Kilpatrick Launches AI Research Program

Kilpatrick law firm launches Kilpatrick Labs, an in-house AI program running 15+ initiatives across legal operations.

Kilpatrick, a global law firm, launched Kilpatrick Labs on June 5, 2026, a dedicated AI research and development program built and operated on the firm's own infrastructure to develop AI tools for attorneys, staff, and clients.

The launch marks a significant shift in how large law firms approach technology. Rather than licensing external software, Kilpatrick has built an internal engineering team to develop, deploy, and operate AI tools directly inside the firm.

Program Scope

Kilpatrick Labs currently operates more than 15 initiatives across production, pilot, and early-stage development. These span patent and trademark prosecution, litigation monitoring, billing automation, and client-facing legal applications.

The program runs on an in-house Model Context Protocol (MCP) platform. MCP is a technical standard that allows AI systems to connect with and call upon other software tools. Kilpatrick's platform connects 17 of the firm's enterprise systems through this architecture.

Several tools are already in active use on client engagements. The firm also runs an open intake channel where attorneys and staff can submit new automation ideas for development.

Infrastructure Design

Kilpatrick Labs operates entirely on the firm's on-premises infrastructure. This means client and matter data does not leave the firm's secure environment, even as attorneys access AI capabilities.

Charles Gray, Partner at Kilpatrick and leader of Kilpatrick Labs, explained the reasoning: "We didn't want to bolt AI onto the practice. We wanted to rebuild around it. Standing up Kilpatrick Labs as its own program, with engineering inside the firm, was the only way to do that without losing control over our clients' data or our attorneys' judgment."

The firm combines external platforms, including Harvey and Gemini, with tools built internally by its own engineering team. All AI use at the firm falls under Kilpatrick's Generative Artificial Intelligence Ethical and Responsible Use Policy, which sets requirements around client consent and attorney responsibility.

AI and Attorney Roles

Kilpatrick has adopted a "human-in-the-loop at every gate" design principle. Under this model, AI handles extraction, scoring, drafting, and audit tasks, while attorneys retain final decision authority.

Gray described the goal: "The point is to give every attorney a senior associate's worth of leverage on the parts of the work that benefit from it so they can spend their judgment where it actually matters."

This approach reflects a broader industry trend of law firms building internal software engineering teams alongside traditional practice groups, rather than relying solely on third-party legal tech vendors.

Client-Facing Products

Beyond internal tools, Kilpatrick has begun building custom AI applications as part of client engagements. One example is a clearance triage application, a tool that helps evaluate trademark clearance decisions, co-developed directly with clients.

Gray noted the shift in what clients now expect: "Our clients increasingly want software, not just memos. Tools like our clearance triage app are where the line between legal counsel and legal product starts to blur, and we'd rather be the firm building those products with our clients."

This emerging service model positions the firm to deliver productized legal applications alongside traditional legal advice, going beyond standard document automation.

The firm's early investment in AI infrastructure supports this direction. Kilpatrick launched Kwery, a secure internal generative AI platform within its Microsoft Azure environment, in mid-2023, ahead of broader industry adoption. Nearly three years of operating that platform has given the firm's attorneys and staff hands-on experience with the technology.

About Kilpatrick

Kilpatrick is a full-service law firm with recognized strength in the technology sector. The firm serves clients across industries, with a focus on delivering practical, business-oriented legal solutions. Kilpatrick Labs operates as a dedicated program within the firm, focused on developing and deploying AI tools for legal practice and client service.