The Docket
- jayleviste
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
BRINGING YOU THE LATEST IN LEGAL TECH NEWS
TLTF & Friends in the News
🚀 Pathways is here! We are mapping the next 15 years in legal tech. Catch up on the roadmaps for Law Firms and In-House and don't miss our upcoming weekly drops in January: Legaltech and Consumer & SMB are up next!
🗳️ Support Candle AI at ABA Techshow! Our Legaltech Lab company was selected as a top 25 legal tech startup. Cast your vote by Feb. 13 to help them reach the live pitch competition and showcase how their AI-powered email integration saves small and mid-sized firms hours on non-billable workflows.
🎉 Blackcloak released their 2026 Predictions Report, with a focus on deeply integrated security solutions that proactively protect executives across their professional and personal lives.
🎉 Fairmint appointed three senior executive leaders to scale institutional onchain equity.
🎉 Qualytics has rebranded with a new website and announced a partnership with Databricks to deliver proactive data quality for AI and analytics.
🎉 Wexler launched a reimagined platform that empowers litigators and investigators to analyze case files and build end-to-end strategies.
💬 ICYMI: HelloPrenup was featured in The New Yorker. As prenups become a mainstream part of modern financial planning, HelloPrenup is leading the charge in bringing transparency and fairness to the process.
🎧 Dylan Ruga, Carly Savar, and Joe Stephens talk on Between the Briefs about Steno’s new Attorney Work Styles Framework, the strengths and pitfalls of different legal archetypes, and how self-awareness builds more effective legal teams.
📣 We’re looking for founders building Law Firm 2.0. The LegalTech Lab is open for applications.
News from the World of Law AI & LegalTech
The hardware horizon: OpenAI is preparing to launch its first AI physical device, potentially a smart pen or portable audio assistant, slated for release between 2026 and 2027.
Battle for the black box: xAI filed a lawsuit against the California Attorney General to block a new training disclosure law, arguing that the specific datasets used to train its Grok chatbot are proprietary trade secrets.
Breaking the chain: Anthropic introduced a framework for red teaming smart contracts, using AI to identify $4.6M in critical vulnerabilities and improve the security of blockchain-based agreements.
Privacy & Surveillance
Proving the real: Instagram is preparing to cryptographically sign authentic media at the source, allowing users to distinguish genuine photos from AI generated photos.
The master delete: California launched its DROP portal that allows residents to request that every registered data broker delete their personal information at once.
Privacy by design: The UK has started enforcing new cyber-flashing mandates under the Online Safety Act, legally requiring platforms to proactively block unsolicited explicit images before they are delivered.
Legal System & Policy
Eye in the sky: Flock Safety cameras now solve 10% of U.S. crimes. Privacy advocates warn of unregulated mass surveillance.
AI on the bench: A judge is using AI to analyze case facts and draft hearing questions. Critics fear black box algorithmic bias in the courtroom.
Liability on trial: SCOTUS will decide if tech firms are liable for abuses linked to their surveillance exports. A ruling could spark litigation for tech vendors.
Listen
Bridget McCormack, President and CEO of the American Arbitration Association talks on the AI and the Future of Law Podcast about how the high capital demands of AI infrastructure are driving private equity interest and the use of MSO models to navigate traditional legal ethics rules. (38 mins)
Ed Walters, VP of Legal Innovation + Strategy at Clio talks on the Legal Innovation Spotlight about how AI is reshaping legal education and professional training. (53 mins)
Julia Taylor, Chief Legal Officer at Coupa talks on Legal Leaders about why deeply understanding the business, building trust across teams, and staying calm under pressure matters for in-house legal teams. (59 mins)
Tanner’s Other Page Turners
Legal immunity for the forest’s oldest workers: Amazonian stingless bees win historic protection.
The algorithm has a beat: Gen Z and Millennials are now clocking three hours of AI-generated music every single week.
From sci-fi to the laundry room: humanoid robots are mastering chores, one slow-motion fold at a time.
On The Road
👋🏻 Want to meet with a portfolio company or TLTF at one of the events below? Fill out this form.
January 21 - 23, 2026 - Qualytics at Quartz Network Data Strategy & Analytics Forum in Nashville, TN.
January 27, 2026 - Candle AI and Flytech at the National Trial Lawyers Summit in Miami, FL.
January 22 - 28, 2026 - LawPro.ai at 8 Figure Accelerator Conference and a panelist at 8 Figure Accelerator in Napa, CA.
February 5, 2026 - ECFX is hosting a Lunch & Learn at Shutts & Bowen in Miami, FL.
February 10 - 12, 2026 - Infodash at Microsoft Tech Days in Chicago, IL.
February 18 - 19, 2026 - Qualytics at CDAO Financial Services & Insurance Summit in NYC.
Join a Rocketship
Alt Legal is hiring a Business Development Representative and a QA Engineer.
Candle AI is hiring a Head of Engineering.
BlackCloack is hiring a Security Engineer (Product/Cloud Security), Security Engineer (Security Operations, Zero Trust), and Senior Security Analyst.
Flytech is hiring a Vertical Sales Lead.
Navys is hiring a Head of Engineering, a Full Stack Engineer, a Front End Engineer and a Product Manager.
Qualytics is hiring a Senior CSM and a Senior Sales Engineer.
Steno is hiring a Consulting Attorney/Legal Solutions Consultant and a Senior Regulatory Counsel.
Wexler is hiring an AI Engineer and a Software Engineer.
See more about TLTF’s Portfolio Companies
About The LegalTech Fund We invest in companies transforming the world of law. This newsletter is put together by The team at The LegalTech Fund. Follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Spotify