Ashurst is the latest law firm to partner with legal AI platform Harvey to support its client work.

Ashurst says it will be rolling out Harvey worldwide to its more than 4,000 lawyers and business services staff following an extensive trial, part of the firm’s broader digital transformation efforts and willingness to embrace generative AI technology.

Unlike public AI models, Harvey has been trained specifically on legal data, supporting areas such as document review, due diligence, drafting and market research.

Tara Waters, Ashurt’s chief digital officer, said: “GenAI is here to stay, and this is another step Ashurst is taking to ensure its people and clients can leverage the full potential of this new technology.”

She added: “As a firm we are committed to not only demystify but harness the value of AI to best support our people, and our clients, and enhance our ability to deliver best-in-class service. Our partnership with Harvey is a significant step towards this, empowering our people with the digital, data and technology capabilities that will help us to achieve our 2027 Strategy.”  

Ashurst trialled Harvey across 23 of its global offices, with more than 525 users taking part in the pilot.

Paul Jenkins, Ashurst’s global CEO, said: “It takes meticulous planning, testing and foresight to have the confidence to roll-out Harvey across every jurisdiction and every part of the business from day one. It goes without saying that it’s important for our business and for our clients that we leverage the best that technology can offer so that we can work efficiently.”

Jenkins added that it would help optimise and streamline their workflows and service offering and create opportunities for innovation.

Harvey has already been adopted by law firms including A&O Shearman, O’Melveny & Myers, CMS, Vinson & Elkins, Reed Smith and more.

Winston Weinberg, co-founder and CEO of Harvey, said: “We are appreciative of Ashurst’s extensive feedback and evaluation process and are excited to now formalise our partnership across Ashurst’s 4,000 lawyers and staff. This partnership underscores Ashurst’s innovative approach and our commitment to delivering AI solutions optimised for the most rigorous legal use cases, enablling Ashurst’s teams to achieve new levels of efficiency and innovation in client service.”

Law firms are increasingly eyeing opportunities around AI. Last month, Travers Smith spun out its AI technology products into a separate software business known as Jylo. Also in May, Sullivan & Cromwell launched a dedicated AI practice. And in November last year, Slaughter and May announced its latest legaltech incubator programme, seeking companies that are developing products with a generative AI focus.