Temple Bright works with AI product developer on landmark legal sector deal

Bristol and London tech specialist law firm Temple Bright has advised the shareholders of Springbok AI on the sale of the business to New York-founded firm Cleary Gottlieb.

The deal is being viewed as a watershed moment for the legal sector as a leading international law firm embraces the in-house development of generative AI.

London-based Springbok AI is an award-winning artificial intelligence product development company launched in 2017 and focusing on technology for the legal sector.

It is probably best known for its flagship product SpringLaw, which quickly became Dentons’ and Charles Russell Speechlys’ most-adopted legal technology of all time.

While commentators note that it is rare for a law firm to acquire a tech business, Cleary has chosen a pioneering path by bringing AI expertise in-house instead of relying on external providers.

Cleary said that this would enable it to develop its own bespoke products at an accelerated pace.

The firm has brought on board Springbok AI’s co-founder and CEO Victoria Albrecht, pictured, and a 10-person team of data scientists and engineers, who will make up a new team within the firm.

Springbok AI has previously partnered with other major international law firms, including Dentons and Hogan Lovells, in developing bespoke AI tools and market-leading products for the sector.

Springbok AI’s shareholders were advised on the deal by a team at Temple Bright led by corporate partner Stuart Hutson, pictured, who said: “It was a privilege to advise the owners of Springbok AI on this landmark transaction in the legal technology space.

“This is obviously a hugely important deal for our clients and a just reward for many years of innovative work in the legal sector.

“Victoria and the Springbok AI team bring their expertise to a high-profile international law firm with the resources and reach to realise the full potential of generative AI for lawyers.

“It was a pleasure working with the Springbok AI team and our counterparts at Cleary. The collaborative spirit in which the deal process was conducted bodes well for an exciting and fruitful collaboration, which is likely to have results that with a significant positive impact across the profession.

“We at Temple Bright will be watching with fascination as this partnership develops.”

Cleary managing partner Michael Gerstenzang said Cleary’s innovation strategy was focused on the integration of AI and data analytics into its workflows, as a means to elevate its delivery of legal services to clients.

“The acquisition of Springbok immediately enables us to create custom AI-powered solutions – something that sets us apart from many of our competitors,” he added.

Springbok AI co-founder Victoria Albrecht said: “Cleary has never been one to follow trends – they set them. While others waited to see how AI would reshape legal workflows, Cleary stood out to me as a firm that acts.

“The firm shares our core vision that AI technology isn’t just a tool, but a fundamental shift in how premium legal services will be delivered: faster, smarter, and more transparently. We’re excited to bring our technology and capabilities in-house at Cleary and provide leadership in their AI journey.”

She said the acquisition was a crucial deal for Springbok AI and Temple Bright exceeded expectations at every step.

“We really benefited from the firm’s model, dealing with experienced partners on all aspects,” she added.

“Stuart and his colleagues balanced familiarity with the detail with a clear grasp of the commercial ‘big picture’ and our wider aims. And perhaps most importantly, they were a pleasure to work with as people, too.”

Stuart Hutson was supported on the deal by Temple Bright partners Dan Pearce (IP & technology), Tom Farman (employment) and Carol Buchanan (tax).

Temple Bright was launched in Bristol in 2010 using a tech-enabled, streamlined business model. It opened its second office in London EC2 in 2013 and now has more than 75 partners, evenly spread across the two locations. The firm advises clients ranging from start-ups to PLCs across a range of sectors, with significant expertise in technology.

Temple Bright co-founder Tim Summers said: “It is exciting for us, as lawyers, to be involved in a deal which is so significant for the legal sector.

“For a large international firm like Cleary to commit itself so decisively to the AI revolution, through this acquisition, sends out a clear signal that AI has the potential to transform our profession and that firms need to move with the times or risk being left behind.”