Everyone Wants AI to Think Like a Lawyer. That's the Problem. ft. Colin Levy

September 24, 2026 Adrian Cea

Legal AI has no shortage of promises. Now, the real challenge is figuring out which ones are worth adopting.

In this episode of Between the Briefs, Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens sit down with Colin Levy, General Counsel at Malbek, legal tech author, and educator, to discuss how lawyers can adopt AI thoughtfully without sacrificing professional judgment.

What You’ll Learn:

Why the biggest obstacle to AI adoption is often lawyer mindset, not the technology itself
How to distinguish meaningful AI capabilities from legal tech marketing hype
Why testing AI with real legal workflows is more valuable than watching polished product demonstrations
How to build realistic expectations for AI by treating it as an assistant, not an infallible expert
Why human judgment remains the defining skill that AI cannot replace
How junior lawyers can develop confidence in evaluating AI-generated work despite having less practical experience
Why legal tech vendors should focus on education and partnership instead of overselling AI
How law schools can prepare future lawyers by embedding AI literacy throughout legal education rather than treating it as a standalone subject

This episode explores how lawyers can make smarter technology decisions, and build a future where legal expertise and artificial intelligence work together, not against each other.

Want to watch this episode of Between the Briefs instead? Get the full video on YouTube.

About the Contributors

Adrian Cea

Adrian Cea is Steno's Social Media Manager, leading content strategy, audience engagement, and digital brand-building across platforms. He also produces and co-hosts Between the Briefs, Steno's podcast covering the intersection of legal technology, court reporting, and the future of litigation. With a background spanning content creation, field marketing, and sales at companies like Sell Better and Chili Piper, Adrian brings a multi-disciplined lens to making complex legal tech topics accessible and engaging.

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Joe Stephens

Joe Stephens, J.D., is Steno's Director of Legal Solutions as well as a Clinical Lecturer at Texas Tech University School of Law. With over 15 years of experience in criminal defense and public service, he founded and led Texas' largest rural public defender office, which serves a 12-county area. A graduate of The University of Texas School of Law (cum laude) and Vanderbilt University (B.A.), Stephens currently serves as a Board Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association (TCDLA) and sits on multiple State Bar of Texas committees. His expertise spans the intersection of legal practice and technological innovation in the justice system.

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