Shoosmiths launches AI-powered contract review platform developed with Microsoft support

Olivia Thorne (she/her) is the content manager at LawCareers.Net

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Shoosmiths has unveiled Project Apollo, a self-developed generative AI contract review platform built with support from Microsoft and trained on the firm's legal know-how. The tool is now being deployed across the firm following a year-long build and pilot programme.

Project Apollo has been designed to help lawyers review contracts more quickly while also supporting the development of junior lawyers through real-time learning, according to Shoosmiths.

The firm’s Chief Executive David Jackson said: "With our platform, developing lawyers can learn more, faster. Our self-developed generative AI software enables the firm to deploy its collective dealmaking expertise at scale, allowing lawyers to not only see what amendments have been made, but most significantly, why."

Developed by Shoosmiths and running within Microsoft's Azure environment, the platform reviews contracts against playbooks and "gold-standard" drafting derived from the firm's legal expertise. The tool will provide transparent and auditable reasoning, “designed to mirror the way a senior associate would justify changes to a partner” and “providing full visibility into how recommendations are reached”.

The firm said its cumulative legal expertise, including its M&A know-how, has been embedded into the platform's architecture. As a result, lawyers can:

• review contracts more efficiently;
• apply market standards more consistently; and
• make market-informed recommendations at scale.

Shoosmiths added that the playbooks, which are created in line with client expectations, help to ensure that the platform’s mark-ups reflect a client's preferred language, risk profile and commercial position. All output generated by the platform is reviewed and signed off by a senior lawyer.

Jackson added: "We have advised on more M&A deals in the City than any firm for four years running. This puts that experience in the hands of every lawyer in the firm, from day one. Our best-in-class tool will not only cut time in the contract review process for all our lawyers, but it will also enhance the quality and consistency of advice, accelerate deal delivery and fast-track the development of the next generation of lawyers."

Microsoft supported the platform’s development. Darren Hardman, CEO of Microsoft UK & Ireland, commented: "Law firms hold enormous expertise and the challenge is always how to share it. Project Apollo is a strong example of AI doing what it does best: taking the knowledge of Shoosmiths' most experienced lawyers and making it available to everyone in the firm, at every stage of their career.

"The fact that it explains its reasoning at every step makes it a genuine learning tool, not just a productivity one. That's what good AI adoption looks like, and we're proud to have supported them in building it."

Shoosmiths said its decision to invest in building proprietary AI technology more than a year ago reflected an early move away from off-the-shelf AI solutions and supports the firm's innovation-led growth strategy. Project Apollo is one of a range of AI solutions developed by the firm and forms part of its wider legal technology programme.

The launch follows the introduction of Shoosmiths' AI Fluency Framework, an initiative designed to encourage and assess the effective application of AI in delivering business and client outcomes.

To explore what these developments mean for aspiring lawyers, register for our upcoming event with The University of Law, Shoosmiths and Michelmores LLP. The session, ‘Preparing for a legal career in the age of AI’, will unpack how AI is shaping the profession and what skills you’ll need to succeed.