AI and data-driven work: these are terms you hear more and more in the legal world. But how far along are law firms in applying it? And what’s holding them back from making it work?
During Pro Bono Connect‘s Round Table Partner Offices, which brought together delegations from all the top offices in the Dutch legal profession, something stood out: everyone is talking about AI, but the actual translation into daily practice takes time and adaptation. While technology is developing at lightning speed, many firms are rightly struggling with the question: how do we apply this concretely and responsibly in our daily practice?
We spoke with offices about the ambitions and concerns. The opportunities are great, but the obstacles often seem even greater. In this blog, we share key insights and show you how, as a law firm, you can take the right steps now toward a data-driven future with AI to enhance your legal work.
AI and data: opportunities for the legal industry
Lawyers work with enormous amounts of data every day. Files, case law, internal memos, notes from meetings and emails, everything contains valuable information. By using AI intelligently, you can leverage that information faster and better.
Some concrete opportunities:
- Faster research with LLMs: AI tools such as Large Language Models (LLMs) can search, analyze and filter thousands of legal documents in seconds, a task that would otherwise take hours. This not only speeds up research, but also makes AI a substantive sparring partner;
- Better decision-making: smart algorithms recognize patterns from previous case law or files, which helps in risk assessment or estimating possible outcomes of legal proceedings. Here it is important to pay attention to the transparency of algorithms. How do algorithms reach a conclusion ( explainability)? The outcome must always remain legally defensible and explainable;
- More efficient processes: think about automatically drafting, checking or classifying contracts. This can save time and money. Because many AI algorithms are trained on general contracts, legal nuances or industry-specific provisions may be missed. It is important to train or adapt the algorithms to your firm’s legal context;
- Summarize: with speech-to-text and Natural Language Processing (NLP), meetings, documents and notes can be summarized quickly and accurately. So you lose less time working out and have a faster overview.
So this is not about “far-flung innovation,” but rather practical applications that have a direct impact on daily practice. Yet it is precisely those daily processes where the greatest barriers lie.
Challenges faced by law firms
While there is plenty of interest, actual implementation lags behind at many offices. Here are the most commonly heard obstacles:
1. Data is there, but not accessible
Many offices have years of files and documents, but:
- Information is fragmented across different systems;
- Documents are not stored in a structured manner;
- A central data policy and data strategy is lacking.
Without a grip on your data, you can’t deploy a good AI solution. That’s why a successful AI strategy always starts with getting your data in order.
2. Uncertainty about ethics and law
The legal industry is (rightly) risk-averse. Obviously, no one wants to use an AI that goes against the AVG or whose outcome is not explainable. Frequently asked questions:
- Is this allowed? What does the law say about the use of AI for client data? What is and is not allowed under the AVG?
- Who is responsible? If AI makes a mistake or “hallucinates,” who is responsible and bears the consequences?
- Is it explainable? How transparent are the models that support decisions? Can we explain AI’s decisions to clients or judges?
Without clear answers to these questions, AI remains a gray area and that inhibits adoption. Knowledge of AI ethics and current legislation on AI, consider the European Union’s AI Act, is essential to innovate with confidence.
3. Lack of technical knowledge and willingness to change.
AI often raises technical questions. And there’s the rub: lawyers are trained in law, not data analysis. That leads to:
- Cold feet (“I don’t understand that technology anyway”);
- Lack of clarity about who within the office should take the initiative;
- Fear of loss of control or legal professionalism.
AI offers tremendous opportunities for law firms, but translating legal issues into technical solutions is not obvious. That’s where our strength lies. At our firm, domain and data experts work closely together. Some colleagues have a legal background and experience in the legal profession. As a result, we understand content and context. We know how important details are in a contract or judgment and how to deploy AI without legal risks. We know how to help firms automate due diligence, accelerate contract analysis and deploy AI responsibly. This is how we help legal teams work faster, smarter and with more confidence.
From challenge to action: how to get started with AI and data as a law firm
It starts with achievable steps.
- Map your data. Where does it stand? What is usable? What needs to be cleaned up?
- Choose one concrete goal. For example: automatic sorting of incoming emails or document recognition for contracts.
- Involve your people in the process. Make AI understandable. Show that AI supports, not replaces. It works really well when embraced by employees.
- Start small, think big. Start with a pilot. Whatever works, scale up.
A small step with a clear goal and outcome often delivers more than an ambitious plan that sits on the shelf.
Conclusion: the future of the legal profession is data-driven
AI is not hype. It is a fundamental development that is going to change the practice of law. Not by replacing lawyers, but rather by empowering them. By taking over repetitive tasks and giving space to what adds value: legal strategy, analysis and client contact. The law firms that are engaged in the developments in AI and data will soon lead the way by saving time with tasks that can be outsourced.
The question is not whether you, as an office, get started with AI and data.
The question is: when and with whom?
Also getting started with AI within your (law) firm?
At DSL, we help law firms develop and implement a thoughtful AI strategy. With legal and technical expertise, we ensure AI is deployed understandably, securely and cost-effectively. We know how to get from vision to execution. Do you, as a lawyer, as a partner, want to understand where your firm stands with AI and what it can ultimately deliver in time, quality or profitability?
Looking for a partner to make AI workable?
DSL does. Contact us. Schedule a free introductory meeting here with Sebastiaan de Koning, Business Developer | AI lead for legal innovation.
