"I thought it was a tool for large corporate law firms" - Shirasaki Shikataka Law Office introduces Legalscape as a case study for small firms

Legalscape Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Itsuki Yagita; hereinafter "Legalscape") has released a case study on the introduction of its legal research platform "Legalscape" at the Shirasaki Shikataka Law Office / Shirasaki FHR Management and Labor Consulting Office (Osaka Prefecture; Representative Attorney: Shikataka Shirasaki).

The Shirasaki Shikataka Law Office / Shirasaki FHR Management and Labor Consulting Office is a firm with two attorneys and one social insurance labor consultant, handling a wide range of services from corporate consulting for small and medium-sized enterprises to foreign employment law and general civil matters such as divorce and inheritance. They introduced "Legalscape" to improve research efficiency in areas where they have limited experience, and are utilizing it not only to shorten research time but also for case law searches, seminar planning, and writing columns.

Full Introduction Case Study Interview Now Available

A detailed interview article regarding this introduction can be viewed at the following URL:

URL: https://www.legalscape.jp/case/shirasaki-law

Background: Research in areas with limited experience becomes a challenge

The Shirasaki Shikataka Law Office / Shirasaki FHR Management and Labor Consulting Office, based in Osaka, provides legal services, labor management services, and foreign employment law services. While focusing on consulting for small and medium-sized enterprises, they also handle a wide range of general civil matters such as divorce and inheritance. In 2024, they established an affiliated social insurance labor consultant office to provide integrated support for labor-related consultations.

A challenge that arose while responding to a wide range of consultations was research in areas where they had limited experience. Previously, they relied on internet searches and subscription services for e-books, but a more efficient research method was needed. Furthermore, due to concerns about hallucinations (generation of incorrect information) with general-purpose AI, they were considering introducing a tool specialized for legal work.

It was during this time that they learned about "Legalscape," which had been gaining a good reputation on social media, and after a trial period, they decided to formally introduce it.

Main Uses and Results of Introduction

Impact on Recruitment: The ability to utilize legal tech is an appealing point for job seekers, as indicated by the explicit mention in recruitment materials: "Upon joining, a Legalscape account will be provided."

Reduced Research Time and Faster Client Response: Research time has been shortened, allowing for quicker responses to questions from clients. In a case involving the Real Estate Business Act, where they had no prior experience, information gathering that would have previously taken 3-4 hours was completed in just a few tens of minutes.

Utilization of Follow-up and Suggestion Functions: The primary usage involves posing a general question and then deepening the consideration using the "follow-up function." Additionally, the suggested questions presented by the "suggestion function" are also used as starting points for consideration.

Creation of Comparison Tables and Application to Seminars/Columns: It is also used to create comparison tables by instructing it to "summarize by item." The scope of its application extends beyond legal research to planning training sessions and seminars, as well as writing column articles for their website.

Utilization of Case Law Search Function (D1-Law.com Case Law System Integration): By using the case law search function integrated with "D1-Law.com Case Law System," they can efficiently review relevant court decisions. This has also led to improved accuracy in the references and court decisions cited in documents.

Comments

Shikataka Shirasaki, Representative Attorney, Shirasaki Shikataka Law Office / Shirasaki FHR Management and Labor Consulting Office

"Before introducing it, I had the impression that it was a tool for large corporate law firms, but after using it in a trial, I realized it is a useful tool for small firms like ours and for general practitioners. It contains a wide range of practical books, not just limited to corporate law, and it's easy to find reference materials that reflect the latest trends, such as the legal reform concerning joint custody. Research time has been reduced, and we can now answer client questions faster than before. I believe that in the era to come, it will be commonplace for lawyers to master the use of AI, and I feel that starting to use it early to improve the quality and speed of our work is a survival strategy for our firm."

Kenta Ogaki, Attorney, Shirasaki Shikataka Law Office / Shirasaki FHR Management and Labor Consulting Office

"Before joining, I didn't have a concrete image of what kind of tool it was, but I was surprised the first time I used it. During my trainee period, I often struggled with which books to consult, but with Legalscape, you can skip the process of finding that starting point. For junior lawyers, everything tends to take longer compared to experienced lawyers, and I think many of them feel burdened by this. If research becomes more efficient, the extra time can be used for self-study. I myself read the books included on the train during my commute."

Company Profile: Shirasaki Shikataka Law Office / Shirasaki FHR Management and Labor Consulting Office

Representative: Shikataka Shirasaki, Representative Attorney

Location: Godai Building 702, 2-1-4 Higashi-Tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka City

Business Activities: Consulting for small and medium-sized enterprises, foreign employment law, general civil matters focusing on divorce and inheritance, labor management services

About the Legal Research Platform "Legalscape"

"Legalscape" is a legal research platform that began service in June 2021. It uses AI to instantly summarize necessary legal information, allowing for the fastest access to what users want to know.

▼ "Legalscape" Service Site

https://www.legalscape.jp/

▼ Service Brochure Download

Detailed brochures for "Legalscape" can be downloaded here:

https://www.legalscape.jp/contact

In September 2023, we were the first in Japan to introduce an AI research function that combines generative AI with our proprietary natural language processing technology. (*). We have been favored by legal professionals nationwide, including the "Big Five" law firms, major corporate legal departments, community-based law firms, and social insurance labor consultant and judicial scrivener offices, for our next-generation experience that allows for an overview of books, laws, precedents, and guidelines at a glance, as well as access to the industry's largest content library (over 4,500 books, totaling over 44,000 items).

About Legalscape Inc.

Legalscape is a legal data & AI company with the purpose of "Implementing the Future Legal Society through the Co-creation of People and Technology." Leveraging its strengths in advanced natural language processing technology and fundamental research and application of generative AI in the legal field, the company aims to realize a richer legal society by supporting intellectual production related to law and delivering legal knowledge more accurately, swiftly, and to all corners of society.

Company Overview

Company Name: Legalscape Inc.

Representative: Itsuki Yagita, President and CEO

Location: Todai-mae Office (Headquarters)

8th Floor, Todai-mae HiRAKU GATE, 2-3-10 Mukogaoka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0023

Established: September 14, 2017

Official Website: https://www.legalscape.jp/corp

(*) As of September 2023. Based on our own research.