Why Traditional Fee Models Are Dying and What AI Can Do About It: The Playbook by Kaweh Resasade

July 10, 2025 Joe Stephens

In the legal industry today, one simply cannot afford to be afraid of AI anymore: it's not only changing the way law firms work and bill for their services, it’s changing the way lawyers bring their work to life.

In the latest episode of Between the Briefs, hosts Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens invite Kaweh Resasade, a dual-qualified competition lawyer and digital transformation expert, for an illuminating discussion on AI and blockchain's impact on the legal industry. From exploring how AI could revolutionize document review and email management to examining blockchain's potential for ensuring data integrity, this episode offers crucial insights into legal tech's future.

Listen in for the critical reminder on why law firms need to adapt their traditional billable hour model, how emerging technologies are reshaping client expectations, and what the next frontier of legal innovation might look like.

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

About the Contributors

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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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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