Midsize Law Firm Takes Cautious Approach to AI Tool Rollout
Nick Morrison, director of artificial intelligence and technology strategy at midsize law firm Perez Morris, is hesitant to deploy products built on large foundational AI models without additional safeguards.
The caution reflects a broader tension in legal technology. Law firms recognize AI can handle routine tasks - document review, contract analysis, legal research - but many remain uncertain about reliability and liability when using commercial AI systems on client work.
What Perez Morris Is Evaluating
Morrison's team is examining AI tools before wider adoption across the firm. The approach prioritizes understanding what each tool does, how it handles data, and whether outputs meet the firm's standards for client deliverables.
This methodical stance differs from firms rushing to implement AI without clear governance. Perez Morris is asking basic questions: Can we audit the AI's reasoning? Where does client data go? What happens if the AI produces flawed work?
The Liability Question
Lawyers remain personally responsible for work product, whether they generate it themselves or use AI assistance. If an AI tool misses a deadline, misinterprets contract language, or produces inaccurate legal analysis, the attorney still faces malpractice exposure.
That reality shapes how firms like Perez Morris evaluate tools. They're not asking whether AI is powerful - they're asking whether they can trust it in front of clients.
Where Firms Are Finding Value
Many midsize firms are starting with lower-risk applications. Document review, initial research compilation, and contract tagging are areas where AI can reduce hours of manual work while leaving final judgment to lawyers.
For professionals navigating these decisions, understanding how AI tools actually work - their strengths, limitations, and proper use cases - has become essential. Resources like AI for Legal and the AI Learning Path for Paralegals can help legal teams evaluate tools with more confidence.
The Broader Trend
Perez Morris represents a growing segment of law firms taking a deliberate path to AI adoption. Rather than betting the firm on new technology, they're building internal expertise to assess tools independently.
This approach takes longer than quick adoption. It also produces better outcomes - firms understand what they're buying, how to use it safely, and when to say no.
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