The law firm of the future may look less like a pyramid — and more like an obelisk
Trial lawyer Christopher Kercher is launching a new law firm that utilizes AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to handle high-stakes corporate litigation with a much smaller staff. He aims to move away from the traditional 'pyramid' law firm structure toward a leaner 'obelisk' model.
Why it matters
This reflects a broader trend of professional services firms using generative AI to disrupt traditional labor-intensive business models.
Christopher Kercher says he's "not going to rebuild the pyramid." Courtesy of Christopher Kercher Trial lawyer Christopher Kercher is building his own law firm after 17 years at Quinn Emanuel. He expects to handle high-stakes corporate disputes with far fewer lawyers on staff. Kercher's bet is that lawyers who use tools like ChatGPT or Claude can offer faster, better service. After 17 years at Quinn Emanuel , Christopher Kercher began building his new law firm from the line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney World. With Claude on his phone, he cruised through some of the chores that come with starting a firm. Five years ago, Kercher said, the sheer hassle might have persuaded him to give up. Artificial intelligence removed enough of the friction to make striking out on his own feel possible.
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