As artificial intelligence transitions from experimental applications to everyday use, the legal technology sector is witnessing a significant transformation. Legal technology has long promised to revolutionize the industry but often delivered only incremental changes. Now, AI is becoming seamlessly integrated into the tools lawyers already utilize, suggesting that genuine innovation may be on the horizon.
John Motz, Chief Technology Officer of NetDocuments, has experienced this pivotal moment firsthand. With a background in fintech and AI startups, Motz joined the Utah-based document management company three years ago, drawn by the potential for reinvention in the legal tech space. In a recent conversation, he outlined the importance of embedding AI into existing workflows, the value of semantic search for legal professionals, and the implications of AI for a new generation entering a historically precedent-driven profession.
Motz emphasized the appeal of working in an industry that has historically resisted change. “Legal is an industry that’s done things the same way for a very long time,” he explained. He believes this environment presents a significant opportunity to improve efficiency and workflow. Notably, AI’s evolution mirrors that of email, which was once seen as risky in legal contexts but is now indispensable. Today, law firms appear more receptive to AI than ever before, according to Motz, who noted, “I genuinely haven’t spoken to a single customer who isn’t open to it.” However, he acknowledged the multitude of questions firms have about implementation and best practices.
NetDocuments has recently launched new AI capabilities aimed at embedding intelligence across its platform rather than as a standalone tool. For example, semantic search allows users to pose contextual queries in natural language, a feature that many legal professionals have long desired. “Semantic search changes how people work in a document management system, moving from keyword searches to typing contextual queries,” Motz said. This shift, he believes, addresses concerns about “shadow AI,” where unauthorized tools proliferate within firms. By integrating AI directly into workflows, it becomes a natural part of the legal process.
Looking to the future, Motz anticipates that AI agents will support a myriad of tasks through enhanced context understanding. He explained, “It allows us to take huge volumes of information and distill them into meaningful, digestible context.” This capability could revolutionize tasks such as analyzing legal clauses, understanding the history of specific legal language, or tracking changes across extensive document sets. As firms begin to incorporate these features, adoption will likely grow organically.
To ensure the development of effective tools, Motz’s team collaborates closely with legal professionals. “We’re investing not just in technology but in people,” he said. The company hires lawyers who work directly with customers to gain insights into real-world workflows. This hands-on experience is vital for engineers who need to understand the problems they are solving. “Engineers are great at solving problems, but they need to see those problems firsthand,” Motz noted.
On a personal level, Motz utilizes AI for a variety of tasks, including concept generation and summarization. He experiments with AI agents in his free time and observes rapid improvements in their capabilities. “What’s remarkable is how much better it’s getting, almost week by week,” he remarked.
As younger generations enter the workforce, their familiarity with AI presents both opportunities and challenges for the legal profession. Many students currently use AI tools in their academic settings, raising questions about how they will adapt to a profession that historically emphasizes traditional methods. Some law firms mandate that junior lawyers perform tasks without AI, while others are embracing the technology fully. Motz believes that this next generation will expect AI to be an integral part of their daily workflows.
In a final, lighter note, when asked about his coffee preferences, Motz simply stated, “Black. Preferably an espresso.” This reflects his straightforward approach to both technology and daily life.
See also
OpenAI’s Rogue AI Safeguards: Decoding the 2025 Safety Revolution
US AI Developments in 2025 Set Stage for 2026 Compliance Challenges and Strategies
Trump Drafts Executive Order to Block State AI Regulations, Centralizing Authority Under Federal Control
California Court Rules AI Misuse Heightens Lawyer’s Responsibilities in Noland Case
Policymakers Urged to Establish Comprehensive Regulations for AI in Mental Health
