CorporateLegalFebruary 09, 2026

Shaping the Future of Legal Work with AI – interview with Martin O’Malley and Viktor von Essen

In November 2025 Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory acquired Libra Technology, provider of the Libra legal AI workspace. We spoke with Martin O’Malley, CEO of Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory, and Viktor von Essen, Co-Founder and CEO of Libra by Wolters Kluwer.

What was the rationale behind Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory acquiring Libra Technology?

Martin O’Malley: The legal industry is undergoing a profound transformation, and AI is at the heart of it. Our decision to acquire Libra was driven by a clear vision: to combine Wolters Kluwer’s trusted, authoritative content with Libra’s cutting-edge AI technology. Legal professionals increasingly need tools that go beyond simple research- they need intelligent assistants that can draft, review, and analyze documents with speed and precision. Libra has proven itself as a leader in this space, and by bringing their capabilities into our ecosystem, we can accelerate innovation and deliver solutions that redefine efficiency and accuracy for lawyers worldwide. This acquisition positions us as a European leader in legal AI and strengthens our ability to serve clients with next-generation technology.

What does joining Wolters Kluwer mean for Libra and its customers?

Viktor von Essen: For Libra, this is a transformative moment. We’ve always had a bold vision: to create an AI-powered workspace that makes legal work smarter, faster, and more collaborative. Joining Wolters Kluwer gives us the scale and resources to make that vision a reality on a global level. Our customers will benefit from deeper integration with Wolters Kluwer’s content, which is trusted by legal professionals everywhere. This means more accurate drafting, better compliance, and richer insights. Wolters Kluwer also brings decades of expertise and a strong commitment to innovation, which will help us expand into new markets and deliver even more value to our growing user base.

What is your product roadmap with the Libra by Wolters Kluwer legal AI workspace?

Martin O'Malley - Wolters Kluwer
Martin O'Malley: We’re investing in talent and technology to accelerate product development and expand Libra’s reach across Europe and beyond. We are already live with the integrated solution in the Netherlands, Germany and Poland, and we will soon launch Belgium, Italy and further countries in Eastern Europe. At the same time, Viktor and his team keep working on new features and improvements while we are constantly listening to our customers, to understand their evolving needs and expectations.
Legal work is becoming more complex, and clients expect faster, more cost-effective solutions. AI is the key to meeting those expectations, and our combined offering sets a new standard for accuracy, security, and productivity.

Viktor von Essen: Absolutely - the future is collaborative and data-driven. AI will enable lawyers to work smarter, not harder, by providing real-time insights and automating repetitive processes. We are building the future of legal work here, and because Wolters Kluwer brings trusted content and expertise, we can ensure that this future is not only efficient but also safe and reliable. Ultimately, AI will make legal work more human by removing the drudgery and letting professionals focus on creativity and judgment.

How are you collaborating with your customers?

Viktor_von_Essen

Viktor von Essen: Innovation thrives on collaboration. At Libra by Wolters Kluwer, we see our customers not just as users but as co-creators of the future of legal work. Every feature we develop, every workflow we refine, starts with listening to the real challenges lawyers face in their day-to-day practice. We actively engage through multiple channels: Customer Advisory Boards where leading firms share insights on emerging needs, interactive feedback loops, so users can suggest improvements in real time, and last not least via the Libra Academy and its training and co-design sessions, giving professionals a safe space to experiment with AI and tell us what works - and what doesn’t.

This dialogue ensures that our solutions aren’t theoretical, but practical, secure, and tailored to the realities of modern legal practice.

Martin O'Malley: We see that legal professionals are willing to embrace the change. The firms and professionals who adopt tools like our Libra by Wolters Kluwer legal AI workspace early will gain a competitive edge in efficiency, accuracy, and client service. And our mission is to make this transition smooth and beneficial for everyone to deliver impact when it matters most.

Martin O'Malley - Wolters Kluwer
CEO, Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory
Martin O’Malley is CEO of Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory. This leading, global provider of legal and compliance solutions helps professionals improve productivity and performance, mitigate risk and achieve better outcomes.
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