Crosby, an AI-first law firm founded by Ryan and John, is redefining legal services by automating human negotiations, particularly in contract management. Their innovative model directly challenges the traditional legal tech landscape, which often focuses solely on software solutions. This unique approach, discussed recently, aims to streamline the often-cumbersome process of reaching agreements on terms, a critical component of nearly all business transactions.
Ryan and John, founders of Crosby, spoke about their pioneering venture into building an AI-first law firm, rather than simply legal software. Their core philosophy hinges on the belief that the most effective way to automate human negotiations, especially for contracts like leases, offer letters, and business agreements, is by deeply integrating AI within the operational structure of a law firm itself. This model allows for an unparalleled synergy between legal expertise and technological innovation.
A central tenet of Crosby's strategy is the creation of unique feedback loops, a distinct advantage over traditional legal software providers. John elaborates: "having your domain experts sit side-by-side with your engineers creates such a unique feedback loop, where it's more than just evals, it's actually using the product, experiencing it, doing user research, and understanding what are the critical workflows, what are the biggest gaps." This direct, iterative collaboration allows for rapid product improvement and a deeper understanding of real-world legal challenges.
The traditional legal services market has long prioritized human capital, with a heavy reliance on billable hours. However, Ryan notes a significant shift, especially "in particular the last three [years] that that's changed." Crosby capitalizes on this by eschewing the billable hour in favor of per-document pricing. This aligns incentives, rewarding efficiency and predictability in work, rather than time spent.
AI's evolving capabilities are unlocking unprecedented potential for automating complex, qualitative legal tasks. Ryan emphasizes that "huge chunks of the qualitative, thoughtful work that lawyers are doing each day can actually now be delegated to machines." While foundation models can achieve 90% accuracy with ease, bridging the gap to 99.99% remains a significant challenge. This final leap requires meticulous human oversight and continuous fine-tuning, a process Crosby integrates by having lawyers and engineers literally staggered at desks to foster constant collaboration.
This close integration ensures that while AI handles the bulk of the repetitive tasks, human lawyers maintain oversight, especially for nuanced decisions involving risk allocation and legal interpretation. The goal is not to eliminate human involvement but to elevate it, allowing lawyers to focus on high-value, strategic work. Crosby's mission is to build a better legal infrastructure, leveraging technology to empower legal professionals and streamline processes that have remained largely unchanged for decades.
