SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz further strengthens its AI expertise: AI Days with international experts on the future of legal practice

SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz is further expanding its expertise in the field of artificial intelligence. This year’s ‘SZA AI Days’, which will take place on 23 and 24 October 2026 in Deidesheim, will focus on the use of artificial intelligence in legal practice. During the two-day training event, the firm’s lawyers will engage in in-depth discussions on specific applications, changes in the legal market and the implications for the business models of commercial law firms.

International experts provide insights into the future of the legal market

The SZA AI Days bring together different perspectives on the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession and the legal market. Alongside internal workshops and practice-oriented sessions, the firm's lawyers will engage in discussions with renowned experts from Germany and the United States.

Tom Brägelmann, an internationally experienced lawyer and expert in digitalisation and artificial intelligence, will lead a hands-on workshop exploring practical applications of frontier models in legal practice. Brägelmann is, among other things, co-editor of the legal handbook “Rechtshandbuch Artificial Intelligence und Machine Learning”.

Zack Shapiro, Managing Partner of the New York-based law firm Rains LLP, will provide insights into the systematic integration of artificial intelligence into the organisation and workflows of a commercial law firm in his presentation entitled “Running a Law Firm on AI”. Shapiro has built his firm around the use of AI-powered technologies and also advises leading US law firms on integrating AI into their legal practice.

Dr. Florian Skupin, Executive Director Legal Technology at Bucerius Law School and Head of the Center for Legal Technology and Data Science and the Bucerius Legal Innovation Hub, will examine the future of the legal market and the structural changes driven by artificial intelligence. He played a key role in the study “Legal Market Economics”, published in 2026, which explores, among other topics, the impact of AI on business models and organisational structures in the legal market.

Targeted training professional development and cross-practice collaboration

The SZA AI Days form part of the firm's ongoing professional development programme in artificial intelligence. In addition to presentations by external experts, the event focuses on hands-on workshops, practical use cases and the exchange of ideas on integrating AI into day-to-day client work.

The aim is to continuously strengthen AI expertise across all practice groups, explore new technological opportunities and discuss their implications for legal practice and the firm's business model.

AI Taskforce and SZA AI Lab: Advancing technological expertise

SZA has been exploring the potential applications of AI in legal services for several years. Established in 2023, the AI Taskforce, led by partners Dr. Philipp Rüppell, Dr. Jonas Fischbach and Dr. Simon Apel, now comprises nearly 20 lawyers from various practice groups. The taskforce monitors technological developments, evaluates new AI applications, identifies practical use cases, supports the implementation of AI solutions and promotes knowledge sharing across practice groups through internal training.

With the SZA AI Lab, the firm develops AI solutions tailored to its clients’ specific needs. A multidisciplinary team led by partners Dr. Jonas Fischbach and Dr. Simon Apel brings together legal and technical expertise to develop customized applications that complement legal advice and streamline processes.

In addition, SZA uses specialised AI applications such as Harvey and Beck-Noxtua in its legal practice. Confidentiality and attorney-client privilege remain top priorities when using AI. All AI-generated work products are carefully reviewed by the firm's lawyers, who retain full responsibility for the results.

By combining targeted professional development, cross-practice knowledge sharing and in-house technological expertise, SZA continues to advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence in legal practice, enhancing efficiency and creating added value for its clients.

SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz has been one of the most respected German business law firms for 125 years. With its lawyers and offices in Frankfurt, Mannheim, Munich, and Brussels, the firm advises national and international clients on all complex legal issues arising in business.