M&A partner runs 20+ deals on AI, but 'build, baby, build' isn't a strategy
jkubicki · x · 2026-11-03
jkubicki observes that most law firms are building AI first and hoping a business model shows up later, via two paths:
- Path 1, the partner: one M&A partner scaled from 7-10 simultaneous deals to 20-something using off-the-shelf AI plus one legal-specific product daily, making the economics work through volume with quality holding. But it pulls up the ladder — less work flows to associates. "Works today, doesn't work in five years."
- Path 2, the firm: firms building tools and workflows everywhere, then reverse-engineering strategy from a pile of pilots — much harder.
His conclusion: one path scales a person, the other searches for a reason to exist — but neither is a strategy. A strategy means deciding how the firm wins, then building from that.
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