The legal profession has long grappled with a paradox: the more thoroughly an attorney listens, the less room there is to verify what’s being said. August, the AI platform that’s been quietly reshaping legal tech since January, is now addressing this tension with a new tool called Live Assist. This feature promises to let lawyers be both present in conversations and sharp in their fact-checking — a feat that’s been impossible until now.
A Quiet Revolution in Legal Workflow
Live Assist operates in the background of a legal conversation, whether it’s a deposition, client call, or witness prep. It transcribes the dialogue in real time, labeling speakers, and cross-references every word against uploaded case materials — contracts, prior testimony, emails, declarations, and more. When a discrepancy arises, a flag appears in a side panel, complete with a citation to the exact source document. Even when statements align, the tool suggests follow-up questions and links to relevant documents.
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The system is designed to be unobtrusive. Flags surface without demanding immediate attention, leaving the attorney in control. After the conversation, a fully annotated transcript is generated, highlighting where spoken words diverged from the written record. This passive approach ensures lawyers stay focused on the moment, not buried in documents.
Why This Matters: The Bandwidth Problem
“Lawyers have always had to choose between being present in a conversation and verifying what’s being said,” says Rutvik Rau, August’s co-founder and CEO. “Live Assist means they no longer have to pick one.” The tool solves a bandwidth problem, not a competence issue. No one can simultaneously listen, strategize, and cross-reference hundreds of pages of case materials — but AI can.
The most obvious use case is in depositions, where catching a witness’s contradiction to prior testimony can pivot a case. But the applications extend beyond the courtroom. In client calls, it can flag inconsistencies between spoken stories and contracts. In witness prep, it can highlight gaps before trial. Even in settlement negotiations, it can uncover mischaracterized terms before they become liabilities.
Privacy First, Design by Necessity
August built Live Assist with attorney-client privilege and work-product protections as non-negotiable design constraints. All audio is encrypted in transit, logically isolated by customer, and never used to train models. The company emphasizes that the tool doesn’t compromise confidentiality — a critical concern for any legal AI.
This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about power — shifting the balance from reactive to proactive. A deposition that once required post-hoc review can now be analyzed in real time, with immediate flags for contradictions. The tool doesn’t replace the attorney’s judgment; it amplifies it.
Who Benefits? Small Firms, Big Impact
August targets small and midsized firms, which have historically been excluded from enterprise legal AI due to cost and complexity. The platform costs $375/month or $4,000/year, with a two-week free trial. For that price, lawyers get AI across the entire workflow: drafting motions, due diligence extraction, contract review with AI-generated playbooks based on their own precedent documents.
The company has raised $7 million in seed funding from New Enterprise Associates and Stanford Law School, signaling confidence in its approach. But the real test is in the field — where attorneys are already reporting that Live Assist is changing how they work.
FAQ
How does Live Assist handle attorney-client privilege?
August ensures all audio is encrypted and logically isolated by customer. It never uses client data to train models, adhering strictly to legal confidentiality standards.
Can the tool be used outside depositions?
Yes. Live Assist applies to any scenario where spoken words might diverge from the written record — client calls, witness prep, settlement negotiations, and more.
Who is the target audience for August’s platform?
Small and midsized law firms, which have been historically priced out of enterprise legal AI solutions. The tool is designed to be accessible and powerful for solo practitioners and small teams.
“The issue isn’t competence,” Rau said. “It’s bandwidth. Live Assist gives lawyers the ability to do both — listen and verify — without sacrificing either.” In a profession where milliseconds can matter, this is no small thing.
