LexisNexis is one of the most important companies in the entire legal system. For ages it's been where you went to look up case law and do legal research. There isn’t a lawyer today who hasn’t used it — it’s fundamental infrastructure for the legal profession, just like email or a word processor.

But in 2025, apparently nobody can resist the siren call of AI, and LexisNexis is no different. The first word Sean said to describe LexisNexis wasn’t “law” or “data,” it was “AI.” And I had questions, because so far AI has created just as much chaos and slop in the courts as anywhere else.

Links:

• Errors found in judge’s withdrawn decision stink of AI | The Verge
• Why do lawyers keep using ChatGPT? | The Verge
• Conservative judge says AI could strengthen originalist movement | Reuters
• LexisNexis CEO says it’s ‘a matter of time’ before attorney loses a license | Fortune
• Two companies ruled legal tech for decades. AI is blowing that open | BI
  

Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Ursa Wright.

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

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