Sullivan & Cromwell Partnered With OpenAI on Legal AI
The law firm developed a specialized contract analyzer in collaboration with OpenAI engineering teams.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
Live Poll
Do you believe integrating AI tools into legal services will improve outcomes for clients?
Sullivan & Cromwell collaborated with OpenAI to create an artificial intelligence tool designed for contract analysis. The project utilized dedicated engineering talent from the AI developer to build the software.
Why it matters
This partnership granted the firm direct access to specialized AI engineering expertise, reflecting a broader trend of major law firms integrating custom technology into their legal workflows.
The contract analyzer functions as a specialized version of an OpenAI model. It was configured specifically for legal work as part of the broader Astra for Law initiative.
The players
Sullivan & Cromwell
A prominent Wall Street-based law firm that provides legal services to global corporations and financial institutions.
OpenAI
An artificial intelligence research organization based in Silicon Valley that develops large-scale machine learning models.
Latham & Watkins
A multinational law firm that participated in testing new legal products for OpenAI.
Wachtell
A New York-based law firm known for its work in corporate mergers and acquisitions that engaged in testing OpenAI products.
Skadden
A global law firm that collaborated with OpenAI on testing tools for the Astra for Law platform.
The details
Sullivan & Cromwell worked closely with OpenAI engineers to tailor the AI to firm-specific requirements. Competing firms including Latham & Watkins, Wachtell, and Skadden have also participated in testing products for OpenAI's Astra for Law platform.
Timeline
The AI contract analyzer was unveiled in September 2026.
The Tech Race
The adoption of custom legal AI tools represents an effort by elite firms to replace legacy document review processes with automated intelligence. This positions participating firms at the forefront of the technological arms race currently reshaping the legal industry.
Clients of these firms may eventually see increased efficiency and faster turnaround times for complex contract reviews. However, the adoption of these models also raises questions regarding data privacy and the oversight of AI-generated legal work.
The takeaway
Legal professionals are increasingly collaborating directly with technology developers to create tools that address specific industry needs. Firms that successfully integrate these AI solutions may gain a competitive advantage in handling large volumes of complex legal documentation.
Further reading
For more on how new technologies are being adopted across the country, visit our Artificial Intelligence section.
Live Poll
Do you believe integrating AI tools into legal services will improve outcomes for clients?
