LegalTechTalk 2026: AI for Good: Legal Innovation with Real Impact - Monika Koestner - E16

0:00What happens when the brightest minds in legal, technology and innovation come together to shape the future of our profession? Welcome to the Legally Speaking Podcast Legal Tech Talk 2026 miniseries. As the UK's number one legal podcast and show ranked in the top 1 % of podcasts globally, we're delighted to be returning as the official media partner for Legal Tech Talk for the third time. Having supported this event since the beginning, we've witnessed firsthand how it has become Europe's largest legal technology conference, bringing together the people, ideas and innovations transforming the legal industry.

0:37Across this special series, we'll be speaking with some of the world's leading legal professionals, founders, technologists, change makers to explore what's next for law. Because our mission remains the same, inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures. Let's get into it.

1:23things. The big shift and focus this year at Legal Tech Talk is all around transformation. In your view, what's the biggest shift happening right now in legal and why can people no longer afford to ignore it?

1:34Monika Koestner:It's the component of using AI in the legal industry. We've seen the change where even like certain companies that started two, three years ago, they're now being big players in the industry where they're now incorporating AI into legal workflows and it actually does help. There's always a backlog in court, there's backlog cases, a lawyer can have up to how many claims a day. And now they're using corporate AI tools to help them, you know, not regulate the whole process, but, you know, assist in getting the claim done and filed on time to help the plaintiff or the defendant, whoever they're representing.

2:06Monika Koestner:So I think that the AI legal component is the biggest shift. Like it. Okay. And we're here on live Legal Tech Talk. What drew you to Legal Tech Talk 2026 and what's been a highlight or best insight you've picked up thus far? So I actually attended last year for their Legal Tech Talk hackathon, which we became a finalist in, which was amazing. But it was just like from last year to this year, holy cow. I'll be conservative. Holy cow. It's such a dramatic difference is that it's increased dramatically. There's more companies coming here, the same corporations, and you're meeting like-minded individuals in the space, which is hard to find, and it's all in one location.

2:41Monika Koestner:So instead of me going on LinkedIn and trying to cold message, cold call or cold email people, it's like they're all in one space. We can get like-minded individuals, talk about the same concepts, the same ideas and we're all the movers and shakers in the industry that are here in one spot. Absolutely and you're at the forefront of the industry what's the legal problem or challenge you're passionate about solving and why should people care? The passion that I'm really about right now is the access to justice for the vulnerable. We find that it's a David and Goliath battle especially with artificial intelligence for good for global good AI for duty for short is meet is doing the whole Aaron Brockovich meets Henry Ford component so the The typical thing is one case, one law firm, one group action, whatever it is.

3:22Monika Koestner:It's now here's a portfolio where it can be scalable that a law firm can do multiple cases throughout the year, get the access for justice for the vulnerable, because you see that, again, like I said, they have a live battle where an individual or plaintiff thinks, well, I'm alone. I'm just one person. The corporation has deep pockets. How can I feel a hole again if I don't have the funds to do it? Here's the opportunity that we're doing that. You can scale the justice through what we're trying to anticipate to do. Okay, and from access to justice then to human impact, because we're hearing a lot about technology, automation, innovation, and it may go deeper on your previous response.

3:55But if we get this right, what will be the human impact? How will this improve life of lawyers, law firm clients, and overall society?

4:04Monika Koestner:How it would help is that the human impact would be, again, you know, as I mentioned before, lawyers and law firms are incorporating the AI to scale their claims to be able to file them properly into the course and get them done in a timely manner. plaintiffs or defendants, whoever's on the side, can feel whole again by getting the justice that they deserve, that they've been wronged by a corporation or by an individual or somebody here is now using AI to get that justice they want, to feel whole again and to move on with their lives. Well said. Okay, let's fast forward a few years now. What will seem completely obvious in, say, 2030 that legal professionals are still ignoring today?

4:39Monika Koestner:That is an excellent question. I think a lot of the legal firms are underestimating how powerful the AI world can be, especially when you're incorporating these two industries together to make it a better, to move progress forward into the future. The way I see it is, it's like a two plus two equals five scenario, where two great industries coming together for the best. So lawyers, as I kept saying in this interview, is that they're getting their claims filed, they're doing it better, they're incorporating tools that they never had before. to get the claim to be finished and completed and filed the courts.

5:14Monika Koestner:And the humicide individuals can be, okay, well, I can use AI to get my claim going and feel good about it. Well said. Okay. If you have the attention of every law firm leader, general counsel, legal operations professional, listening or watching this podcast right now, what's one action they could take or should take in the next 90 days to prepare for a better future? One action. One action, learn AI. Learn AI. Learn AI. That's all I can say. And what's one belief you hold about the legal profession, legal technology, future of law, you hold it strongly that other people may disagree with? Belief.

5:53Monika Koestner:The one belief in the legal technology in the legal world is that AI is like, I honestly believe that AI will not replace lawyers. I believe it will be like an assistant component like it is now, but more advanced. It's not like draft this whole thing for me. and file it for me. It's more like, what am I missing in this brief that can make it better? And what can I incorporate to my legal brief or my case file? Okay, like it. And before we let you go, final question. The Legally Speaking podcast is all about inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures. We've been taking the show around the world since 2019.

6:27So my final question is, what's one skill, behavior, or mindset you think will separate the leaders of tomorrow from everyone else?

6:36Monika Koestner:Adaptability. If you're not going to adapt to what's currently going on in the world or if you're not moving with the legal world or the AI world, you will not survive. It's like that saying that goes, it's not the strongest that survive, it's the ones that are most willing to adapt to change will survive. And if you're not in that mindset, I'm sorry, but I believe you'll be left in the dust. Adapt and thrive, right? Look at it from a growth perspective. Okay, and if finally people want to learn more about yourself, your organization, what you're working on, feel free to share any websites, any social media handles.

7:05We'll also share them with a very special episode for you too.

7:08Monika Koestner:So unfortunately, all I have is LinkedIn right now. And you can find me at Monica with a spell with a K, not a C. Kostner, K-O-E-S-T-N-E-R. You're more than welcome to connect or send me a message. Find out more about what we're doing. And it just leaves me to say thank you so much for joining me live here at Legal Tech Talk in London for the 2026 version of the Legal Speaking Podcast sponsored by Clio as part of our mini-series. Wishing you lots of continued success with your mission and passions. But from all of us, over and out. And that wraps up the Legally Speaking podcast Legal Tech Talk 2026 miniseries sponsored by Clio.

7:40A huge thank you to Legal Tech Talk for having us back as the lead media partner, to every brilliant guest who joined us, and to everyone who watched, listened, and supported the series. We've covered everything from AI, innovation, legal careers, leadership, community, and the human side of legal tech. As always, our mission stays the same. Inspiring legal minds, transforming legal futures. and we're only just getting started. More on the Legally on the Move adventures coming soon, road trips, exciting show moments, lots to look forward to. But for now, from all of us on the Legally Speaking Podcast, over and out.