AI is changing how lawyers review contracts, conduct research, and serve their clients. As more of that work shifts to AI agents, lawyers face a new challenge: learning to direct those tools and evaluate their output while remaining accountable for the results.
In this episode, Harvey’s chief legal officer John LaBarre joins Matt Perault to discuss what that transition looks like in practice. They explore how Harvey’s own legal team uses AI, how greater efficiency could make legal help more affordable and accessible, and what those changes could mean for the job market lawyers.
They also examine how professional rules shape who can benefit from the technology and discuss competition between AI applications and model providers. A recent California legislative example highlights how policymakers can strengthen protections for people seeking legal help while preserving access to legal AI tools.
Topics covered:
00:00: Intro
01:37: What Harvey does: From legal research to AI agents
03:57: Lawyers’ responsibilities, confidentiality, and trust in the age of AI
07:54: Access to justice and the limits of professional licensing
10:53: How Harvey’s legal team helps shape the company’s product
13:04: Helping lawyers adopt new tools and ways of working
14:59: Building an AI-native legal team
17:58: Understanding AI’s limitations and applying professional judgment
21:41: “Human on the hook”: Accountability for AI-assisted work
24:00: Legal fees, efficiency, and the future of the billable hour
27:34: Barriers to adoption and lawyers’ ethical duties around technology
30:02: Preparing future lawyers to direct and evaluate AI agents
33:50: Why greater efficiency could expand demand for legal work
36:57: How Harvey chooses among AI models
38:20: Partnering and competing with model providers
41:52: California’s SB 574 and the importance of clear definitions in policymaking
Resources:
Subscribe to the a16z AI Policy Brief: https://a16zpolicy.substack.com/
Follow John LaBarre on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/labaj/
Follow Harvey on X: https://x.com/harvey
Follow Matt Perault on X: https://x.com/MattPerault
The content here is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. Please note that a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed in this podcast. For more details, including a link to our investments, please see a16z.com/disclosures.
