https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/ Field notes on legal engineering, legal operations, applied AI and building better systems. en-gb Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/legal-ontologies-a-map-for-agents/ https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/legal-ontologies-a-map-for-agents/ Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Jay Smith Agents know a great deal about the world in general. A useful legal agent also needs a current map of the business it serves. https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/safe-places-to-play/ https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/safe-places-to-play/ Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Jay Smith Curiosity becomes useful innovation when people have somewhere secure, capable and real to explore it. https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/the-modern-lawyer-builds-systems/ https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/the-modern-lawyer-builds-systems/ Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT Jay Smith Legal expertise can shape systems that deliver thoughtful, commercially grounded advice at scale. https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/bring-receipts-not-shopping-lists/ https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/bring-receipts-not-shopping-lists/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Jay Smith A stakeholder-management principle for replacing optimistic promises with useful evidence. https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/legal-ops-vs-legal-engineering/ https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/legal-ops-vs-legal-engineering/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Jay Smith The disciplines approach different parts of the legal system and do their best work together. https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/slow-is-smooth-smooth-is-fast/ https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/slow-is-smooth-smooth-is-fast/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Jay Smith AI can generate work faster than people can absorb it. Thoughtfulness is part of the delivery. https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/wtf-is-legal-engineering-anyway/ https://thisisthejay.github.io/blog/wtf-is-legal-engineering-anyway/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT Jay Smith Modern problems require modern solutions. Let me explain why legal engineering is worth investing in.