This yr was certainly one of confounding contradictions. Expertise superior shortly—quicker than ever earlier than—with authorized know-how corporations updating their software program at charges by no means earlier than seen in a race to incorporate generative synthetic intelligence capabilities. Nonetheless, regardless of the speedy deployments, the mixing of AI was typically surface-level, with deeper integrations deliberate however not but achieved.
Improvement hurdles have been quite a few. One problem was overcoming the numerous complexities concerned in leveraging accessible knowledge to supply in-depth analytics. One other difficulty was the excessive prices related to counting on mainstream generative AI fashions, resembling OpenAI and Anthropic’s Claude, particularly when performing sophisticated knowledge analyses.
Final yr, authorized professionals and regulation companies initially carried out AI at a tempo that far surpassed the adoption charges of the applied sciences that preceded it, resembling social media, cell computing and cloud computing. Nonetheless, research after research confirmed that in 2024, utilization numbers stabilized, though curiosity within the potential of generative AI remained excessive.
The preliminary uptick in utilization occurred regardless of the numerous moral challenges offered by AI, together with confidentiality, biases, “hallucinations” and extra. In response, state bars took discover and issued AI steering at a document tempo in an try to help legal professionals with navigating the numerous roadblocks encountered when utilizing these instruments of their companies.
All through all of it, I tracked AI software program developments and supplied recommendation on selecting authorized software program, most of which was AI-enabled. Conventional authorized software program classes have been additionally up to date, offering authorized professionals with new options designed to streamline observe and matter administration and automate doc creation. Every month I supplied an outline of a software program software, so should you’re out there for brand new tech in your agency, there’s an excellent likelihood certainly one of my 2024 roundups consists of the data you want.
January: Authorized tech survey outcomes
The authorized business noticed speedy modifications in 2024, pushed by fast-moving developments in tech, together with generative AI. In January, I coated the LawPay and MyCase Legal Industry Report 2024, which provides priceless insights into how companies are adapting, protecting key subjects, resembling AI adoption, widespread know-how implementation challenges, and the software program relied on to enhance effectivity and profitability. The info confirmed that in late 2023, 27% of respondents reported that they personally used generative AI instruments for work-related functions, and 24% shared that their companies had adopted legal-specific generative AI software program. Greater than half of these surveyed (53%) reported that it elevated effectivity considerably, and for twenty-four%, it elevated considerably. Different subjects coated included widespread tech implementation challenges and the software program relied on to enhance effectivity and profitability. Whether or not you’re a solo lawyer or managing a big agency, this report gives sensible recommendation on outsourcing, cost flexibility and streamlining operations.
February: Doc automation software program
In case your agency’s observe areas are document-intensive, current developments in doc automation are price exploring. As I defined in February’s article, this software program has developed considerably—now providing quicker, less complicated doc meeting. Moreover, strategic acquisitions by authorized tech corporations have built-in superior automation options into regulation observe administration platforms, making it simpler than ever to streamline doc creation workflows. Wanting forward, generative AI will additional enhance doc meeting by analyzing authorized language and the delicate nuances in context, simplifying drafting and lowering the necessity for guide enhancing. By automating the routine duties concerned in creating complicated paperwork, these developments will save time and improve productiveness.
March: AI-powered authorized analysis
Generative AI has dramatically impacted authorized analysis, with instruments resembling GPT-4 now enjoying a distinguished position. Once I final coated authorized analysis instruments in 2019, AI was getting used to refine search outcomes, however generative AI was not but out there. Right this moment, it’s embedded in most authorized analysis platforms, providing an especially intuitive interface with enhanced capabilities. Nonetheless, it’s not with out its challenges, together with hallucination dangers. My article from March explores a number of the prime authorized analysis merchandise that embody generative AI options. Whether or not you’re a seasoned lawyer or new to AI, this information will make it easier to select the precise AI-enhanced authorized analysis platform in your agency.
April: Matter administration instruments for in-house groups
With in-house authorized groups dealing with rising calls for, environment friendly workflows are important. In April, I mentioned how matter administration software program addresses this want by streamlining processes from case consumption to decision whereas enhancing collaboration with inner groups and out of doors counsel. The appropriate platform can improve effectivity, mitigate dangers and optimize operations, however choosing the precise software in your group’s distinctive wants isn’t all the time simple. This text gives an outline of matter administration software program for small-size to medium-size authorized departments, highlighting key options, resembling e-billing, workflow automation, contract administration and AI capabilities.
Could: AI transient drafting and evaluation instruments
Transient drafting and evaluation is one other space impacted by generative AI. Many transient writing platforms now embody options to help with enhancing, summarizing and drafting paperwork, they usually additionally allow the evaluation of prolonged supplies, resembling trial transcripts or appellate briefs. These instruments are notably helpful for litigators, serving to them give attention to extra complicated duties, resembling growing authorized methods and crafting arguments. May’s article focuses on AI-powered transient writing and evaluation software program developed for solo and small companies. In it, I define key options to search for, discover out there instruments, and talk about the significance of integration with a agency’s current doc creation software program to make sure a seamless transition and uninterrupted workflows.
June: AI-supported pretrial litigation
Pretrial litigation typically entails repetitive and time-consuming duties, particularly throughout the discovery section. AI instruments, notably people who incorporate generative AI, are starting to deal with these inefficiencies. By streamlining the drafting and evaluation of pleadings, discovery requests and responses, these instruments assist scale back the time spent on routine work, permitting litigators to give attention to high-impact, strategic work. This article from June critiques AI instruments for managing pretrial discovery and provides steering on choosing the precise software program in your agency. Points to think about embody figuring out workflow challenges, assessing the capabilities of current instruments, and contemplating integration choices with present programs.
July: Leveraging AI in regulation observe administration software program
Legislation observe administration platforms function the enterprise basis for a lot of companies, streamlining workflows, lowering administrative duties, and enhancing productiveness and profitability. Including generative AI options to LPM instruments enhances effectivity by automating routine duties, resembling time monitoring, invoicing, doc drafting, summarization and case updates, releasing authorized professionals to give attention to higher-value work. In July’s article, I evaluation current AI developments in LPM software program, together with key bulletins and have releases from main suppliers. I additionally supply steering on components to think about when adopting AI instruments, resembling performance, pricing and the significance of user-friendly integrations with current programs.
August: ILTACON 2024’s AI arduous promote
This yr’s ILTACON in Nashville, Tennessee, supplied flashy however unproven guarantees. Generative AI dominated the dialog, with distributors discussing formidable visions of the longer term however typically showcasing instruments in beta or early improvement mode through managed demos. Total, nonetheless, as I explained in August, it was an modern showcase of authorized tech potential with a number of key themes rising that counsel the place the business is headed. First, generative AI is shortly changing into the brand new interface for authorized tech, drastically enhancing how professionals work together with their agency’s software program and knowledge. Additionally, competitors amongst distributors was fierce, driving innovation and new options. Whereas a lot of the AI implementation remained surface-level, the promise of strong, impactful AI improvement was on the horizon.
September: AI-enabled deposition summaries and evaluation
Deposition summarization and evaluation is one other space through which generative AI is altering the way in which that authorized professionals work together with their software program. AI deposition instruments use superior algorithms to evaluation transcripts, establish crucial themes, flag inconsistencies and extract key insights. By automating these time-consuming duties, this software program allows attorneys to give attention to strategic trial preparation, quite than on mundane, time-consuming transcript evaluation. This September article explores the advantages of those instruments and provides steering on choosing the precise software program in your litigation wants.
October: The subsequent era of litigation analytics
Lastly, in last month’s article, I cowl how litigation analytics software program has developed considerably since I final wrote about it in 2020. By analyzing court docket data and selections, filings and different datasets, this software program gives insights into judges, case outcomes, attorneys and extra, enabling litigators to develop knowledgeable, data-backed methods. Some corporations have rolled out generative AI integrations that provide an intuitive conversational interface that enhances analytics features, producing summaries, predicting outcomes and providing strategic suggestions based mostly on historic developments. Utilizing this info, authorized groups can establish patterns in rulings, forecast movement success and optimize case methods.
Reflecting on 2024, wanting forward
Reflecting on the previous yr, authorized tech’s speedy evolution was pushed by the mixing of generative AI mixed with the regular refinement of core observe administration instruments. This yr had outstanding innovation and important rising pains, as companies balanced the attraction of cutting-edge applied sciences with the realities of moral implementation.
Wanting forward, the momentum from 2024 provides a robust basis for additional innovation. Ahead-thinking authorized professionals who strategy rising applied sciences with strategic planning and an open mindset shall be finest positioned to thrive. Whether or not via AI-driven analytics, enhanced case administration programs or a mix of each, the alternatives to streamline workflows and supply superior shopper service have by no means been better.
Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York-based legal professional, writer and journalist, and she or he is the principal authorized perception strategist at MyCase, an organization that gives authorized observe administration software program for small companies. She is the nationally acknowledged writer of Cloud Computing for Legal professionals and is co-author of Social Media for Legal professionals: The Subsequent Frontier, each printed by the American Bar Affiliation. She writes common columns for ABAJournal.com and Above the Legislation, has authored tons of of articles for different publications, and repeatedly speaks at conferences concerning the intersection of regulation and rising applied sciences. Comply with her on X (previously Twitter) @nikiblack, or she might be reached at [email protected].
This column displays the opinions of the writer and never essentially the views of the ABA Journal—or the American Bar Affiliation.
