Beijing, 6 November 2025 – GEN Law Firm is pleased to announce that Steve Zhao, co-chair of the firm’s AI&IT committee, has been awarded the 2025 LexisNexis Elite Outstanding Legal Professional Award. The accolade recognizes Steve’s leadership in AI‑enabled legal services, process optimization, and his sustained excellence in client service.
A long‑standing advocate for responsible innovation, Steve has spearheaded the firm’s digital transformation initiatives, combining deep legal expertise with cutting‑edge technology to enhance quality, efficiency, and consistency in service delivery. Under his leadership, GEN has implemented an AI platform that supports day‑to‑day legal work, including fact‑checking, legal research, case analysis, meeting and matter management, and collaborative workflows. These efforts have helped standardize processes and elevate operational performance across the firm. Since 2017, Steve has led the rollout of SaaS‑based practice management, CRM, finance, and intranet systems, migrated knowledge assets to the cloud, and streamlined previously fragmented workflows—laying a robust digital foundation for continued innovation.
GEN Law is equally committed to using AI responsibly. The firm has implemented strict data governance and confidentiality safeguards to ensure that client data and confidential information are fully protected throughout all AI‑enabled workflows, with human judgment remaining central to every key decision.
As a responsible AI advocate, Steve frequently notes that “AI is a lawyer’s hands and feet—not the brain,” underscoring his human‑in‑the‑loop approach as the baseline for legal AI deployment. He has shared these perspectives at academic conferences and public forums, contributing to constructive debate on AI ethics and practical boundaries.
This recognition reflects LexisNexis’s high regard for Steve’s sustained contributions to legal technology and professional excellence. Looking ahead, Steve will continue to leverage AI to support our lawyers and clients, further advance standardization and smart tooling within legal services, and deliver solutions that are faster, more reliable, and aligned with clients’ expectations.
