Following the success of the September 5 Future Dispute Resolution Conference, the Stanford x LLM Law Hackathon brought together leaders in the legal and tech industries to explore the future of AI in legal practice. The American Arbitration Association (AAA^®), in partnership with System.Legal and other key organizations, played an integral role in making this one-day event a success. The hackathon, designed to foster innovation at the intersection of law and AI, provided a platform for participants to build cutting-edge solutions and tackle pressing challenges related to AI-driven legal tools.

Highlighting the AAA

Joshua Walker, CEO of System.Legal, was one of the keynote presenters and officially kicked off the event with a strong endorsement of the AAA’s leadership in the legal sector. Walker praised the AAA's dedication to exploring the integration of AI into dispute resolution, particularly highlighting their contributions to the Future of Dispute Resolution Track. This track was dedicated to envisioning what AI-driven arbitration, mediation and adjudication could look like in the near future—an area where the AAA continues to lead.

In his speech, Walker emphasized how the AAA's support was critical, not just financially but also in fostering dialogue on how AI can enhance arbitration and mediation processes. He acknowledged the AAA’s long-standing commitment to improving dispute resolution through innovation, making specific mention of the AAA’s thought leadership in driving conversations about the future of law and technology.

Event Focus

The hackathon centered on how legal professionals and tech developers could collaborate to build solutions that integrate large language models (LLMs) into everyday legal practices. While AI was already a familiar topic, the hackathon specifically targeted practical, scalable implementations in dispute resolution, legal research and contract analysis.

The event was divided into three main tracks:

• First-Build Track: Participants built AI-powered legal applications during the event, showcasing their development skills.
• Future of Dispute Resolution Track: This track focused on the future of machine adjudication, court systems and alternative dispute resolution processes such as arbitration and mediation, aligning with the AAA's core mission.
• VC Competition Track: Ongoing legal tech startups and projects had the opportunity to further develop and present their ideas to a panel of experienced venture capitalists.

Event Highlights and Projects

Throughout the event, key figures from both the legal and tech worlds provided guidance and mentorship. The AAA’s involvement was particularly visible, with Colin Rule, CEO of ODR.com, serving as a mentor and offering valuable insights into how AI could shape arbitration and mediation processes in the future. Leo Park and Zeb Anderson also contributed to the mentorship of various projects, sharing insights gained through their partnership with System.Legal and the AAA.

Key projects included:

• Dispute Resolution – Automated Judge: A project focused on automating the review and decision-making process for legal disputes, showcasing a practical use case of AI adjudication.
• CourtBuddy: Designed as an assistant for legal professionals, offering tools for quick research and case preparation.
• LegalGPT: A natural language processing tool that allows users to query contracts, providing immediate insights into complex legal documents.
• Lexi Pilot: An AI-driven system for navigating legal regulations, ensuring compliance and assisting in risk management.

Event Outcome and Judging

As the day unfolded, participants had the chance to pitch their AI-driven solutions to a panel of judges in the preliminary round. From there, top teams were selected for the Grand Jury phase, where they presented their projects in front of esteemed judges from the legal and venture capital industries.

Projects in the Future of Dispute Resolution Track, closely aligned with the AAA’s mission, showcased innovative solutions like AI-driven mediation tools and automated adjudication systems. These projects reflected the shared vision between the AAA and System.Legal to transform how disputes are resolved.

Acknowledgment of the AAA's Leadership

Walker’s keynote provided significant visibility to the AAA as a thought leader in the space. By supporting projects that aim to integrate AI into dispute resolution, the AAA continues to position itself at the forefront of legal innovation. Many of the projects presented during the Future of Dispute Resolution Track directly addressed challenges that the AAA is seeking to solve—how to make arbitration and mediation more efficient, accurate and accessible through AI.

As the hackathon progressed, the AAA's name was repeatedly highlighted for its support, with several mentors and participants referencing the organization’s forward-thinking approach to legal technology.

Looking Forward

The AAA’s partnership in this hackathon exemplifies its commitment to driving the future of dispute resolution forward. By participating in and supporting events like the Stanford x LLM Law Hackathon, the AAA continues to set an example for other organizations in the legal space. Its leadership, particularly in leveraging AI to improve arbitration and mediation processes, will remain a key driver of innovation in the industry.

This hackathon highlighted the AAA’s ongoing efforts to ensure that AI is adopted in ways that enhance, rather than disrupt, existing dispute resolution frameworks. As the legal industry continues to evolve, the AAA remains a vital player in shaping the future of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution through technology and innovation.