Examples of how we are engaging with GenAI across the firm
Partnered with the University of Sydney Business School’s Sydney Executive Plus+ to run a cohort of 90 people through an AI Fluency Sprint. A second cohort will undertake the sprint in early 2025.
November 2024
Increasing AI fluency
Early access trial of Relativity aiR for Review, identifying use case across litigation and investigations matters. Relativity aiR is integrated with Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI services, ensuring client data stays secure within our RelativityOne instance.
September 2024
Relativity aiR pilot
September 2024
hsf.AI
Recognising the pace of GenAI developments, We launched an internal Digital Academy AI Boxset for all staff – a series of resources including articles, podcasts and educational materials.
December 2023
Capability development
360 people participated in a pilot of a private ChatGPT service on the Microsoft cloud platform significantly enhancing our understanding of how we can use GenAI tools.
ChatGPT pilot
October 2023
Released hsf.AI (version 2 of our private instance of ChatGPT) for secure use by our entire workforce within the firm’s IT environment.
August 2025
We are undertaking a pilot of Harvey, a secure AI tool that helps legal teams draft, review, and research documents more efficiently
Harvey
July 2025
We are now using Wexler, an AI-powered document review tool designed for complex disputes, to support some of our disputes workflows.
Wexler
AUGUST 2025
Adding to CoCounsel Core, UK, US, and EMEA will pilot CoCounsel Drafting, integrating the tool with Microsoft Word.
CoCounsel Drafting pilot
August 2024
Document review and contract analysis, particularly for due diligence processes in the Corporate sector.
Luminance Diligence pilot
2024
Copilot integrated within Microsoft 365 applications, designed to simplify work, inspire creativity and help with tasks such as creating content, writing, brainstorming, fact-finding, and reviewing and editing documents.
Copilot for Microsoft 365
October 2024
One of the first global law firms to commence a 12-month pilot of Thomson Reuters’ CoCounsel, a generative AI platform to enhance certain legal tasks, driving productivity and efficiency improvements.
CoCounsel Core pilot
January 2024
A group of over 250 people participated in an initial pilot of Copilot for Microsoft 365 in early 2024, allowing us to explore and use the tool's capabilities firsthand.
Initial Copilot for Microsoft 365 trial
September 2017
The report, Artificial Intelligence: The client perspective, reveals that clients want their legal providers to focus on collaboration, new ways of service delivery and talent development.
Report on AI impact on legal practice
June 2023
Research conducted by Herbert Smith Freehills reveals that just 5 percent of UK consumers are unconcerned about the growing presence of AI in everyday life. Only 20 percent say they have a high level of faith that AI systems are trustworthy.
Research into consumer trust in AI
August 2024
Global Director of Generative AI appointed to lead Centre of Excellence – a new global team focused on seizing the opportunities presented by GenAI and strengthening the firm, and the service we deliver to clients, for a future shaped by digital innovation.
Generative AI Centre of Excellence
November 2024
Global pilot of this end-to-end AI platform commenced, to trial advanced contract analysis and review technology with a focus on risk analysis, automated review and contract content search.
Luminance Corporate pilot
May 2025
From May 2025, we’re piloting Jigsaw Create’s AI- driven features to transform sketches into clear structure diagrams and map timeline from an email chain, showcasing how AI integrations in everyday tools can drive efficiency across our firm.
Jigsaw Create pilot
2025
We are undertaking a pilot of Cicero, an AI powered litigation tool designed for complex disputes and investigations
Cicero
