Build or Buy: Choosing the Right AI Tools for Your Law Firm, with Nick Coleman

AI has made it easier for lawyers to build their own software. It has also made it easier to underestimate what comes next. In episode 641 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Nick Coleman, founder and CEO of LexMed, about when law firms should build their own AI tools and when buying an existing platform makes more sense.  Nick shares how frustrations in his Social Security disability practice led him to create tools that connect medical evidence with complex legal requirements. They explore how AI can make more thorough advocacy possible when time and case economics limit what lawyers can realistically do.  The conversation also examines the responsibilities behind custom software, including security, maintenance, regulatory updates, and ongoing support. Nick explains why customer feedback and shared expertise remain valuable even when code is easier to create. For lawyers considering a DIY solution, this episode offers a practical look at the work behind a tool they can trust.  ***Listen to the previous episodes on Legal AI and Smarter Law Firm Technology Decisions***  - #577 – Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN <!--THE END--> - #590 – Innovating Without Overwhelm: Practical AI Tips for Lawyers, with Graydon Trusler Apple | Spotify | LTN <!--THE END--> - #601– Beyond Chatbots: Using Agentic AI in Law Firm Intake, with Matt Spiegel from Lawmatics Apple | Spotify | LTN <!--THE END--> - #611 – Choosing the Right Legal Tech in the Age of AI, with Scott Clasen Apple | Spotify | LTN <!--THE END--> - #619 – What Claude Means for Law Firms: AI Skills, Connectors, and Workflow Strategy, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN **Links from the episode:**  https://lexmed.ai  Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   **Chapters / Timestamps**  00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Why You Shouldn’t Change Speed Going Uphill 04:35 – Meet Nick Coleman 05:35 – Building AI Around Real Practice Problems 07:20 – Using AI to Find What Lawyers Miss 09:50 – When Case Economics Limit Client Advocacy 13:05 – Giving Every Client the Attention They Deserve 14:05 – Turning an Internal Tool into a Business 16:15 – Connecting Medical Evidence to Legal Standards 18:35 – When to Build and When to Buy 20:30 – Why a Working Prototype Is Just the Beginning 23:35 – The Hidden Costs of DIY Legal Tech 25:30 – What Software Vendors Offer Beyond Code 28:20 – Building Better AI Through Customer Feedback 31:00 – Learning to Listen as a Founder 32:30 – Is SaaS Really Dead? 33:20 – Closing Thoughts