Since its formal launch in 2017, the Standards Advancement for the Legal Industry (SALI) hasn’t gained traction among most legal tech vendors. Software providers said they are only mirroring clients’ lack of interest in legal standardization. But SALI is aiming to spur adoption and enthusiasm by creating an API that would give legal tech clients what they are increasingly demanding: interoperability.

To be sure, SALI has obtained public support and members from leaders in the legal industry. Big Law, Fortune 500 companies, the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) and various legal tech companies including LexisNexis and Intapp support its mission to bring commonality to how the legal profession classifies matters and work. But while such goals are admirable, legal tech companies contacted by Legaltech News said clients aren’t clamoring for standardization.