Empathic Edge Launches AI Platform for Legal Skills

Empathic Edge, a new interactive training platform, officially launches on May 4, 2026, offering an AI-powered solution for law students and professionals. The platform is designed to enhance negotiation and advocacy skills through realistic practice scenarios. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in legal education.

Platform Features and Development

Created by Megan Daic, Director of Dispute Resolution at the University of Houston Law Center, Empathic Edge functions as a digital practice lab. Users can engage in simulated client counseling, negotiation, and conflict-resolution scenarios through structured role-play and guided feedback. This environment allows for repeated practice and refinement of communication approaches, with feedback built into every session to support continuous improvement.

The platform integrates principles from dispute resolution scholarship, experiential legal education, and performance psychology. This combination helps users develop practical communication skills applicable across legal, business, and leadership contexts. It provides a dedicated space for learners to improve their performance.

"Many students graduate understanding the theory of negotiation and advocacy but have had limited opportunities to practice those skills in realistic situations."

— Megan Daic, Director of Dispute Resolution at the University of Houston Law Center

"Empathic Edge gives learners a structured environment where they can develop confidence and improve their performance through practice and feedback."

— Megan Daic, Director of Dispute Resolution at the University of Houston Law Center

Addressing Educational Gaps

The launch of Empathic Edge comes as legal education continues to evolve, particularly with the NextGen Bar Exam placing greater emphasis on practical lawyering competencies. These competencies include negotiation, client counseling, and dispute resolution. The platform directly supports this shift by offering deliberate, repeatable practice opportunities.

Communication is a skill that improves through consistent practice — a core principle behind Empathic Edge's development. As Megan Daic puts it: "Communication is a skill, and like any skill it improves through practice. Our goal with Empathic Edge is to give students and professionals a place to practice difficult conversations before the stakes are real." The platform allows users to engage in difficult conversations in a low-stakes environment, ensuring they are better equipped for real-world professional settings.

Empathic Edge has already received recognition, including the Innovation in Advocacy Education Award from Syracuse University College of Law. This award acknowledges its contribution to advancing experiential advocacy training. The platform can be used independently or integrated into law school courses, advocacy programs, and professional training environments.