By Legal Futures Associate LEAP [1]
The legal industry is at a critical turning point. Digital transformation is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for staying competitive. According to a 2024 Trends Report [2], 60% of law firms are planning to upgrade their digital systems, acknowledging that technology is essential for efficiency and profitability.
Despite some hesitancy, the impact of AI in the legal industry is undeniable. Goldman Sachs estimated [3] that AI could automate up to 44% of legal tasks, allowing firms to operate more efficiently and profitably.
Many legal professionals already rely on AI to streamline time-consuming tasks and enhance accuracy in their work. Among the most common AI applications [4] in law firms:
- Legal research: AI-powered tools assist in quickly retrieving relevant case law and legal precedents—saving valuable time. In fact, 50% of lawyers use AI specifically for research.
- Summarising case law: AI can analyse and summarise complex legal documents, providing clear, concise insights—28% of legal professionals use AI for this purpose.
- Reviewing documents for litigation: AI enhances efficiency by identifying key information in contracts, discovery materials, and litigation documents—15% of lawyers leverage AI for document review.
By adopting AI for these tasks, law firms can reduce errors, increase billable hours, and enhance overall productivity.
So what happens if your law firm doesn’t adopt AI? The reality is stark: law firms that resist AI face growing inefficiencies, financial pressures, and employee dissatisfaction. Other surveys [5] highlight that:
- 49% of law firms fail to meet even half of their billable hour targets.
- 45% of firms are struggling with financial pressures and are actively seeking efficiency improvements.
- ‘Task overload’ is one of the leading causes of lawyer dissatisfaction, with nearly 50% of dissatisfied legal professionals citing stressful deadlines and an unmanageable workload as the main culprits.
AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about improving the quality of legal work, reducing burnout, and enhancing profitability. From legal research to case law summarisation, AI is already proving its value.
During our online webinar [6], we will explore the five biggest drawbacks of not using Legal AI in your law firm and why ignoring this technology could leave your firm at a serious disadvantage:
- Staff output – How AI enhances productivity and workflow efficiency.
- Manual time recording – The inefficiencies of traditional timekeeping methods.
- Lack of efficiency and the client experience – How AI can enhance client service and satisfaction.
- Retaining talent – How AI adoption can help mitigate burnout and job dissatisfaction.
- Reduced profits – The financial impact of neglecting AI-driven efficiency improvements.
By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear understanding of why AI is not just an emerging trend but an essential tool for modern legal practice.
The five biggest drawbacks of not using legal AI in your law firm
Wednesday 2 April | 12:00