AI has made it easier for lawyers to build their own software. It has also made it easier to underestimate what comes next. In episode 641 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Nick Coleman, founder and CEO of LexMed, about when law firms should build their own AI tools and when buying an existing platform makes more sense.
Nick shares how frustrations in his Social Security disability practice led him to create tools that connect medical evidence with complex legal requirements. They explore how AI can make more thorough advocacy possible when time and case economics limit what lawyers can realistically do.
The conversation also examines the responsibilities behind custom software, including security, maintenance, regulatory updates, and ongoing support. Nick explains why customer feedback and shared expertise remain valuable even when code is easier to create. For lawyers considering a DIY solution, this episode offers a practical look at the work behind a tool they can trust.
Listen to the previous episodes on Legal AI and Smarter Law Firm Technology Decisions
#577 – Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN
#590 – Innovating Without Overwhelm: Practical AI Tips for Lawyers, with Graydon Trusler Apple | Spotify | LTN
#601– Beyond Chatbots: Using Agentic AI in Law Firm Intake, with Matt Spiegel from Lawmatics Apple | Spotify | LTN
#611 – Choosing the Right Legal Tech in the Age of AI, with Scott Clasen Apple | Spotify | LTN
#619 – What Claude Means for Law Firms: AI Skills, Connectors, and Workflow Strategy, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN
Links from the episode:
https://lexmed.ai
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Chapters / Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction01:00 – Why You Shouldn’t Change Speed Going Uphill04:35 – Meet Nick Coleman05:35 – Building AI Around Real Practice Problems07:20 – Using AI to Find What Lawyers Miss09:50 – When Case Economics Limit Client Advocacy13:05 – Giving Every Client the Attention They Deserve14:05 – Turning an Internal Tool into a Business16:15 – Connecting Medical Evidence to Legal Standards18:35 – When to Build and When to Buy20:30 – Why a Working Prototype Is Just the Beginning23:35 – The Hidden Costs of DIY Legal Tech25:30 – What Software Vendors Offer Beyond Code28:20 – Building Better AI Through Customer Feedback31:00 – Learning to Listen as a Founder32:30 – Is SaaS Really Dead?33:20 – Closing Thoughts
