Blank Rome Chief Innovation & Value Officer Ashton L. Batchelor, Senior Practice Innovation and Client Solutions Manager Bill Rueter, and partners Anthony “Tony” A. Mingione and Jennifer A. Short recently collaborated with William & Mary Law School to speak with first-year civil procedure students about how artificial intelligence (“AI”) is transforming litigation.
The initiative began when Professor Vivian E. Hamilton from William & Mary Law School sought a law firm actively using AI to share practical insights with her class. After learning a member of Blank Rome’s Innovation group had lectured at the Pennsylvania State University on a similar topic, Blank Rome was invited to present to William & Mary Law School students and assist them in preparing for the practical realities of AI use cases and their application within a litigation context.
Ashton opened the presentation with AI fundamentals geared to legal practitioners, guiding the students through:
- The various forms of AI and their unique applications
- Generative AI capabilities and limitations
- How to choose the right AI tools for specific needs
- The critical importance of responsible and ethical use
Her introduction provided clarity for students across varying levels of AI familiarity and underscored why legal professionals must understand emerging technologies. Ashton emphasized that AI is not a substitute for traditional legal education, but rather a powerful complement to their expertise that equips future lawyers to navigate a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
Next, Tony and Jennifer offered a practicing attorney perspective, discussing:
- How AI is integrated into practice today
- Expectations for transparency and planning
- Areas where AI should never replace attorney judgment
- Real-world examples of effective and cautionary AI use
Bill then walked students through a hypothetical civil litigation matter, illustrating how AI can support each stage of the lifecycle of the case, from discovery to trial preparation. He also provided best practice tips to ensure high quality outputs and highlighted the cost and time efficiencies at each stage- factors that are often critical in litigation matters.
Finally, the session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where students asked thoughtful questions about AI’s role in shaping the future of legal work.
“Our team enjoyed connecting with law students on this important topic. Collaborations like this are essential for investing in the next generation of legal talent,” said Ashton. “By providing practical insights into how lawyers are leveraging AI to achieve meaningful outcomes, we’re helping future lawyers enter the profession with the confidence, responsibility, and innovative mindset needed to make an impact.”
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