Why Your Legal Department Needs a Productivity Layer Not Another Tool

The legal tech landscape is more crowded than ever, with tools claiming to solve every challenge in managing legal work. Whether it's contract lifecycle management (CLM) platforms like Ironclad or trusted legal research tools such as Westlaw, the market offers everything from document repositories to generative AI chat assistants. Yet, many in-house legal teams are still overwhelmed.

The root problem? These tools, while essential, primarily act as infrastructure. They store, streamline, or inform—but they don't actively transform the output of your team. That's where a productivity layer comes in. A productivity layer doesn't replace your existing legal tech stack. It enhances it by acting as the connective tissue that streamlines workflows and automates the repetitive, operational tasks bogging down your team. Learn how automation drives results in our ROI study.

The Role of Infrastructure Tools in Legal Tech

Contract Lifecycle Management platforms, research tools, and document repositories have become indispensable for legal teams, especially in in-house environments. Here's a quick look at why:

• CLM platforms like Ironclad or Evisort help with end-to-end contract workflows, from drafting and storage to post-signature tracking and analytics. They are brilliant for high-volume, repetitive contract processes and ensuring compliance with contract terms.
• Legal research platforms such as Westlaw and LexisNexis are fundamental for compliance and case law research, providing trustworthy case sources, statutes, and regulations critical for legal teams to deliver sound advice.
• Document management tools like DocuSign and NetDocuments are essential for electronic signature capabilities, version control, and maintaining organized storage for corporate records.

These tools are the backbone of most legal tech stacks. However, they tend to come with limitations when applied to in-house counsel workflows:

• They are process-focused rather than output-focused.
• They often require heavy configuration, setup efforts, or custom workflows.
• They leave gaps in the everyday operational work that legal departments encounter.

Operational Gaps in Legal Tech Infrastructure

Despite the growing use of CLMs, research platforms, and other infrastructure tools, in-house counsel often face inefficiencies in these areas:

This day-to-day work accounts for a significant portion of an in-house lawyer's hours. And while integral, it's also repetitive and time-consuming, keeping legal professionals from focusing on high-impact strategic tasks.

Why Your Legal Team Needs a Productivity Layer

A productivity layer focuses on one thing above all else—output. It automates and streamlines the creation of essential legal work, filling the operational gaps left by other tools in your stack.

Here's how a productivity layer like White Shoe transforms your legal operations:

Supercharging Existing Investments

Instead of replacing your CLM or research systems, a productivity layer like White Shoe integrates seamlessly with them. Think of it as the connective tissue that brings together your infrastructure tools while elevating how your team works:

Automating Repetitive Workflows

White Shoe's generative AI "Associates" are designed to automate tasks that consume hours of effort, such as:

• Drafting compliance checklists
• Writing or summarizing financial and regulatory reports
• Identifying common risks in team handbooks

Streamlined Business-Legal Interactions

One of the biggest pain points in legal operations is in translating legalese into actionable business advice. Productivity layers bridge this gap by:

• Providing business-ready output, like summaries or actionable checklists.
• Sending automated risk alerts in plain English when new changes in regulations might impact operations.

Reducing Fatigue in Lean Legal Teams

Today's lean in-house teams are under immense pressure to "do more with less." Repetitive workflows can lead to burnouts and errors. A productivity layer minimizes this risk and offloads tedious tasks, empowering your team to maximize value in their role.

Why White Shoe is the Missing Piece in Modern Legal Tech

White Shoe isn't just another tool in your already complex stack. It's an AI-powered productivity layer purpose-built for in-house legal teams. See the full feature list on our platform page.

Real-World Results Teams Experience with Productivity Layers

Don't just take our word for it. Early adopters of productivity layers like White Shoe have seen measurable impact:

Step Into the Future of Legal Work

Adding yet another tool like a CLM or research platform won't solve your operational challenges if your team continues to grapple with repetitive tasks and disconnected solutions. Instead, shift your focus to achieving real, measurable impact through a productivity layer.

White Shoe is designed to empower in-house legal teams with the tools they need to do more in less time, while seamlessly enhancing the systems you already trust.