ChatGPT recently marked two years since its November 2022 release. As a Large Language Model (LLM) application that can process and generate text in real-time that resembles human language, ChatGPT represented a significant breakthrough in innovative generative AI (GenAI) systems. Similar tools followed, like Claude, Perplexity, and CoPilot.
Two years in, have you tried any yet?
Over the past two years, the legal profession has grappled with how LLM applications will reshape the way lawyers approach their work.
While GenAI provides opportunities for lawyers to enhance efficiency and revolutionize tasks like legal research, document writing, and marketing, many who have steered clear still cite ethical considerations and skepticism of the technology.
However, data shows AI is not going anywhere. In fact, Clio’s 2024 Legal Trends Report (LTR) found that an astounding 79% of lawyers are using AI in their practice in 2024.
While AI is being widely adopted, Thomson Reuters’ 2024 Generative AI in Professional Services report indicates that only 10% of law firms have a policy guiding the use of AI at work.
In this article, I will explore why lawyers may have avoided GenAI and attempt to persuade them to give it a try in 2025.
Focusing on the value, not the fear
Since GenAI has entered legal practice, it has encountered roadblocks that have hindered adoption.
Reports of “hallucinated” (or fake) cases pulled from the platforms have been cited in court filings, as the attorneys using them are met with sanctions for lacking diligence.
At the same time, lawyers have struggled to differentiate how GenAI works compared to other common technology-driven products and processes, like email and traditional legal research. Is it a search engine? Is it a massive database? (Hint: It is neither.)
GenAI is a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content – such as text, images, or video – by learning patterns from existing data. Unlike traditional search engines or databases that retrieve and display information, GenAI uses complex algorithms to generate original outputs based on the input it receives from the user.
This technology mimics human creativity and understanding at lightning speed, making it a powerful tool, especially when the data set is controlled or “closed” (i.e., operating within a restricted set of data that is not publicly accessible) to better focus those outputs.
For example, ChatGPT is an LLM trained on various internet sources ranging from Wikipedia to online articles, whereas Vincent AI is primarily trained on a legal database of over a billion legal documents like case law, statutes, regulations, and secondary materials.
This setup is crucial for maintaining data security and confidentiality. Moreover, the LLM can be fine-tuned or prompted to generate responses based on data within the closed environment, ensuring the outputs are relevant and accurate to the domain-specific knowledge contained in the dataset.
Streamlining routine tasks
AI’s ability to automate routine tasks allows lawyers to focus on higher-value activities that require critical thinking, creativity, and nuanced understanding — skills that machines cannot (currently) replicate.
Clio’s LTR found that 81% of hourly billable work performed by administrative assistants and 57% of hourly work for lawyers has the potential for automation. For instance, while AI can draft or review a contract quickly, it is up to the lawyer to use their expertise to ensure its legal soundness and applicability to specific client needs.
AI technologies are already being utilized to streamline various aspects of legal work:
- Document review and contract drafting: GenAI tools can efficiently handle large volumes of documents, identifying key clauses or discrepancies that require human attention.
- Legal research: GenAI-powered legal research tools can quickly sift through vast databases to find relevant information (e.g., case law) while responding to natural language prompts or even analyzing an opinion or motion to help draft an authoritative and persuasive response.
- Predictive analytics: By analyzing historical data, GenAI can offer predictions about case outcomes or judge preferences, helping lawyers develop more informed strategies.
What’s next for 2025? Embrace policy development.
When it comes to GenAI, the legal profession in 2025 has less of a what problem and more of a how problem. We have access to promising early versions of GenAI applications and have witnessed how it can improve the delivery of legal services.
Now, lawyers must focus on ensuring that their AI use complies with their rules of professional conduct, court rules, and organizational policies.
Law firms and courts increasingly recognize the need to develop comprehensive use policies centered on the responsible and ethical use of AI. For example, New York’s Working Group on Judicial Administration and Artificial Intelligence (JAAI) has developed a “preliminary path” for AI and the New York State Judiciary. In Maryland, “Guidelines for the Acceptable Use of AI Tools and Platforms” was issued for judicial personnel.
These policies are essential for safeguarding client confidentiality, upholding the integrity of legal representation, and maintaining public trust in the legal system.
According to the American Bar Association’s Formal Opinion 512, lawyers must fully consider their ethical obligations when using GenAI tools, including providing competent representation, protecting client information, and charging reasonable fees (see the AI efficiency paradox).
As the LTR shows, 4 out of 5 lawyers are already using AI to some degree – with or without policies, training, or guidelines. To support the ethical use of AI, law firms and law schools must continue to train lawyers on fundamental legal skills – like contract drafting and legal research – along with providing training and education on integrating AI into routine legal work.
This will ensure that early-career attorneys learn common practice skills while also gaining an understanding of how to effectively validate AI. In addition, ongoing education about emerging technologies should be integrated into professional development programs to foster continuous learning throughout an attorney’s career.
Courts will also continue to play a critical role by offering updated guidance relevant to AI tools as they develop. This helps ensure AI is used in ways that align with ethical standards and legal requirements in litigation.
What tasks can you assign to AI in 2025?
I anticipate AI applications will increasingly be embedded into legal workflows in 2025. Lawyers who navigate this landscape will be well-positioned to enhance their practice and deliver superior client services while maintaining the integrity of the legal profession.
By integrating AI into their daily routines, lawyers can streamline processes, reduce time spent on repetitive tasks, and focus more on strategic thinking and client interaction. This shift not only increases efficiency but also enriches the quality of legal services provided.
In 2025, I challenge you to explore and integrate AI into your practice. Consider ways you might take “the robot out of the lawyer” so you can focus on what lawyers do best: serving their clients with insight, creativity, and integrity.
Embracing AI is not just about keeping pace with change; it is about seizing the chance to redefine what it means to deliver exceptional legal service in a rapidly evolving world. As this technological evolution unfolds, those who adapt will set new standards for excellence in the legal industry. Stay out front!
Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. Subscribe here to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.
Crafting Influence: The Role of Language and AI in Legal Advocacy
The AI Revolution in Legal and the Billable Hour: Is the End Near?