Insights from Joe Davis: How Law Firms Can Turn Data, AI, and Innovation into Client Value
- cosmonauts
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
We had the chance to interview Joe Davis, Practice Technology Manager at Fried Frank. With over 25 years of experience in legal technology, Joe’s background spans private practice, corporate legal departments, and legal tech startups. He also serves as Co-Chair of ILTA’s Local Experience Council and is a frequent speaker and author on topics such as artificial intelligence and enterprise content management.
At Future Lawyer USA, Joe will take the stage on Day 1 - Private Practice Day in a standalone session powered by Centari to discuss “How AmLaw 100 Firms and LegalTech Startups Build Winning Partnerships.”
Enjoy the interview - and don’t miss the chance to hear Joe live at Future Lawyer USA, taking place October 29–30 at Ropes & Gray’s Boston office!
Clients are asking for more value, efficiency, and transparency. How is your role helping to reimagine the way the firm delivers legal services to meet those demands?
I’ve seen the power of both emerging and tried-and-true tools when it comes to giving attorneys the data they need to make better decisions. My focus is on integrating these technologies, whether that means AI-based platforms, legacy document management systems, or straightforward reporting tools, so that lawyers have timely access to relevant information. Ultimately, giving our teams richer, more actionable data means they can exercise sharper judgment, leading to more strategic and practical advice for clients. The goal isn’t just efficiency, but empowering lawyers to deliver value through insights they might not have had otherwise.
Law firms are sometimes slower to adopt new technology. What have you found most effective in encouraging lawyers to embrace innovative tools and processes?
Lawyers are naturally risk-averse, and with good reason. What’s worked for me is focusing on small, incremental wins and building trust. I try to pilot new tools with practice leaders who are open-minded, then share concrete success stories. When lawyers see a respected colleague benefit, curiosity turns into action.
AI is getting a lot of attention. From your vantage point, where does AI have the most potential to impact law firm practice in the short term — and what are its limits right now?
AI’s current sweet spot is in document review, contract analytics, research, and
workflow automation. But AI’s output still requires careful validation, especially for nuanced legal advice. AI is a powerful assistant, but it’s not a replacement for lawyers. The technology can help to spot patterns and organize information, but it doesn’t have the experience or contextual awareness to make strategic decisions. Human expertise remains absolutely essential, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Beyond efficiency gains internally, how are law firms using innovation to enhance the client experience and deepen relationships?
Law firms are uniquely positioned to drive legal innovation. After all, we understand both the technology and the legal nuance. While clients are motivated to be more innovative, it can be tough for them to do it alone, given resource constraints or unfamiliarity with the options. By joining forces, we bring our expertise in process design and legal technology to the table, helping clients achieve outcomes that would be hard to reach independently. Ultimately, this collaboration deepens our relationships and delivers a much more meaningful client experience.
What skills do you think the next generation of lawyers will need to thrive in an innovation-driven legal market?
Given how quickly tools and technology are evolving, it’s less important for lawyers to master any one platform or solution. What truly matters is cultivating a mindset focused on creative problem solving for clients. The lawyers who will stand out aren’t just experts in the law - they’re curious, adaptable, and eager to find better ways to tackle client challenges, whether through technology, process improvements, or new ways of thinking. This problem-solving orientation is what really separates the traditional lawyer from the forward-thinking one.
If we were to sit down three years from now, what innovation success story do you hope to be able to share - whether in technology, service delivery, or client engagement?
I want to be able to say that my team and I were ready with the right technology, skills, and mindset at exactly the moment when clients needed more than just legal advice. My hope is to share a story where we didn’t just react to this shift, but anticipated it, delivering solutions that went beyond what a traditional law firm could offer.
Don’t miss out your chance to hear direct insights from Joe Davis and other experts at Future Lawyer USA, October 29-30. Reserve your complimentary pass now
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