From Co Counsel to Blockchain: Recent Key Legal Technology Updates

INTRODUCTION:

The legal tech landscape is accelerating, with major announcements spanning AI, blockchain, and automation. Highlights include the American Arbitration Association’s partnership with Integra Ledger on blockchain document authentication, Thomson Reuters expanding CoCounsel and Westlaw Deep Research into law schools, law firms, law libraries and new product launches from Exterro, Quo, Tonkean, and UnitedLex. Together, these updates signal how quickly legal practice, education, and dispute resolution are being reshaped by technology.

FROM CO COUNSEL TO BLOCKCHAIN…

The legal technology sector continues to evolve at a brisk pace, with new products, partnerships, and innovations reshaping practice, education, and dispute resolution. This week’s updates, originally reported in Legaltech News, (restrictions may apply) highlight how major players are embracing artificial intelligence, blockchain, and automation to transform legal services.

  • American Arbitration Association (AAA) & Integra Ledger: AAA has partnered with blockchain provider Integra Ledger to roll out document registration and authentication services. The initiative is designed to create digital proofs that can prevent AI-driven document forgery and manipulation. Users can authenticate up to 100 documents at no charge before moving to a subscription plan.

  • Exterro: The e discovery and governance software company announced FTK Imager Pro, an enhanced forensics tool offering instant decryption across platforms like BitLocker, APFS/FileVault, McAfee, and Symantec, while also enabling full extraction of iOS device data.

  • OpenPhone (now Quo): CRM provider OpenPhone rebranded as Quo and expanded its AI-powered agent, Sona, which now comes free for all customers. Quo is also introducing more flexible call flow and menu options.

  • Thomson Reuters: Updates to the CoCounsel platform include a more intuitive interface, regional settings for tailored tools, and integration of the “Search a Database” skill with HighQ. In addition, CoCounsel’s Legal Tracker will use AI to streamline invoice evaluation. Importantly, Thomson Reuters also announced that CoCounsel Legal and Deep Research from Westlaw will be made available to U.S. law school faculty in late 2025, with students gaining access in early 2026.

  • Tonkean: The automation platform launched new AI agents, including tools for contract renewals, third-party risk reviews, and spend anomaly detection. These agents manage tasks such as negotiations, compliance checks, and vendor analysis.

  • UnitedLex: The firm appointed Beverly Rich as Vice President of AI and Innovation. Rich, with prior roles at Messner Reeves and Ogletree Deakins, will spearhead the company’s expansion into AI-driven response drafting, case intelligence, and analytics.

Taken together, these announcements underscore a growing convergence of AI, blockchain, and automation in shaping the delivery of legal  services (including law libraries). From dispute resolution to forensics, contract management, and legal education, the legal industry is embracing technology at every level, a trend that shows no sign of slowing.

 

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