Long before the wider legal industry embraced discussions of artificial intelligence, Michael Mills was a vocal proponent of its importance. As early as 2016, he advised that “The legal community needs to navigate the world of Artificial Intelligence.” His seminal map of AI in legal practice quickly became a widely referenced fixture in presentations at legal technology conferences.
Mr. Mills earned high praise from peers across the profession. The renowned legal futurist Richard Susskind referred to Michael as “the leading global figure in law firm technology.” Liam Brown, CEO of Elevate Law, described him as a “visionary strategist.” Oz Benamram, chief knowledge and innovation officer at Simpson Thacher, characterized Michael as possessing “a rare combination of brilliance, humility, humor, and generosity.”
While widely recognized as the president and cofounder of Neota Logic, his contributions spanned much further. As documented in a thoughtful obituary by Jeff Rovner, he was a “polymath” whose achievements included serving as past president of the College of Law Practice Management, founding director of Pro Bono Net, and cofounder of the Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit organization responsible for the stewardship of Central Park.
The author of this piece had the opportunity to interview Mr. Mills on numerous occasions, interact with him at conferences, and seek his expertise and knowledge. Based on these professional encounters, Mr. Benamram’s description—brilliant, humble, funny, and generous—perfectly encapsulates his character.
However, in reading the many tributes following his passing, a desire emerges to have known him more fully. For instance, many were unaware that he was an avid sailor or that, as chronicled in Jeff Rovner’s account, he once owned a classic sailboat now preserved at the Mystic Seaport Museum.
His passing serves as a reminder to look beyond professional roles and take the time to appreciate the full breadth of people’s lives. Through his death, Michael Mills offers a final lesson to those he encountered in the legal field: to seek a deeper understanding of the individuals behind their professional facades.
Human&Legal encourages readers to review Jeff Rovner’s obituary of Michael and visit the memorial website established in his honor. Contributions can also be made to Pro Bono Net through this site in remembrance of his legacy.
