The Law Society is making quality AI-enabled tools easier for lawyers to access, regardless of firm size, location or budget, says Representative Services and Strategy General Manager Amanda Woodbridge.

“We already offer several AI-enabled research tools in our libraries and lawyer rooms across the motu and we’ve been looking to extend those”, she says.

Protégé is an AI-powered assistant designed to support legal professionals to undertake research, prepare client documentation and complete complex legal tasks in a secure AI legal environment. Grounded in authoritative legal content, it’s designed to complement traditional legal research methods.

“Protégé gives lawyers another practical way to explore how AI may support their work, alongside the research services and professional guidance already available through the Law Society,” Amanda says.

Any practising lawyer can access Protégé using their own device and connecting to the Law Society wi-fi at any of the Law Society’s 36 locations across the motu – Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch libraries as well as lawyers’ rooms.

Protégé adds to a suite of AI-enabled services already available through the Law Society Library. These include Lexis Argument Analyser and CCH iKnowConnect as well as case citation checking services. Lawyers can also request Law Society library staff to conduct legal research using Westlaw’s AI-Assisted Research on their behalf.

For guidance about using AI in your practice, as well as information on AI resources, tools and learning, visit the AI Hub.