Sarah Hirebet

PHILADELPHIA — Setting a new standard for law firm professional development and leadership in generative artificial intelligence (gen AI), Stradley Ronon has partnered with global legal intelligence pioneer vLex to create a customized, robust training program for its lawyers and business professionals, anchored in applied learning theory with concrete, clearly defined learning goals.

Through the program, Stradley Labs Legal Gen AI Drivers Certification, lawyers and business professionals study a set of core competencies delivered through hands-on practice, hackathons and gamification, modeling best practices and use cases for vLex’s Vincent AI — a precision-engineered AI assistant that adapts to workflows; learns preferences; and delivers tailored insights, research and automation — and public tools like ChatGPT.

“Generative AI is opening the door to a whole new world of exciting possibilities in the delivery of excellent client service. As part of the firm’s first Stradley Labs cohort, I was able to experience firsthand how these programs are shaping the future of law through a thoughtful and engaging lens. Now, as a certified Gen AI Driver, I can say that the Stradley Labs program has reinforced my excitement for the work that we’re doing and the future that we’re building for our firm and our clients,” said Michael O’Mara, managing partner at Stradley Ronon.

“Leveraging vLex’s understanding of the realities of today’s legal practice, we were able to collectively shape a program that not only trains our lawyers but engages them using applied learning techniques and innovative technology,” said Sarah Hirebet, director of knowledge management at Stradley Ronon. “Our first cohort, which included 30 partners, associates and business professionals, completed the 13-session Stradley Labs, and are now ready to integrate gen AI thoughtfully and ethically into their practice.”    

The Stradley Labs curriculum includes:

• Engaging with focused, substantive video or interactive infographic primers each week.
• Coming together for live application, peer sharing of use cases, and hypothetical exploration of ethics questions.
• Taking advantage of small-group and one-on-one guidance to apply each new set of skills experientially inside Vincent AI.
• Participating in practical exercises and live-course sessions and a hackathon.
• Relying on accessible web-based resource pages with checklists and sample communications.

“Stradley Labs is far more than just a primer on gen AI — it represents a transformation in how we prepare lawyers and legal professionals to be future-ready in the ways they use gen AI thoughtfully, productively and ethically,” said Anusia Gillespie, enterprise lead at vLex. “Stradley Ronon is a firm that is known for its results-oriented client work, as well as its collaborative approach. And Stradley Labs exemplifies that. We are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking program.”

As a part of our commitment to developing future-focused lawyers, associates can qualify for billable-hour credit on approved learning projects with our Knowledge Management & Innovation team. Participants in Stradley Labs also receive 13 CLE credits.

About Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young,  LLP
Counseling clients since 1926, Stradley Ronon has helped private and public companies — from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations — achieve their goals by providing pragmatic, value-driven legal counsel. With offices coast to coast, our lawyers seamlessly address the full spectrum of our clients’ needs, ranging from sophisticated corporate transactions to complex commercial litigation.

About vLex
vLex has pioneered legal intelligence and AI-powered research since its founding in Barcelona in 2000. By combining the world's most extensive legal database with cutting-edge AI, vLex has redefined how legal professionals access, analyze and apply knowledge, setting new standards for precision and efficiency across the legal industry. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, and serving customers in over 110 countries, vLex is continuously advancing the boundaries of what's possible for lawyers. Discover the future of legal research and practice at www.vlex.com.