Christopher Kercher Launches LitiAI, an AI-Driven Litigation Firm
Christopher Kercher founded LitiAI, a litigation firm built around AI-driven legal services.
Why it matters: Law firms increasingly adopt AI to meet client demands for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. LitiAI exemplifies this shift toward integrating AI at the core of litigation practice.
- Christopher Kercher founded LitiAI in August 2026 after 17 years at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.
- LitiAI uses AI tools for document review, case strategy, and litigation workflow to reduce costs and improve outcomes.
- McDermott Will & Emery appointed Josh Simon in July 2026 to lead AI adoption for over 250 litigators.
- Josh Simon highlights AI’s role in accelerating discovery and increasing accuracy in litigation tasks.
Christopher Kercher, after 17 years as a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, formally launched LitiAI in August 2026, a litigation firm focused on integrating artificial intelligence throughout its legal services. According to Legaltech News, LitiAI applies AI technologies to streamline key litigation functions such as document review, case strategy development, and overall workflow management, aiming to lower costs and increase effectiveness for clients.
This move reflects a broader trend in the legal industry where firms are incorporating AI to enhance productivity and differentiate their offerings. For example, McDermott Will & Emery, a global law firm with a Litigation Practice Group comprising more than 250 litigators, appointed Josh Simon in July 2026 to lead their AI adoption initiatives. Simon noted that AI tools significantly speed up discovery processes and improve precision, helping deliver faster, more cost-effective outcomes for clients. His appointment was formally announced on McDermott Will & Emery’s website.
Kercher’s establishment of LitiAI marks a shift toward specialized litigation firms structured around AI capabilities rather than traditional practice models. The term "boutique" here refers to a smaller firm focused on a specialized segment—in this case, AI-enabled litigation services integrated deeply into daily work.
Clients increasingly demand expedited, cost-efficient legal solutions, which AI facilitates by automating labor-intensive tasks such as document review and predictive analytics. Kercher emphasized that AI is intended to augment lawyers’ expertise, enhancing precision and responsiveness rather than replacing human judgment.
Unlike traditional firms where technology tends to support existing processes, LitiAI centers AI as a core driver of service delivery. This approach signals innovation in litigation practice, aligning with market trends toward AI adoption to meet evolving client expectations.
By the numbers:
- 17 years — Christopher Kercher’s tenure at Quinn Emanuel before founding LitiAI
- August 2026 — Launch date of LitiAI
- 250+ litigators — Size of McDermott Will & Emery’s Litigation Practice Group
Yes, but: While LitiAI’s AI-centric model represents an innovative approach, it remains to be seen how clients will respond long term given the limited track record of fully AI-integrated law firms.
What's next: Watch for further AI adoption announcements from major law firms in late 2026, as litigation groups increasingly invest in technology-led efficiency.