What can AI do to empower those working in the legal sector today, tomorrow, and beyond?

The legal profession, long steeped in tradition and precedent, is undergoing a seismic shift. Artificial Intelligence (AI), once a distant concept, is now a powerful ally in the hands of lawyers, paralegals, and legal researchers.

In the 2025 Thomson Reuters’ Future of Professionals Report, 80% of legal professionals responded that they believe AI will have a high or transformational impact on their work within the next five years.

Other industry research shows similar interest in the potential for AI in a legal setting. Indeed, a LexisNexis report entitled ‘Fast law: why speed is the priority for lawyers using AI’ surveyed more than 800 legal professionals for their views on AI. It found that 82% are either using AI now or plan to use it. What’s more, 71% of respondents said the main benefit would be getting things done more quickly.

Other industry research shows similar interest in the potential for AI in a legal setting. Indeed, a LexisNexis report entitled ‘Fast law: why speed is the priority for lawyers using AI’ surveyed more than 800 legal professionals for their views on AI. It found that 82% are either using AI now or plan to use it. What’s more, 71% of respondents said the main benefit would be getting things done more quickly.

From streamlining document review to predicting case outcomes, AI is not just enhancing productivity — it’s redefining what’s possible. But as we look toward the future, the question isn’t just what AI can do. It’s what the legal sector stands to lose if it doesn’t embrace this transformation.

Today’s empowerment: AI as a legal assistant

In today’s legal landscape, AI is already making waves. Tools powered by machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) are helping legal professionals automate routine tasks and enhance decision-making.

Document review, contract analysis, and legal research can now be completed in minutes rather than hours. AI tools can sift through thousands of pages to identify relevant clauses, precedents, or inconsistencies. Predictive analytics tools assess historical case data to forecast outcomes, helping lawyers build stronger strategies and advise clients with greater confidence.

These capabilities are not just about efficiency — they’re about empowerment. Lawyers can focus on higher-value tasks, clients receive faster service, and legal teams operate with greater agility.

Tomorrow’s transformation: AI as a strategic partner

Looking ahead, AI’s role in the legal sector will evolve from assistant to strategic partner. "Activities such as legal research, document review, and contract analysis will become simpler and quicker, allowing lawyers to concentrate on complex and strategic work," according to Bhavisa Patel, director of legal technology at Eversheds Sutherland, as quoted in the LexisNexis report.

We’re entering an era where AI won’t just support legal work — it will help shape it with exciting new use cases, such as:

• Dynamic legal drafting: AI will generate contracts and legal documents tailored to specific jurisdictions, industries, and risk profiles, reducing human error and ensuring compliance.
• Real-time legal intelligence: AI will monitor regulatory changes, case law updates, and global legal trends, alerting professionals to shifts that impact their clients or practice areas.
• Augmented litigation: AI will simulate courtroom scenarios, analyze opposing counsel’s strategies, and even suggest optimal jury selection based on behavioral data.

This future isn’t science fiction — it’s already emerging. But it hinges on one critical factor: trust.

The foundation of confidence: trusted document management systems (DMS)

AI confidence isn’t just about technical performance — it’s about trust. AI’s effectiveness in the legal sector depends on the quality and integrity of the data it accesses. Legal professionals must trust that AI tools are accurate, secure, and aligned with ethical standards.

That trust begins with a solid foundation — a robust Document Management System (DMS) that ensures:

• Data accuracy: Clean, well-organized legal documents produce more reliable insights.
• Security and compliance: Legal data is sensitive. A trusted DMS protects client confidentiality and ensures compliance with regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Version control and audit trails: Legal professionals need to know who accessed what, when, and why. A DMS provides transparency and accountability.

Without a trusted DMS, AI becomes a potential liability rather than an asset. Poor data leads to flawed analysis. Security breaches erode client trust. And legal teams risk making decisions based on outdated or incorrect information.

Future challenges: What lies ahead

As AI becomes more embedded in legal workflows, the sector will face new challenges, including ethical dilemmas, regulatory uncertainty, and talent transformation.

Governments are still grappling with how to regulate AI to ensure fair and equitable outcomes under the law. Legal professionals must stay ahead of evolving standards and ensure their tools comply. As AI takes over routine tasks, legal professionals must upskill. The future lawyer will need to understand data science, AI ethics, and digital strategy.

In the LexisNexis report, Jonathan Kewley, partner and co-chair of the Global Tech Group at Clifford Chance, explains: "It's important that lawyers are familiar with AI technology in the same way they are with the internet now. Those that don't use it will face a bit of an existential risk."

These challenges are not insurmountable — but they require proactive adaptation. Firms that invest in AI literacy, ethical frameworks, and trusted infrastructure will thrive. Those that don’t risk:

• Competitive disadvantage: Firms using AI will deliver faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective services. Those relying solely on manual processes will struggle to compete.
• Client dissatisfaction: Clients increasingly demand transparency, speed, and data-driven insights. Without AI, firms may fail to meet these expectations.
• Talent drain: Newer legal professionals expect modern tools. Firms that resist innovation may find it harder to attract and retain top talent.

Failing to embrace AI isn’t just a missed opportunity — it’s a strategic risk.

Reshaping the legal landscape

AI is not just a tool — it’s a catalyst for transformation.

In the legal sector, it’s empowering legal professionals to work smarter, serve more people, and deliver legal services in new ways. From today’s research assistants to tomorrow’s strategic advisors and beyond, AI is reshaping the legal landscape with speed, precision, and possibility.