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DeepIP hosted a fireside chat to explore how AI is transforming IP practice. The discussion featured François-Xavier (FX) Leduc, DeepIP’s CEO, and Andre Marais, Principal at Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner (SLW), one of the most prolific patent drafting firms in the U.S. Together, they shared insights into how SLW integrates AI tools like DeepIP to enhance efficiency and quality of their practice.
Andre Marais is a Principal at Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner (SLW). With over 32 years of experience in intellectual property law—Andre specializes in software, electrical, and mechanical technologies. A staunch advocate for innovation and automation, he brings a forward-thinking approach to IP practice, particularly in integrating AI solutions like DeepIP into law firm workflows.
Impact of AI in the IP Landscape / the Broader Workflow
FX: Andre, let’s start with the bigger picture. How do you see AI changing the IP landscape, particularly for large firms like SLW?
Andre: Honestly, it’s touching every aspect of our practice, in every way imaginable. In the back office, we’re already using AI to automate routine tasks. One area we’re especially excited about is budget projections—helping clients understand what their spending will look like. That’s a big pain point for many of them, and AI is making a real difference there.
We’re also using AI in portfolio management and strategy, like deciding which cases to approve or cut. Patent portfolio hygiene is crucial—nobody wants to waste resources on low-value applications. AI is helping us decide where to focus, where to file, and what areas offer the best return for clients. There’s also a lot happening in portfolio analytics, whether it’s freedom-to-operate work, evidence-of-use mapping, or even standard-essential patent mapping.
And, of course, as a boutique firm focused on patent drafting and prosecution, AI is fundamentally changing how we work in those areas. It’s not just improving efficiency—it’s reshaping the entire process.
FX: Where do you see AI having a dramatic impact on an attorney’s work, and where do you believe human intelligence will remain irreplaceable?
Andre: At a high level, we’re seeing AI take over the more labor-intensive, routine tasks that were typically handled by junior attorneys or law clerks. Things like legal research or summarizing large volumes of documents are now done efficiently by AI. This is changing how we approach training. The big challenge for us is figuring out the best way to train young attorneys. Should we go AI-native from the start or stick with traditional methods and introduce AI later? Right now, we’re taking a hybrid approach.
The exciting part is that AI can help junior attorneys get up to speed much faster. They’re able to tackle more projects in less time, which accelerates their development. This is similar to what’s happening in fields like programming, where AI can perform tasks at the level of a junior professional but not yet match the expertise of a seasoned expert.
In our world of IP, particularly in patent preparation, AI is increasing the speed at which we can deliver things like specifications and office action responses. It’s also making projects that were previously uneconomical more feasible, allowing us to create better, more detailed patent specifications.
What’s not changing, though, is the human element—client relationships remain critical. Meetings with inventors and in-house counsel are irreplaceable. AI can support these interactions, but it won’t replace the strategic advice attorneys bring to the table. Drafting claims and creating drawings are areas where human expertise is essential. That’s where patent attorneys’ strategic thinking really shines, and AI just isn’t there yet. So, while AI is reshaping some aspects of our work, the core human-driven elements remain intact.
FX: Do you see the structure of patent law firms evolving in terms of organization and competencies?
Andre: That’s a great question. Honestly, we’re not expecting major structural changes right now. The focus is on getting our attorneys AI-literate and trained. There’s always the question of whether AI means needing fewer people to handle the same workload, and the answer is potentially yes. But at the same time, with the growing number of inventions being generated, we anticipate an uptick in filings. So, while we can do more work with the same number of people, there’s still plenty to keep us busy.
AI is also enabling us to offer services we couldn’t before. That’s exciting because it means attorneys will spend less time on routine, mundane tasks and more on what I’d call the “fun stuff”—crafting claims, creating drawings, and working on detailed descriptions. So, while the structure might not change much, the nature of the work is evolving in a way that lets us focus on more creative and strategic aspects of patent law.
FX: Let’s talk about your clients. What are their main concerns about AI, and how do you help them understand its impact and value?
Andre: The biggest concern we hear from clients is around security and compliance. They worry about their confidential information being used to train AI models. To address that, we’ve put strict policies in place and carefully vet all the solutions we use to ensure data security and confidentiality. We also prioritize using US-based systems to ensure data doesn’t leave the country.
Another concern is what’s often called “AI inventorship”—clients want to make sure AI isn’t inadvertently contributing inventorship in a way that complicates patent claims. To manage this, we’ve structured our prompts very deliberately. AI is confined to working with the context provided in documents, unless explicitly directed by the attorney. This approach keeps AI usage focused and avoids potential inventorship issues.
We’re transparent with clients, sharing our internal use policies and explaining how we vet vendors and software. This clarity helps build trust and ensures they’re comfortable with how AI is integrated into our work.
AI at SLW
FX: Can you share what challenges drove SLW to embrace AI?
Andre: Honestly, our decision to adopt AI wasn’t so much about addressing challenges but more about excitement over the opportunities it presents. In my 32 years of practice, this is by far the most exciting development I’ve seen. AI lets us do things that were previously impractical or uneconomical, which is opening up new service offerings and improving the services we already provide.
That said, there are challenges we’re addressing. Patent budgets, especially from large filers, have been stagnant for years, even as the demands on patent quality and detail keep increasing. We’re writing more complex applications to meet stricter patentability standards imposed by patent offices and courts worldwide. With stagnant or even declining budgets, this situation was becoming unsustainable. AI has been a much-needed solution, helping us manage these pressures.
Another issue is the shrinking number of attorneys with less than 10 years of experience, which reflects the financial constraints on patent prosecution. Firms simply can’t pay enough to attract young talent. AI is helping bridge this gap, offering some relief by boosting efficiency and reducing operational strain.
FX: What significant benefits are you seeing in your operations and client value?
Andre: As for the benefits, one of the most exciting is how AI is reducing attorney burnout and fatigue. Patent work is cognitively demanding—learning new technologies, writing applications under tight deadlines—it’s exhausting. AI is like an exoskeleton for our attorneys. Just as soldiers with exoskeletons can carry heavy loads farther, AI extends our attorneys’ mental endurance. They can do deep work for longer periods, moving from four to six hours a day of focused effort to seven or eight.
It’s also making the job more enjoyable. Attorneys are spending less time on routine tasks like drafting detailed descriptions and more time on the “fun stuff”—claims, client interactions, and drawings. The result? Increased job satisfaction and a renewed excitement for the work. It’s a win for both our team and our clients.
Ensuring successful AI adoption
FX: Can you share the key factors that have ensured successful adoption of AI within SLW?
Andre: A big part of ensuring adoption was getting buy-in from our attorneys. We started with some initial announcements and followed up with internal demo meetings where we showed how the tool works. We found that a small group of AI enthusiasts, often our more tech-savvy attorneys—especially those working on software-related patents—naturally became champions of the tool. They’ve been key to spreading enthusiasm and encouraging others to get on board.
To support broader adoption, we organized user meetings tailored to different experience levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced. These meetings were opportunities to share best practices, prompts, and strategies. That peer-to-peer learning has been really effective.
We’ve also introduced one-on-one mentoring. Attorneys who identify as AI beginners are paired with more experienced “AI gurus” for guidance on specific projects. This mentorship program has been well-received, and we’re already hearing success stories from those collaborations. It’s been a gradual, collaborative process, but it’s working.
FX: How fast has the adoption of AI tools been at SLW?
Andre: Adoption has been relatively quick, starting with a small group of early adopters. Over the year since we deployed AI, most attorneys at the firm have at least tried it out to some degree. However, we do see a smaller group using it very heavily.
As with any new software tool, we’ve observed the typical pattern—early adopters dive in first, and the rest follow over a one- to two-year period. That said, we’re actively working to accelerate this adoption process, and it’s exciting to see the momentum building.
Choosing the right AI solution and why DeepIP?
FX: How did you approach the decision to select the right solution for your needs? And ultimately, why DeepIP over other options?
Andre: We started by creating a criteria checklist to evaluate solutions. We spoke with several vendors and focused on a few key factors. First, usability—it had to be easy for attorneys to adopt. Then, features, with an emphasis on accuracy and avoiding hallucinations. For that, we developed a set of test data to run tools through. Customization was also critical. Different attorneys write in different styles, and clients have unique requirements, so the tool needed to adapt to those variations.
Compliance and security were essential, along with scalability and support. And of course, cost was a factor. DeepIP stood out on several fronts. On security, you gave us assurances that inspired confidence—if you’re trusted by the Department of Defense, SAP, and IBM, that’s good enough for us. Your team’s experience before DeepIP also added to our trust.
Usability was another standout feature. The Word plugin was a big deal for us. Many of our attorneys prefer staying in familiar tools like Word, and this allowed them to integrate AI into their workflow seamlessly. The interface was intuitive, which made adoption easier, especially for those less comfortable with AI or new software.
The features were equally impressive. We appreciated the quality of outputs from your standard prompts without much effort on our part, as well as the ability to customize prompts, create chains of thought, and share those prompts across the organization. Attorneys have been able to collaborate and optimize prompts, which has been a real game-changer.
Lastly, your support and responsiveness, along with the pace of iteration on the product, were exceptional. You’ve continuously made improvements based on our feedback, and that commitment to evolving the tool was a major factor in our decision.
About SLW
SLW is a leading IP boutique specializing in patent procurement and strategic portfolio management, filing over 6,500 U.S. and PCT patent applications annually—making it one of the largest drafting firms in the U.S., if not globally.
With over 100 practitioners across Minneapolis, Silicon Valley, and remote offices, SLW serves a diverse client base, from Fortune 500 companies to startups. Known for innovation, the firm was an early adopter of digital patent systems and continues to leverage AI tools like DeepIP to streamline patent drafting and response processes.
Key Takeaways for Patent Practitioners: Maximizing the Value of AI in IP Practice
- Use an AI Patent Assistant like DeepIP to:
- Enhance work quality and minimize attorney fatigue by automating repetitive tasks, freeing up time for strategic, high-value activities like claims drafting and client interactions.
- Accelerate junior attorneys' learning curves with AI tools that streamline their work, enabling faster and more meaningful contributions to your team.
- Proactively Address Client Concerns
- Strengthen trust by implementing robust security measures to safeguard data confidentiality and mitigate concerns about AI-related inventorship issues.
- Maintain transparency about your AI usage policies to reassure clients and demonstrate responsible technology adoption.
- Adopt AI Thoughtfully and Strategically
- Begin with a phased approach, encouraging early adopters to lead the way and fostering broader adoption through tailored training sessions and peer mentoring.
- Choose AI tools that integrate seamlessly into your existing workflows to ensure smooth implementation and minimal disruption.
- Expand What’s Possible with AI
- Leverage AI to tackle complex, previously impractical projects, enabling your firm to deliver greater client value and stay ahead in the competitive IP landscape.
- Choose DeepIP as Your AI Solution
- Key Selection Criteria: Ease of use, accuracy, adaptability to firm-specific workflows, robust security compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
- Why DeepIP Stands Out: Intuitive usability with its Word plugin, high-quality outputs, easy customization for different writing styles and client needs, and ongoing improvements driven by user feedback.
If you enjoyed this article you can access the webinar recording here.