahead.
What’s been your biggest breakthrough moment in your legal career? Let’s talk about it—share your story.
