With the Mass Torts Made Perfect conference in Las Vegas now wrapped, Pattern Data is reflecting on key discussions that shaped this year’s event. Our Chief Product Officer, James Nix, participated in a panel discussion "How to Leverage Artificial Intelligence Through Every Step of Your Case," where he and fellow panelists shared insights on how AI is transforming mass tort litigation.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping legal workflows in ways that extend far beyond automation. The panel highlighted how AI acts as a force multiplier for legal teams and the importance of balancing precision and accuracy. While not every topic mentioned below made it into the session, we’re taking this opportunity to expand on what was discussed and add a few critical concepts that are shaping the future of AI-driven litigation strategy. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways—and key reminders—from the session.
“Mass tort firms are managing thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of cases at once. AI doesn’t replace attorneys or paralegals; it amplifies their capabilities by automating tedious processes and surfacing critical insights faster than ever before,” James shared.
Other panelists echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that AI isn't about removing human judgment but rather enhancing legal professionals’ ability to work efficiently. One speaker noted how AI can flag missing medical records or inconsistencies in claim data, preventing costly errors.
AI also brings critical visibility into firm-wide operations. With Pattern Data’s inventory analytics, legal teams can track the status and strength of every claim in real time, helping them make faster, data-informed decisions about where to allocate resources or when to move towards settlement.
As AI adoption grows, law firms are increasingly focused on balancing speed, precision and accuracy. James highlighted how AI-driven case triage ensures firms concentrate on viable claims without overlooking crucial details hidden in medical records.
James also emphasized the importance of precision in AI-driven case evaluation, noting that "AI is only as powerful as its ability to surface the right information at the right time. It's not just about automation; it's about delivering precise, reliable insights that attorneys can trust."
He also warned against over-prioritizing accuracy at the expense of precision: “An increase in accuracy that introduces uncertainty isn't worth the trade-off. False positives can be as damaging as missing a critical document. AI must be refined to deliver results that attorneys can act on with confidence.”
Another panelist noted that intelligent case prioritization enables firms to focus their resources where they’ll have the most impact–strenthening case outcomes and operational efficiency.
While the panel covered many aspects of AI’s role in litigation, one emerging topic that wasn’t directly discussed but is essential to the future of AI-driven legal analysis is entailment scoring. This technique allows AI to determine whether a given piece of evidence truly supports or contradicts a legal claim, refining results and minimizing false positives. As AI continues to evolve, entailment scoring will be a key driver in improving the precision and trustworthiness of AI-powered legal workflows, a topic we’ll explore in more depth in an upcoming blog.
The impact of AI doesn’t stop at evidentiary review for a single claimant. By capturing more precise and comprehensive plaintiff data, AI empowers lawyers to execute litigation strategies more effectively. That includes:
As a result, this allows lawyers to more accurately assess potential case value ranges, better educate plaintiffs, and structure negotiations and settlement programs tailored to the specific facts and circumstances of each plaintiff.
“We’re past the point of asking whether AI should be part of mass tort workflows. It has to be. The firms that integrate AI now are setting themselves up for long-term success, while those who resist will struggle to keep up,” James emphasized.
The panel agreed that firms that embrace AI-powered legal tech will have a competitive edge, as automation becomes the standard rather than the exception. One speaker shared how their firm initially hesitated to adopt AI but quickly realized its value in reducing administrative bottlenecks.
With another successful Mass Torts Made Perfect behind us, it’s clear that AI is not just a trend. It is an essential tool for modern mass tort practices. Pattern Data remains committed to helping firms streamline operations, improve case outcomes, and stay ahead of industry shifts.
If you want to continue the conversation, we’d love to connect and discuss how AI can transform your practice.