AI in the legal profession: if you don’t act now, you’ll fall behind

AI and data-driven ways of working are terms you hear more and more often in the legal sector. But how far have law firms come in applying them? And what is holding them back from putting them into practice?

At the Ronde Tafel Partnerkantoren hosted by Pro Bono Connect, which brought together representatives from all the leading Dutch law firms, one thing stood out: everyone is talking about AI, but bringing it into day-to-day practice takes time and adaptation. While the technology is developing rapidly, many firms are understandably grappling with the question: how can we apply it in a practical and responsible way in our daily work?

We spoke with firms about their ambitions and concerns. The opportunities are considerable, but the barriers often seem even greater. In this blog, we share the key insights and show you how your law firm can take the right steps now towards a data-driven future, with AI supporting your legal work.

AI and data: opportunities for the legal sector

Lawyers work with enormous amounts of data every day. Case files, case law, internal memos, meeting notes and emails all contain valuable information. By using AI effectively, you can put that information to use faster and more effectively.

Some specific opportunities:

• Faster research with LLMs: AI tools such as Large Language Models (LLMs) can search and analyse thousands of legal documents and filter out relevant material in seconds, a task that would otherwise take hours. This not only speeds up research but also makes AI a useful partner for discussing the substance of a case;
• Better decision-making: smart algorithms identify patterns in previous case law or files, helping you assess risks or estimate the possible outcomes of legal proceedings. It is important to consider how transparent these algorithms are. How do they reach a conclusion (their explainability)? The outcome must always remain legally defensible and explainable;
• More efficient processes: consider automatically drafting, reviewing or classifying contracts. This can save time and money. Because many AI algorithms are trained on general contracts, they may miss legal nuances or sector-specific provisions. It is important to train or adapt the algorithms to your firm’s legal context;
• Summarisation: with speech-to-text and Natural Language Processing (NLP), meetings, documents and notes can be summarised quickly and accurately. This means you spend less time writing things up and get an overview sooner.

So this is not ‘innovation that feels a world away’, but practical applications that have a direct impact on day-to-day work. Yet it is in those everyday processes that the biggest barriers lie.

Challenges law firms face

Although there is plenty of interest, actual implementation is lagging behind at many firms. These are the most commonly cited obstacles:

1. The data is there, but it is not accessible

Many firms have years’ worth of case files and documents, but:

• Information is scattered across different systems;
• Documents are not stored in a structured way;
• There is no central data policy or data strategy.

Without a firm grasp of your data, you cannot put an effective AI solution in place. That is why a successful AI strategy always starts with getting your data in order.

2. Uncertainty about ethics and legislation

The legal sector is (rightly) risk-averse. Naturally, no one wants to use AI that breaches the GDPR or produces results that cannot be explained. Common questions include:

• Is this allowed? What does the law say about using AI with client data? What is and is not permitted under the GDPR?
• Who is responsible? If AI makes a mistake or ‘hallucinates’, who is responsible and bears the consequences?
• Can it be explained? How transparent are the models that support decisions? Can we explain AI decisions to clients or judges?

Without clear answers to these questions, AI remains a grey area, and that slows adoption. An understanding of AI ethics and current AI legislation, such as the European Union’s AI Act, is essential if you want to innovate with confidence.

3. Lack of technical knowledge and willingness to change

AI often raises technical questions. That is where things get difficult: lawyers are trained in law, not data analysis. This leads to:

• Hesitation (“I don’t understand that technology anyway”);
• Uncertainty about who within the firm should take the initiative;
• Fear of losing control or legal expertise.

AI offers significant opportunities for law firms, but translating legal questions into technical solutions is not straightforward. That is where our strength lies. Our domain and data experts work closely together. Some of our colleagues have legal backgrounds and experience in legal practice. As a result, we understand both the subject matter and the context. We know how much details matter in a contract or court ruling, and how to use AI without creating legal risks. We know how to help firms automate due diligence, speed up contract analysis and use AI responsibly. This is how we help legal teams work faster, more effectively and with greater confidence.

From challenge to action: how does your law firm get started with AI and data?

It starts with achievable steps:

1. Map your data. Where is it? What is usable? What needs cleaning up?;
2. Choose one specific goal. For example, automatically sorting incoming emails or recognising documents in contracts;
3. Involve your people in the process. Make AI understandable. Show that AI supports them rather than replacing them. It works best when staff embrace it;
4. Start small, think big. Begin with a pilot. Scale up what works.  

A small step with a clear goal and outcome often delivers more than an ambitious plan that stays on the shelf.

Conclusion: the future of legal practice is data-driven

AI is not a hype. It is a fundamental development that will change legal practice. Not by replacing lawyers, but by giving them better tools. It can take over repetitive tasks and free up time for work that adds value: legal strategy, analysis and client contact. Law firms that are keeping up with developments in AI and data will be ahead because they save time on tasks they can hand over.

The question is not whether your firm will start using AI and data.
The question is: when, and with whom?

Want to start using AI in your law firm too?

At DSL, we help law firms develop and implement a considered AI strategy. Combining legal and technical expertise, we make sure AI is used in a way that is understandable, safe and commercially viable. We know how to turn a vision into practice. As a lawyer or partner, do you want to understand where your firm stands with AI and what it could ultimately deliver in terms of time, quality or returns?  

Looking for a partner who can make AI work in practice?

DSL can do that. Get in touch with us. Book a free introductory meeting with Sebastiaan de Koning here, Business Developer | AI lead for legal innovation.