Extract from Kristy Esparza’s article, “What Legal AI Watchers See That Practitioners Don’t.”
“Law is probably the hardest of all the fields of knowledge work to transform with AI.”
That’s not a skeptic talking; it’s Richard Tromans, founder of Artificial Lawyer, who has spent more than a decade covering legal technology. And … he’s not wrong, is he?
As someone who studies and reports on the legal profession rather than practicing inside it, I find Tromans has a unique view of this industry that many of our readers aren’t privy to. He sees things from the outside looking in, unencumbered by the blind spots that come from being too close to the work.
That outside perspective is invaluable. So today, for the practitioners inside the firms and courtrooms, we’re spotlighting three 2026 AI Visionaries with unique “outsider” (in the very best way) perspectives: Professor Michael Legg, legal profession and education researcher; Oliver Roberts, legal AI educator; and Richard Tromans himself.
Let’s dive into what they’re seeing.
