LexisNexis Unveils AI Assistant Protégé to Transform Legal Workflows
Legal research leader LexisNexis has introduced Protégé, a cutting-edge AI assistant tailored to support paralegals, legal assistants, and professionals in the legal industry. The tool is designed to enhance productivity by assisting with tasks such as drafting and proofreading legal documents, ensuring accurate citations in pleadings and briefs. Unlike generic AI tools, Protégé is built to learn the unique workflows of individual law firms, offering customized services that adapt to specific needs.
A Multi-Model Approach
In developing Protégé, LexisNexis experimented with advanced large language models (LLMs) from providers like Anthropic and Mistral. The company selected models based on their suitability for specific use cases, prioritizing performance and response times. In some instances, LexisNexis opted for smaller language models (SLMs) or employed model distillation, a technique where a larger model "teaches" a smaller one. This approach enhances efficiency and reduces costs while maintaining high accuracy.
Jeff Riehl, Chief Technology Officer at LexisNexis, explained the strategy: "We break down each user's task into individual components and find the best large language model to support each component." For example, when a user inputs a query, Protégé first uses a fine-tuned Mistral model to analyze the query before switching to the most appropriate model for task completion.
Building on a Legacy of AI Innovation
LexisNexis has a long history of integrating AI into its services, exploring technologies such as natural language processing, deep learning, and machine learning. The company established the LexisNexis + AI Legal Research Center in July 2024 to further its advancements in the field. Riehl highlighted the transformative impact of generative and conversational AI since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022.
Expanding Capabilities
Currently, Protégé relies primarily on a fine-tuned Mistral model but plans to incorporate other models like Claude, OpenAI’s GPT series, and Google’s Gemini in the future. These additions aim to enhance the platform’s capabilities further.
Beyond Document Drafting
Protégé is more than just a document assistant. It helps generate questions for legal cases, link citations for accuracy, create timelines, and summarize complex legal materials. Riehl emphasized that Protégé represents an initial step toward personalized and intelligent legal assistance: "Our goal is to provide each legal professional with a personalized assistant that supports their specific work needs."
Key Points
- Protégé is an AI assistant designed to streamline legal workflows by drafting documents and generating citations.
- LexisNexis uses a combination of large and small language models to optimize performance and cost efficiency.
- The tool adapts to individual law firm workflows, offering customized support for legal professionals.
- Future updates will incorporate additional models like Claude and Google’s Gemini to enhance capabilities.
