We are excited about the potential of new technologies like generative AI, but we also understand the need for careful exploration. We are working closely with our clients to ensure that generative AI is implemented thoughtfully, while educating our team about the benefits and risks involved. This approach aligns with a core value of our firm – waka hourua (bring on the future).

As technology evolves, it brings new and complex challenges for organisations, a more regulated environment, and new opportunities. Our leading Technology team is providing advice on these issues.

Our adoption of generative AI into our client work is governed by a partner-led team dedicated to investigating AI and how it can be used to advance the legal profession. We believe that AI can offer many benefits to lawyers and clients alike, such as improving efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of legal services. 

As with all advice, we will coordinate our team to ensure that work is undertaken in the most appropriate way. This may include the responsible use of generative AI as required and appropriate.

Our firm’s AI Charter 

We are committed to the responsible use of AI. To foster an environment of trust and open communication, we encourage an ongoing dialogue about our AI technologies and how they are integrated into services we provide.

• We have a long history of identifying, developing and using technology to benefit our clients and people. We are approaching AI-based tools in the same way.
• We will only use AI that we assess to be secure, value-adding, aligned with our core values and consistent with our legal and regulatory obligations.
• We will be transparent with our clients and people about how we use AI, and discussions with our clients and people will inform our use of AI.
• Our people will remain responsible and accountable for all work generated with the assistance of AI. Our use of AI will be subject to the direction and control of our people.

As AI technologies develop, we will continually assess our use of AI and adapt processes to ensure that our use of AI continues to benefit our clients and our people and remains consistent with our core values.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to learn more about our firm’s approach to using AI, please get in touch.

Read our AI Charter

Proven leaders in legal service innovation 

We have a long and rich history of challenging the status quo when it comes to delivering excellent legal service. We are not afraid to test new ideas or take calculated risks to innovate.

AIME

Leveraging the power of Azure, the firm’s in-house gen-AI based chatbot, named AIME was launched in 2023. Configured by the firm’s Information Technology team and contained within the Microsoft Teams environment, AIME has the layers of security applied to this platform, ensuring that internal data entered remains protected and secure, and adheres to privacy laws. 

Obligations Register 

A continuously updated database of around 4000 obligations across approximately 200 Acts, Regulations and Codes delivering a compliance management solution for our clients. The Obligations Register service is designed to identify and understand the New Zealand legislative and regulatory obligations relevant to individual organisations, with our expert lawyers translating legal obligations into clear, plain English summaries and delivering them.

McCarthyFinch 

Launched New Zealand’s first legal AI joint venture to create McCarthyFinch in 2017, with a successful exit to global enterprise legal management software provider Onit in 2020. The creation of McCarthyFinch, and its “AuthorDocs” AI-based legal drafting tool, were extensions of our firm looking at what AI technology advancements mean for us and the legal profession, and how it can enhance our client service.

Safetrac

Founded in 1999, Safetrac is an award-winning leader in online compliance training, dedicated to helping organisations’ build a strong culture of compliance.

Read our AI Charter