What is Protege?
Few innovations are set to shape the future of law and legal practice as profoundly as agentic AI technology.
Put simply, agentic AI is a class of artificial intelligence tools that can autonomously perform tasks and solve complex problems, much like a junior associate. Unlike a new recruit, however, a purpose-built, reputable AI assistant is available 24/7, delivers consistent performance, and can replicate the unique style and workflow of the legal mind it supports.
In essence, this is what LexisNexis Protégé represents: a legal copilot that knows your work and works your way.
But Protégé is not just another legal tech feature, it’s an operational leap forward that has the potential to transform the recognised legal playbook in South Africa.
What does it do?
Protégé excels at summarising documents: including complaints, decisions, settlement agreements, legislation and credit agreements.
Its usefulness also includes creating summaries that mirror the style and structure of lawyer-drafted documents, as well as simplifying complex legal content into plain language, helping firms prepare clear, client-ready documents without the legalese.
The benefits extend beyond efficiency. Protégé reduces the time spent on research and eliminates the often painstaking task of compiling legal documents. This frees practitioners to focus on higher-value, strategic work while also improving turnaround times for clients.
A thinking partner
Law can be a mentally isolating profession. Protégé helps close that gap by serving as an ever-available ideation partner. Even seasoned practitioners can use Protégé to test ideas, spark new approaches, and explore alternative strategies. While this creative enablement is harder to quantify, it may prove to be one of Protégé’s most transformative contributions, positioning strategically minded firms ahead of their competition.
Built into workflows
On a technical level, Protégé integrates seamlessly with leading Document Management Systems such as iManage and SharePoint. This allows legal teams to extract clauses, search firm-wide knowledge bases, and generate content from internal precedents — all without leaving the tools they already rely on.
An eye on the future
The emerging consensus is that many of the routine tasks handled by legal practitioners will soon be carried out, partly or entirely, by machines. This shift gives legal professionals both the opportunity and the responsibility to rethink their roles, moving away from repetitive work and focusing more on strategy, judgement, and client value.
As AI becomes embedded in practice, the everyday life of a lawyer will look very different from what it has been in the past.
Protégé brings this future into the present. By combining LexisNexis’ trusted intelligence with AI that adapts to the way you work, it is helping South African legal practitioners cut through routine, communicate more clearly with clients, and make better use of the knowledge within their firms. That’s the difference Protégé is designed to deliver.
Speak to a LexisNexis consultant about how Protégé can work for your business.