10 Practical Takeaways for Law Firms Considering AI
AI is changing how law firms operate, communicate, and deliver services. A recent webinar with over 130 legal professionals highlighted practical ways firms can adopt AI while managing risks. Here are ten key points to keep in mind.
1. Define Your Objectives First
AI is a tool that supports your firm’s success if applied with clear goals in mind. Before adopting any AI platform or solution, clarify what your firm wants to achieve. Whether it's boosting efficiency, attracting new clients, or improving client service, your priorities should guide your AI approach.
2. Adapt Your Marketing for an AI-Driven Web
AI is changing how legal services appear in search results. AI-generated summaries now often outrank traditional listings, affecting visibility. To stay competitive, structure your content for AI summaries and use structured data techniques, sometimes called generative engine optimisation (GEO) for law firms.
3. Build Familiarity with Generative Tools
Tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini can assist with drafting emails, summarising cases, and adjusting tone. These save time but require human review to check for accuracy, as AI can produce plausible yet incorrect outputs.
4. Recognise That Client Expectations Are Changing
Clients now expect transparency, speed, and value. Many know AI can produce legal documents quickly and may challenge traditional billing models. Research shows 74% of legal work could be automated using generative AI, and 70% of clients prefer firms that use AI. This pushes firms toward fixed fees, outcome-based pricing, and productised services.
5. Appreciate How Legal Service Delivery Is Evolving
AI is altering legal work itself. Lawyers need some technological competence. For example, Garfield Law, the UK’s first AI-powered law firm, offers debt recovery letters for just £2 each. Fast, focused, and affordable services like this are becoming more common.
6. Explore AI for Operational Efficiencies
Many AI applications save time on routine tasks. Firms use AI for document review, legal research, client relationship management, marketing, and internal workflows like diary management and billing summaries. Tools like AI-powered lead qualification assistants help capture and convert enquiries more effectively.
7. Put Information Architecture in Place First
Before adding AI, ensure your data is well organised. Fragmented or inconsistent data makes AI tools less effective. Clean, structured, and accessible data is the foundation of successful AI use.
8. Take Risk, Privacy, and Ethics Seriously
Adopting AI means creating internal policies and governance frameworks around its use. Privacy policies and client consent are crucial, along with secure environments for sensitive data. AI risks include hallucinations, data leaks, and misuse. Courts have warned lawyers about the consequences of improper AI use, so maintain caution and professionalism.
9. Leverage AI According to Your Firm’s Size and Resources
Large firms might pilot advanced tools with in-house tech teams, but smaller firms can achieve real benefits using widely available tools like ChatGPT and Copilot. With proper training, AI can be accessible and useful regardless of firm size.
10. Use Simple, Task-Based Prompts to Begin
Start small with AI by giving clear, specific tasks. Examples include:
- “Draft a simple AI usage policy for a 10-person law firm.”
- “Summarise this five-page letter into three concise bullet points.”
- “Adjust the tone of this client email to be more formal.”
- “Generate counter-arguments to this legal position.”
- “Analyse this spreadsheet of rejected leads for trends.”
- “Create a meeting agenda for a divorce consultation.”
Clear prompts tend to produce the best results.
Looking Ahead
AI tools for legal services are evolving. Firms that take a strategic, thoughtful approach can improve client outcomes, reduce inefficiencies, and stay competitive. For those interested in learning more about AI applications in legal work, resources like Complete AI Training offer relevant courses tailored to legal professionals.
Your membership also unlocks:
