AI-Fluent Lawyers Need More Than Software: They Need Strong Operations
AI dominated firm conversations last year. It's not a saviour or a threat-it's a tool. The firms that treat it that way will move faster, serve clients better, and run healthier businesses.
At Kennedys, the direction is clear: AI will sit at the core of how services are delivered and how the firm operates. Future success depends on building people, processes, and technology in sync-not in isolation.
Train lawyers to be AI-fluent, not AI-dependent
The next cohort of junior lawyers arrives with sharper tech instincts than any before them. They'll need to be as confident with AI as they are with case law. The risk: automation trims the very practical exposure that builds judgment.
To close that gap, Kennedys has partnered with Spellbook, a generative AI platform for lawyers. The goal is simple: develop lawyers who can think with AI, apply it responsibly, and keep improving the quality and consistency of work.
Leadership that blends tech insight with outside perspective
AI strategy needs ownership. That's why experienced knowledge leaders will matter more each year. At Kennedys, chief knowledge officer Cathy Goodman-who leads the firm's partnership with Spellbook-brings the depth needed to evaluate tools, workflows, and risk.
But software isn't the whole story. The firm also appointed its first chief operating officer, Tracy Watkinson, from banking. That outside lens is proving just as valuable as any platform upgrade.
Operational excellence is the multiplier
Many firms have underinvested in management discipline and efficient systems. That's changing. Firms that standardize processes, align teams, and tighten execution will see the biggest return on AI.
For a global practice spanning Seattle to Auckland, the basics matter: reliable finance, modern HR, and a high-performing business development engine. Without that backbone, service breaks down-no matter how good the lawyers or the tech.
What "fit for the next century" looks like
Purpose-led teams, clear strategy, and supportive culture-these are not slogans. They're operating principles. Combine them with the right tools and you get consistency, speed, and better decisions across almost 3,000 people.
The firms that win won't chase features. They'll build systems that help people do their best work, together.
A practical playbook for legal leaders
- Define AI use cases by practice area (drafting, review, research, matter intake). Measure accuracy, speed, and client impact.
- Create an AI fluency track for juniors and supervisors: tool skills, prompt strategy, verification, and risk controls.
- Put a knowledge leader in charge of evaluation, governance, and adoption. Tie outputs to precedents and templates.
- Upgrade core operations first: finance reporting, HR systems, conflicts/onboarding, and BD pipelines. AI works best on solid foundations.
- Pilot with small, cross-functional teams. Set guardrails. Review outcomes monthly. Scale what works; kill what doesn't.
- Keep a human-in-the-loop standard for judgment-heavy tasks. AI accelerates; partners and supervisors decide.
Webinar: the future of legal drafting
The Global Legal Post is hosting a free live session on 19 February at 12:00 CET: The Future of Legal Drafting-how firms are combining human expertise with AI to improve consistency and efficiency. Sponsored by LexisNexis Europe. For news and story ideas: news@globallegalpost.com.
Want structured training for your teams?
If you're building AI fluency across roles, explore curated programs for legal professionals at Complete AI Training. Practical, role-aware content makes adoption stick.
Bottom line: AI can speed the work. Strong operations make the speed count. Put them together, and your firm stays ahead-reliably.
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