Legal AI Adoption Faces Real Obstacles, Says Jackson Walker Innovation Chief
Greg Lambert, Chief Innovation Officer at Jackson Walker and host of the Geek in Review podcast, discussed the practical challenges firms encounter when deploying AI tools in a recent interview. The conversation covered onboarding hurdles, productivity concerns, and the long timelines required for meaningful change.
The Implementation Gap
Lambert addressed several concrete problems that derail AI adoption. Tool duplication-where firms purchase overlapping systems-wastes budget and confuses staff. Onboarding new AI systems requires training that many firms underestimate in scope and time.
Errors in legal research remain a concern. AI systems sometimes produce plausible-sounding but incorrect citations or legal analysis, creating liability risks that slow adoption. Staff must verify outputs, which reduces the productivity gains firms expect.
Realistic Timelines
Change takes longer than vendors suggest. Firms implementing legal AI should expect extended transition periods, not quick wins. This reality clashes with the pressure to show return on investment quickly.
Emerging Use Cases
The interview explored Claude for agents and the use of Newcode.ai, tools that automate specific workflows. Truly automated contract negotiation remains largely aspirational-most firms still rely on human review and decision-making, even with AI assistance.
Lambert offered practical perspective on what works and what remains theoretical in legal technology, based on direct experience deploying these systems at scale.
Build Your AI Skills
Legal professionals looking to understand AI capabilities and limitations should consider structured training. Claude AI Courses cover the specific tools mentioned in discussions like this. For broader context, AI for Legal Professionals Courses address adoption challenges and practical implementation.
Upcoming Events
Legal Innovators California takes place June 10-11 in San Francisco. Legal Innovators Europe follows June 24-25 in Paris. Both conferences focus on practical legal technology deployment.
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