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Anthropic has entered the legal technology market with a new AI automation tool under its Claude Cowork platform. The company positions this space as an ‘AI junior lawyer’ designed to assist with routine legal work, not replace human attorneys.
According to Anthropic, the tool can analyze contracts, triage non-disclosure agreements, conduct compliance checks, prepare document briefings, and generate template legal responses. Its aim is to reduce repetitive administrative work and improve efficiency inside legal teams.
The tool is currently available as a research preview for paid Claude subscribers. Anthropic has released it as an open-source project on GitHub, allowing organizations to adapt it to their internal legal policies. The company has stressed that the software does not offer legal advice and should not function as a substitute for licensed lawyers.
Despite the safeguards, the launch triggered a sharp reaction across global software and data markets. Investors appeared unsettled by the prospect of a core AI model developer moving directly into legal workflows.
In Europe, shares of companies such as RELX and Wolters Kluwer fell by double digits. In the US, stocks including LegalZoom, FactSet, and London Stock Exchange Group also recorded notable losses. Software-focused ETFs and baskets of AI-exposed stocks declined sharply during intraday trading.
Also Read: OpenAI Hires Finance Leaders Ahead of Q4 2026 IPO, Eyes Lead Over Anthropic
Analysts at Morgan Stanley say Anthropic’s move raises the competitive bar for both traditional legal software providers and AI-native startups.
Several startups, including Harvey AI and Legora, already offer tools that reduce repetitive legal work. Unlike them, Anthropic builds its own large language models in-house rather than relying on third-party systems.
That structural advantage, analysts argue, allows for tighter industry-specific customization and explains why markets reacted so strongly.
