As AI technologies continue to gain traction, just about every sector you can think of is going to face huge changes in the coming years – and that’s especially the case in the legal industry. From the rise of large language models (LLMs) to the integration of AI into existing software, this cutting-edge technology is already uprooting the way we work now, and it’s making us think deeply about what work will look like in the future.
As AI and other innovative technologies advance at an unprecedented pace, they are poised to play a pivotal role in redefining the way legal firms and professionals practice law in the years to come. While the integration of AI is still in its early stages, there has been a mixed approach across the legal industry. Some law firms and legal professionals have yet to embrace AI tools, while others are actively exploring and adopting them.
The signs are that the majority of individuals working within law are keen to at least know more. Research suggests that around 68 percent of legal professionals are eager to learn about AI, with 21 percent believing that AI can enhance the quality of services provided. Added to that, 38 percent of legal professionals are convinced that AI will lead to greater efficiency within the industry.
Even now, the impact of AI is already being felt. AI tools have the capability to automate mundane and repetitive tasks, streamline workflows and potentially reduce costs over time.
This automation has the potential to grant legal professionals a valuable commodity – time. With more time on their hands, solicitors can reallocate their hours towards more strategic work, such as closer client engagement and case strategy, paving the way for increased client satisfaction.
How AI can support legal firms
AI is gradually reshaping legal work, with its influence already visible in areas such as document analysis, categorisation, and research.
Among the emerging range of AI tools, OpenAI’s generative AI model, ChatGPT, is perhaps the most widely used and recognised. This LLM boasts a near-limitless set of use cases, from creating legal marketing content and drafting documents to conducting legal research and providing case analysis. It can also aid in developing chatbots, serving as virtual assistants for law firms, capable of offering clients initial consultation services and answering basic questions.
Considerable time and expertise usually go into these tasks. So, by leveraging AI models like ChatGPT, law firms can save time while at the same producing better, more accurate work.
Addressing anxieties around AI adoption
Naturally, there’s a degree of anxiety about embracing AI technologies at this stage; a common and understandable reaction when people are faced with a technological revolution. We’re hearing legitimate concerns being raised around job security and client confidentiality.
This is backed up by research, which reveals that a significant portion of legal professionals (41 percent) are worried about professional liability risks following AI integration. Additionally, 57 percent are anxious about the potential implications for client privacy and confidentiality.
Meanwhile, 47 percent of law firms with more than 20 full-time employees are worrying about copyright infringement risks, compared to 36 percent of smaller firms and 33 percent of solo practitioners. And interestingly, 46 percent of law firm administrators and 41 percent of paralegals worry about this issue, versus 34 percent of solicitors.
When it comes to trust, 39 percent of legal professionals believe that client trust might diminish if AI is integrated into legal services. And 37 percent of clients or potential clients say they would be less likely to trust a solicitor who’s using AI.
How will AI change the legal sector?
Despite the challenges and concerns surrounding AI, it’s crucial to understand that these technologies are designed as a tool to make legal work more accurate and effective, not to replace the expertise of legal professionals. But the transition is likely to be a big step, so law firms need to be transparent about the role AI will play, making sure it’s seen as a supportive tool rather than a threat.
Looking ahead, here are predictions on how AI will continue shaping the legal industry:
- Â Regulatory evolution: As AI integration in legal work increases, calls for new regulations will grow to ensure AI is safe, ethical, and effective. Solicitors must stay informed about this evolving legal landscape.
- Â Â Improving access to justice: AI holds the potential to give people greater access to justice by reducing the time and costs associated with various legal tasks. However, there are risks of AI reinforcing data biases, which could inadvertently widen the justice gap, so this has to be considered carefully.
- Â Â Transforming law firm structures: By providing equal access to tools that could drastically improve legal work, AI could level the playing field between small and large firms. This could prompt the rise of new AI-driven business models.
While AI integration presents both promising opportunities and daunting challenges for the legal profession regarding ethics, copyright, and confidentiality, the technology also offers significant potential for increasing efficiency, accessibility, and client satisfaction.
Law firms need to embrace AI as a partner that can support better client services through its ability to handle routine tasks. Those who adopt this mindset and remain agile in the face of AI will undoubtedly gain a competitive advantage as the legal landscape evolves.
Sarah Murphy is General Manager, Clio
Main image: Shoosmiths award winning offices in Birmingham
March 21, 2024
AI is already transforming the legal sector, but challenges remain
by Sarah Murphy • AI, Comment, Technology
As AI and other innovative technologies advance at an unprecedented pace, they are poised to play a pivotal role in redefining the way legal firms and professionals practice law in the years to come. While the integration of AI is still in its early stages, there has been a mixed approach across the legal industry. Some law firms and legal professionals have yet to embrace AI tools, while others are actively exploring and adopting them.
The signs are that the majority of individuals working within law are keen to at least know more. Research suggests that around 68 percent of legal professionals are eager to learn about AI, with 21 percent believing that AI can enhance the quality of services provided. Added to that, 38 percent of legal professionals are convinced that AI will lead to greater efficiency within the industry.
Even now, the impact of AI is already being felt. AI tools have the capability to automate mundane and repetitive tasks, streamline workflows and potentially reduce costs over time.
This automation has the potential to grant legal professionals a valuable commodity – time. With more time on their hands, solicitors can reallocate their hours towards more strategic work, such as closer client engagement and case strategy, paving the way for increased client satisfaction.
How AI can support legal firms
AI is gradually reshaping legal work, with its influence already visible in areas such as document analysis, categorisation, and research.
Among the emerging range of AI tools, OpenAI’s generative AI model, ChatGPT, is perhaps the most widely used and recognised. This LLM boasts a near-limitless set of use cases, from creating legal marketing content and drafting documents to conducting legal research and providing case analysis. It can also aid in developing chatbots, serving as virtual assistants for law firms, capable of offering clients initial consultation services and answering basic questions.
Considerable time and expertise usually go into these tasks. So, by leveraging AI models like ChatGPT, law firms can save time while at the same producing better, more accurate work.
Addressing anxieties around AI adoption
Naturally, there’s a degree of anxiety about embracing AI technologies at this stage; a common and understandable reaction when people are faced with a technological revolution. We’re hearing legitimate concerns being raised around job security and client confidentiality.
This is backed up by research, which reveals that a significant portion of legal professionals (41 percent) are worried about professional liability risks following AI integration. Additionally, 57 percent are anxious about the potential implications for client privacy and confidentiality.
Meanwhile, 47 percent of law firms with more than 20 full-time employees are worrying about copyright infringement risks, compared to 36 percent of smaller firms and 33 percent of solo practitioners. And interestingly, 46 percent of law firm administrators and 41 percent of paralegals worry about this issue, versus 34 percent of solicitors.
When it comes to trust, 39 percent of legal professionals believe that client trust might diminish if AI is integrated into legal services. And 37 percent of clients or potential clients say they would be less likely to trust a solicitor who’s using AI.
How will AI change the legal sector?
Despite the challenges and concerns surrounding AI, it’s crucial to understand that these technologies are designed as a tool to make legal work more accurate and effective, not to replace the expertise of legal professionals. But the transition is likely to be a big step, so law firms need to be transparent about the role AI will play, making sure it’s seen as a supportive tool rather than a threat.
Looking ahead, here are predictions on how AI will continue shaping the legal industry:
While AI integration presents both promising opportunities and daunting challenges for the legal profession regarding ethics, copyright, and confidentiality, the technology also offers significant potential for increasing efficiency, accessibility, and client satisfaction.
Law firms need to embrace AI as a partner that can support better client services through its ability to handle routine tasks. Those who adopt this mindset and remain agile in the face of AI will undoubtedly gain a competitive advantage as the legal landscape evolves.
Sarah Murphy is General Manager, Clio
Main image: Shoosmiths award winning offices in Birmingham