The Impact of AI on Litigation (Advantages and Disadvantages)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is having a significant impact in a wide range of industries and sectors, including the legal field. While expert professionals will always be at the forefront of the legal industry, AI is playing an increasing role in how lawyers and law firms function.

It’s also having an impact on the types of cases that lawyers are handling. There’s been a rise in the number of AI litigation cases in recent months, such as in instances when copyrighted content has been mined for use by AI models such as ChatGPT.

In this article, we’re going to take a deeper dive into the world of AI litigation, looking at how it benefits law firms, the problems it may pose, and the legal problems of artificial intelligence. Given the increasing use and sophistication of artificial intelligence, law firms should look at keeping up to date with AI developments in the legal sector.

Optimizing Research

Any lawyer practicing during the pre-computer era can tell you just how long it took to research. Without digital repositories, the drudgery of manual research “slowed” all of litigation. “Slowed” is in quotes because that prior pace is only “slow” in retrospect. Given client expectations of the time, litigation’s relatively leisurely pace was of no consequence. Fast forward to emails – purported bastions of time savings – whose efficiency gains were quickly eclipsed by client expectations, causing a new world of immediate demands and, consequently, fast-paced litigation practices.

So too have the efficiency gains made by digital research repositories been met with heightened client expectations. Memos once expected next week are now expected within the next hour.

With increasingly capable AI research tools, the process of collecting and filtering research nearly instantaneous. Will these tools save attorneys’ time? Certainly – but that time – those minutes – may soon be weighted by increased client expectations.

Saving Time

AI litigation tools help law firms save significant amounts of time by automating the discovery response process. Tools such as Briefpoint make it much faster to construct the vital documents that law firms need to handle discovery efficiently. According to insights, tools such as Briefpoint can reduce spent time on these documents by as much as 87%.

These types of AI tools don’t just help to save time — they ensure standardization of a law firm’s work product such that firms can trust that every document they generate with Briefpoint meets their high expectations of quality.

AI legal document software essentially takes care of the time-consuming aspects of document creation, but law firms can still add their own objections and responses, ensuring that they’re still quality documents based on their firm’s gold standards.

Reducing Barriers to Legal Assistance

Artificial intelligence software also makes it easier for people who may historically not have had access to legal support to get the help they need. There are many instances where people are unable to pursue legal avenues because of a lack of capital or know-how.

AI software has allowed people from these groups to begin the process of pursuing legal damages with a few clicks of a button. For instance, there are tools that will instantly generate a personalized lawsuit against robocall companies.

This aspect of AI litigation is still in development, but it’s expected to grow significantly in the coming years. While broadly positive, the downside could be that courts are overwhelmed by quickly generated lawsuits even when the grounds for the lawsuit are relatively thin.

Skill Development for Legal Professionals

AI litigation tools are just beginning to infiltrate the legal system, but in the coming years, they’ll be widespread. To make the most of these advanced tools, lawyers and law firm workers will need to upskill to learn how to leverage the impact of the software that’s available. As with all industries, AI isn’t designed to take over from law professionals; they’re there to supplement.

Legal professionals will need to learn how to select the right tool for the job, use the tools effectively, and generally stay up to date with new developments to stay ahead of the curve and ensure that they’re getting the most from these powerful tools.

Better Decision Making

Though the technology to help lawyers enhance their decision-making processes is still in its infancy, it’s anticipated to become more advanced and widely available in the coming years.

Lawyers will be able to use these tools to get valuable insights into the predicted outcome of a case, analyze similar cases from the past, and all-around have a deeper understanding of the broader context of their case. This will help law firms to plan their strategy more effectively and make better, more informed decisions.

Customer Service

Customer service is paramount in all industries, but especially in the legal field when customers have a more significant emotional stake than in other sectors. AI-powered chatbots can make it easier for law firms to manage customer requests and questions, often resolving the issue without human intervention.

Even if a human response is required, the information gathered by an AI chatbot can help to reduce the amount of time the professional spends crafting a response since it will already have gathered the necessary information.

How AI Will Impact the Future of Law?

We’re still at the beginning of the AI journey. The tools that law firms currently have access to are powerful and can have a transformative impact on operations, and that’s expected to only develop further in the coming years.

It would have been unthinkable to believe that the current crop of AI software tools would have existed just a few years ago, so it’s impossible to say what type of tools will be available in the next decade or so.

Are Humans Still Superior?

It’s important to note that while AI tools are getting a lot of attention, and are increasingly popular, they won’t replace trained professionals anytime soon. While popular, they lack the capacity to weigh up all the myriad factors that contribute to making a valuable, informed decision.

That only comes with experience and expertise. So while they will certainly have a place in the legal field, it’ll still be the skilled professionals at the heart of the legal industry that play the biggest role. It’s also unclear whether AI will impact the roles of less-skilled jobs within the legal sector, such as legal assistants.

New Case Areas

So far, we’ve talked about how litigators and law firms may use AI software tools to enhance their operations. However, there’s another side to AI litigation, too — the law cases lodged because of AI.

This is a growing area of the law industry that is largely without precedence. We’re already seeing some high-profile cases, including instances of artists claiming that AI companies are stealing their work or celebrities claiming that they’re using their likeness.

There’s been a string of household names who have denounced marketing companies for using AI-generated videos and images featuring the individual in their marketing campaigns.

Legal Aspects AI May Influence

The cases involving artificial intelligence we’ve outlined above are just the beginning of what could be a tsunami of AI-connected lawsuits and legal matters. Some legal frameworks that AI tools may influence include:

Privacy Matters

Privacy is a hot topic, but some AI tools, by nature, rely on individuals’ information to function correctly. Those types of tools may face legal scrutiny and lawsuits if they don’t integrate data protection into their services.

Antitrust

The race to be the leader in the AI field may lead to antitrust investigations if it appears that one company is edging towards a monopoly.

Liability

AI tools will cause incidents in the future, especially in the case of self-driving cars. It’s unclear, as it stands, who will be liable for such instances. This is likely to be a developing legal aspect that is drafted in response to incidents.

Discrimination

AI systems are trained by humans, and if the data inputted into the systems leads to discrimination, even involuntarily, then there may be a raft of discrimination-based lawsuits. This is possible in fields such as criminal justice and employment.

AI Overview in the Legal Industry

Artificial intelligence is on the rise in the legal industry, and that’s exciting news for law firms, which can save significant amounts of time while benefiting from enhanced outcomes. The other side of AI in the legal sector is that it will prompt new lawsuits based on AI tools, such as copyright infringement and privacy concerns.

How Briefpoint AI Can Help You

Discovery responses cost firms $23,240, per year, per attorney. The $23,240 estimate assumes an associate attorney salary of $150,000 (including benefits – or $83 an hour), 20 cases per year/per associate, 4 discovery sets per case, 30 questions per set, 3.5 hours spent responding to each set, and 1800 hours of billable hours per year.

Under these assumptions, you save $19,465 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs In Relation to AI Litigation

How Can AI Help In Litigation?

Artificial intelligence can assist law firms by streamlining the research and document discovery process. With more tools coming out all the time, lawyers can expect to utilize more tools in the future that help to save time and work more efficiently.

How Does AI Prompt Litigation?

AI litigation is on the rise, largely because it’s a new aspect of law without any historical precedence. Cases can relate to privacy, using the likeness of an individual without their consent, and discrimination (in the case of AI tools used during the employment process).

What AI Tools Are Available In the Legal Industry?

There are many AI tools currently available to the legal industry. Briefpoint is a popular option which allows law firms to automate discovery responses and requests.

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Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website authors, contributors, contributing law firms, or committee members and their respective employers.

New Feature: Filter Content by Case and Document Type

In the ever-evolving world of litigation, efficiency and accuracy are crucial for success. Legal professionals understand the importance of having quick access to relevant information. As a leading provider of innovative legal solutions, Briefpoint is proud to announce its latest feature update – the ability to filter objections and responses by document and case type. This groundbreaking tool ensures that litigators can swiftly locate pertinent work product while drafting discovery responses, saving valuable time and promoting standardization across all cases within an organization.

Time-saving: With a vast database of objections and responses at their disposal, litigators often find themselves sifting through massive amounts of information to find what they need. Briefpoint’s new case type filter eliminates the need for tedious and time-consuming searches, streamlining the process and allowing legal professionals to focus on their primary task – crafting compelling arguments for their clients.

Standardization: Large organizations often struggle to maintain uniformity in their responses across cases. With the new case type filter, organizations can easily input their history of responses, ensuring that all team members have access to consistent information.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Case Type Filter Feature

Accessing the Feature: To begin using the case type filter, log in to your Briefpoint account and navigate to your Library’s discovery response drafting section.

Selecting the Case Type: Choose your content and locate the case type dropdown menu located near the top of the page. Click on the menu and choose the appropriate case type from the list provided.

Drafting Responses: With the relevant objections and responses now labeled, you can begin drafting your discovery responses with ease. Select the desired case type from the Edit Case page and now the content that you similarly tagged is surfaced right where you respond. The seamless integration of the case type filter allows for a smooth drafting process without the need to switch between screens or search for additional information.

Briefpoint’s new case type filter feature is a game-changer for litigators, streamlining the discovery response process and promoting consistency within legal teams. By providing easy access to relevant objections and responses, this feature saves time and allows litigators to focus on what truly matters – winning cases for their clients. With Briefpoint’s commitment to innovation and constant improvement, we look forward to seeing how this new feature will revolutionize the way legal professionals work and achieve success in the courtroom.

Best 5 Gavel Software Alternatives in 2024

Looking for discovery response automation software? There are plenty of options available on the market. Of course, as with all things, some tools are better than others.

The best document automation software tools are easy to use and effective, and help law firms save significant amounts of time, which they can then spend on value-adding tasks.

In this post, we’ll review some of the best Gavel alternatives available to litigators and law firms.

Briefpoint

There are plenty of Gavel alternatives, but none can match Briefpoint for discovery document automation. Briefpoint makes it as easy as possible for law firms to automate the key discovery response and request processes, resulting in hours of saved time that lawyers can spend drafting what really matters.

Briefpoint has been built specifically with the legal industry in mind, making it intuitive for law firms to use. The powerful AI integrations ensure that it’s highly effective and makes working straightforward.

Thanks to Briefpoint’s intuitive design, while sophisticated, Briefpoint can nevertheless be used by professionals of all technical abilities.

The result? Hours saved on each document. You can get started with Briefpoint by scheduling a demo.

Rally

Rally is a law-focused automation tool that focuses on many legal tasks, not just document creation.

With Rally, you have control over many aspects of the client experience, and you can also use it to customize branding, organize documents, and accept payments.

While Rally is a powerful tool, it does have a couple of disadvantages. The main one is that it offers many different features that may not be required by the law firm, resulting in paying for a product that is not fully needed.

In addition, its document creation capabilities are not as advanced as other Gavel alternatives, such as Briefpoint. It also has a high price point.

However, it may be suitable for individual lawyers who want an all-encompassing tool with which they can complete a variety of tasks.

Hotdocs

HotDocs has been around for a long time, which is both a positive and a negative. On the plus side, they have experience in putting together forward-thinking document generation software.

However, because it’s been around for a while, it’s lacking some of the innovation that you’ll find in other tools. It also is not specifically designed for use in the legal field, which makes it a little more difficult for legal professionals to use.

It’s generally more complicated to use than other Gavel alternatives, with many of the tool’s features requiring coding experience. If you have coding experience along with the time to get to grips with HotDocs, then you’ll find it to be powerful. It’s also recommended if you serve a variety of different sectors, not just the legal field.

Woodpecker

Woodpecker is a software tool that’s easy to use and offers a wide variety of features, including legal document automation. It’s suitable for both large and small law firms and is adept at creating both complex and straightforward documents.

The software puts a greater emphasis on the client experience than other tools, and could well be regarded as a client onboarding tool rather than a document automation tool.

Still, it’s possible to create discovery responses and requests documents once you know how, and it also integrates with a number of tools widely used within the legal field.

PandaDoc

PandaDoc is a popular document automation software tool that claims to help professionals save up to 40% of time per document. It wasn’t specifically designed for use in the legal industry, but it includes a number of tools that legal professionals will appreciate.

It comes packed with features that help with various tasks beyond document creation, such as streamlining the customer experience. While powerful, it is more complex than other tools, and may not be suitable for firms looking to get up and running with their software quickly.

How Briefpoint Can Help You

Discovery responses cost firms $23,240, per year, per attorney. $23,240 estimate assumes an associate attorney salary of $150,000 (including benefits – or $83 an hour), 20 cases per year/per associate, 4 discovery sets per case, 30 questions per set, 3.5 hours spent responding to each set, and 1800 hours of billable hours per year.

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Gavel Alternatives

What Can You Do With Legal Document Automation Software?

Legal document automation software helps to streamline the discovery response and request process. By spending less time on these time-consuming tasks, legal professionals can spend more time on value-adding tasks, all the while having confidence that their documents are just as they should be.

What Is The Best Gavel.io Alternative?

There are plenty of Gavel alternatives on the market. One of the best is Briefpoint, which offers automated discovery response and request documents. Featuring a high customer satisfaction score of 4.9/5, Briefpoint has become known for being one of the best AI legal tools in the industry, capable of reducing the time spent on each document by up to 87%.

What to Look For In Legal Document Automation Software?

Not all legal documentation automation software is the same, so it’s important to look through the Gavel alternatives and find the one that’s right for your needs. In general, it’s best to look at software that is effective, powerful, and easy to use — with those three attributes, law firms can ensure that they have a tool that can seriously enhance their productivity.

Responding to Interrogatories in California

Overview of California Interrogatories

In California’s superior court system, responding to interrogatories in an unlimited civil case involves navigating a myriad of procedural rules and best practices.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to effectively managing interrogatory responses, including understanding deadlines, modifying response times, handling objections, and formatting responses.

By delving into the California Code of Civil Procedure and relevant case law, litigation attorneys can gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in responding to interrogatories and better represent their clients in court.

Interrogatory Obligations

Parties have an obligation to furnish all reasonably available information when responding to interrogatories, as required by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.220(a) and (c). This includes information known by counsel or held by organizational parties, such as officers, employees, and former employees, as established in cases like Scheiding v. Dinwiddie Constr. Co., 69 Cal. App. 4th 64, 76 (1999). If an interrogatory cannot be answered completely, it must be answered to the extent possible, in accordance with Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.220(b) and § 2030.240(a).

Drafting Interrogatory Responses

Responses to interrogatories should be formatted like court filings, with the case and court information, and include the name of the responding party, the propounding party, and the set number, as directed by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.210(b) and Cal. Rules of Ct., Rule 3.1000(a). Each response should be numbered, complete, and straightforward. Objections must be stated clearly and specifically, as outlined in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.240(b).

Rules for Responding to Interrogatories

When answering an interrogatory, the response should be as complete and straightforward as possible, based on the information reasonably available to the responding party, as mandated by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.220(a) and established in cases like Hernandez v. Superior Ct., 112 Cal. App. 4th 285, 294 (2003). Factually deficient interrogatory responses can shift the burden on summary judgment, as demonstrated in Cornell v. Berkeley Tennis Club, 18 Cal. App. 5th 908, 934 (2017).

Objection to Interrogatories

Valid objections may include compound, conjunctive, or disjunctive interrogatories, as prohibited by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.060(f); questions that are not self-contained, as specified in Catanese v. Superior Court, 46 Cal. App. 4th 1159, 1164 (1996); cumulative, duplicative, or unduly burdensome requests, as restricted by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 2019.030 and 2030.090; irrelevant information, as defined by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 2017.010, 2019.030, and 2030.010; requests exceeding the interrogatory limit, as established in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.030 et seq.; premature contention interrogatories, as cautioned in Judicial Council Form Interrogatories-General (Form DISC-001), Sec. 2(d); and requests seeking privileged or protected information, as detailed in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 2018.020 et seq. and 2030.240(b), among others.

Client Verification

Interrogatory responses must be signed under oath by the party to whom they are directed and, if objections are included, by the party’s attorney, as required by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.250(a) and (c). If the responding party is a corporation, partnership, association, or governmental agency, an officer or agent of the entity must verify the responses, as stated in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.250(b).

Serving the Interrogatories

Responses to interrogatories are served on the parties but not filed with the court unless relevant to a motion or other court hearing, according to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.260 and Cal. Rules of Ct., Rule 3.250(a)(8). They must be served within 30 days of service, along with a proof of service, as outlined in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 1013a, 1013b, and 2030.260(c).

Supplemental Your Interrogatories

If a party determines that a prior interrogatory answer is incorrect or incomplete, they may serve an amended or supplemental answer, as allowed by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.310(a). However, parties do not have an ongoing obligation to supplement their interrogatory responses, as highlighted in R & B Auto Ctr., Inc. v. Farmers Grp., Inc., 140 Cal. App. 4th 327, 358 (2006) and Biles v. Exxon Mobil Corp., 124 Cal. App. 4th 1315, 1325 (2004).

Deadline for Responding to Interrogatories

In general, parties must respond to interrogatories within 30 days of service, as mandated by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.260(a). However, the 30-day deadline may be extended depending on the method of service, as outlined in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 1010.6, 1013, and 2016.050. For electronic or overnight delivery, the extension is two court days. If the interrogatories were served by mail, the extension is five calendar days for in-state mail, ten calendar days for out-of-state mail, and twenty calendar days for international mail.

Asking for More Time

The deadline for responding to interrogatories may be shortened or extended through a court order or a stipulation between the parties, as provided by Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 2030.260(a) and 2030.270. Parties should generally grant first requests for extensions unless abused or time-sensitive, in line with professional courtesy and to avoid unnecessary requests for judicial intervention. A written stipulation specifying the new deadline is necessary and, unless stated otherwise, does not waive the objections of the responding party, according to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.270(b) and (c). If a stipulation cannot be reached, court approval is required under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.060(a).

Failing to Respond on Time

Failing to timely respond to interrogatories may result in waiving any objections or the right to produce documents in lieu of a narrative response, as stated in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.290(a). However, the court may relieve the responding party from this waiver if they can demonstrate that their failure was due to mistake, inadvertence, or excusable neglect, and they have since provided a substantially compliant response, per Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.290(a)(1) and (2).

Conclusion

Effectively responding to interrogatories in California requires adherence to specific procedural rules and a thorough understanding of best practices.

By mastering these intricacies and referencing the California Code of Civil Procedure and relevant case law, litigation attorneys can efficiently manage interrogatory responses and better represent their clients in court.

How Briefpoint Can Help You

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

The Work Product Doctrine in California (2024 Guide for Litigation Attorneys)

The Work Product Doctrine Overview

The work product doctrine is a fundamental aspect of California law that protects certain materials from disclosure or discovery in civil litigation. This article will delve into the principles and requirements of this doctrine, specifically covering the types of materials protected as work product, persons who may claim work product protection, exceptions to the work product doctrine, and waiver of work product protection.

Work Product Protection Purpose

The work product doctrine, codified in California law under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2018.010 et seq., serves two primary purposes: preserving the rights of attorneys to prepare cases for trial with necessary privacy and preventing attorneys from taking undue advantage of their adversary’s industry and efforts. Although the statute appears to apply only to discovery proceedings, courts have held that it also shields work product from disclosure at trial and extends to criminal proceedings.

What is Protected by the Work Product Doctrine?

In California, the work product doctrine provides two types of protection for attorney work product: absolute and qualified.

Absolute protection covers “a writing that reflects an attorney’s impressions, conclusions, opinions, or legal research or theories is not discoverable under any circumstances.” (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2018.030(a)) Qualified privilege covers the other work product of an attorney and “is not discoverable unless the court determines that denial of discovery will unfairly prejudice the party seeking discovery in preparing that party’s claim or defense or will result in an injustice.” (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2018.030(b))

Who Owns the Protection?

Work product protection is a type of privilege that belongs to the attorney and may be claimed or waived by the attorney. However, it may also be claimed by the client on behalf of the attorney in the attorney’s absence. Additionally, a litigant acting in propria persona may assert the statutory work product protection on their own behalf.

Exceptions to Work Product Protection

Work product protection does not apply in certain circumstances, including actions between attorneys and clients involving breach of attorney’s duty, official investigations or proceedings involving alleged participation by attorneys in crime or fraud, and State Bar disciplinary proceedings.

Waiving the Protection

Work product protection may be waived through various means, such as disclosure or consent to disclosure, failure to assert the protection when the opportunity arises, placing certain matters at issue, or engaging in conduct inconsistent with claiming the privilege. Inadvertent disclosure of work product does not necessarily waive the protection, but receiving attorneys must act ethically and responsibly in such situations.

Conclusion

The work product doctrine is a vital component of California law that safeguards the attorney-client relationship and ensures that attorneys can effectively prepare for litigation. By understanding the principles and requirements of this doctrine, litigation attorneys can better navigate the complexities of the legal system and protect their clients’ interests.

Briefpoint Litigation Software

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

Propounding Discovery: Streamlining In 2024

Propounding discovery refers to initiating a formal exchange of information with an opposing party in a legal context. It is essential in many lawsuits, occuring within the discovery phase before parties go to court.

If you are the party “propounding discovery,” you are the one sending information requests to the other side. Permitted ways to do this include sending requests for production or filing interrogatories and requests for admission.

However, creating and sending these documents by hand is time-consuming and prone to errors. You could submit requests using improper formats or language, preventing you from securing the target information you want.

That’s where propounding discovery software can help. It provides advanced features to streamline document production, avoid errors, and reduce time spent on non-billable tasks.

Propounding Discovery Overview

Law offices need to initiate discovery for various reasons. The principal purpose is to gather evidence that supports your client’s case. Learning more about the circumstances of the events in question can help you prepare superior responses in court.

However, there are other reasons for propounding discovery. For example, it also assists in learning more about the other party’s position and weaknesses. Furthermore, you may also identify potential witnesses and experts and learn more about the precise issues in dispute during this investigative stage. Enhanced discovery improves your capacity to serve your clients.

Your Obligations During Propounding Discovery

While propounding discovery is an accepted legal process, you must still fulfill various obligations. That’s why software can be beneficial. It helps you avoid non-compliance.

For example, requests for information must be relevant and proportional to the case. You must focus (in general) on obtaining answers that help you resolve the dispute. Requests shouldn’t place any undue burden on the responding party.

You must also format and serve discoveries according to court rules. Failing to adhere to guidelines could result in judges throwing out requests.

Getting compliance right, though, is challenging. Opposing parties have certain rights, including objecting to burdensome or irrelevant information requests. Attorney-client privilege also lets them bar demands for sensitive information.

Fortunately, you can limit these risks while maximizing compliance by using software. Carefully calibrated solutions provide recognized requests while saving time.

The Benefits Of Using Software For Propounding Discovery

Before we discuss the specific features of propounding discovery software, let’s review some of the benefits it offers.

A centralized platform that attorneys can use whenever they want to make a request
Improved visibility over the discovery process – paperwork is digital, not hidden away in a file somewhere
Better workflow streamlining, including making requests (and responding to them) with minimal typing or manual entry required
Improved ability to meet deadlines imposed for discovery by the court
Enhanced team productivity and less time spent on non-billable work
Reduction in the risk of accidental information exposure using pre-filled template libraries
Less rote work and more focus on high-value tasks
Pre-formatted requests that increase the likelihood of discovery

Software Features That Let You Streamline The Propounding Discovery Process

Advances in AI and software generally mean that today’s solutions are more capable than ever. Tools offer various features that improve the process and enable you to get the information you and your clients need. Here’s what to expect:

Template Libraries

Propounding discovery software comes with template libraries you can use to make information requests. These save time and free up attorneys and other legal professionals to focus on higher-value tasks.

Briefpoint offers extensive template libraries for various case categories across information request classes. For instance, we have over 87 special interrogatories pre-formatted for auto torts and more for requests for admission and production.

Using template libraries is straightforward. Most leading solutions let you click the item you want to include, whether sending a request to a plaintiff, defendant, or another party. That’s true of Briefpoint.

Furthermore, these template libraries include careful wording to minimize the risk of receiving a valid objection from the opposing party. For example, Briefpoint includes interrogatories such as:

Automated Drafting Tools

Automated drafting tools are another essential ingredient of top-rated propounding discovery software. These systems enable you to craft the precise document you need, depending on who you send it to and the information you request.

Briefpoint does this by taking you through a multi-choice wizard. Fillable forms give you the option to provide a short title for the case, the case number, the full title of the case, the client position (plaintiff, defendant, cross-defendant, or cross-complainant), representative action (individual, class action, or PAGA), the case type (i.e., auto, business, civil rights, etc.), the various parties’ names, and the venue. Entering this information supplies the propounding discovery document software with the essential formatting information to proceed.

The information you must include varies between jurisdictions. However, advanced software helps you cover your bases by adding things like:

The deadline for responding to the request
Clear and concise statements about the requests
Instructions on how the opposing party should format its responses
A statement underlining the legal standing of the request

Once you add this information, the software formats it for you, regardless of the document you want to submit. The next step is to choose the request type so the software can present the proper library of pre-formatted requests discussed in the previous section.

Briefpoint lets you draft any of the following:

Request for Admission. These requests ask the opposing party to admit or deny various “truths” or facts associated with a case. These are helpful when you want to narrow down the disputed facts and save time.
Request for Production. These requests ask the opposing party to produce legal documents associated with the case. Any requests for paperwork must be relevant and helpful in proving your client’s case.
Special Interrogatories. These written questions are limited to a specific topic or issue relating to the case. You might submit them to identify potential witnesses or better understand the other party’s stance on an issue.

Once you provide Briefpoint with this information, you can populate your document with specific requests. The software will format and structure the paperwork according to best practices.

Checking Compliance

Once you finish telling the software what document you want it to create, you can download it for review. (Briefpoint lets you do this in Microsoft Word). This step allows you to check it for compliance before sending it off. While developers take special care to ensure that template requests follow established norms and practices, you are responsible for any new items you insert or edits to existing suggestions.

Understanding How Propounding Software Can Streamline Discovery

Opposing parties can object to responding to discovery requests under certain conditions. Requests are unlikely to succeed if they:

Are irrelevant to the case
Are excessively burdensome
Violate various attorney-client privileges that protect some details from disclosure

Therefore, using propounding discovery software is helpful. It reduces the risk of rejected requests, supporting your client’s case.

Briefpoint’s propounding discovery solutions are a case in point. Filing by hand is tedious, but getting our software to do it instead could save you up to 87% of your time. You can also use it to avoid costly mistakes, such as disclosing information about your client you shouldn’t. Responses comply with ethical rules for better decision-making.

Understanding the role of propounding software in your legal practice discussed in this post should enable you to make requests more effectively. You can avoid compliance issues while working in your client’s best interests.

How Briefpoint Can Help You

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs In Relation to Propounding Discovery

What does propounding discovery software do?

Propounding discovery software streamlines the information-gathering process in legal practice. It enables you to ask opposing parties for information in a legally permissible way without having to write requests by hand while reducing the risk of non-compliance.

How do you write a propounding discovery request?

The best way to write a discovery request is to get software to do it for you. Briefpoint provides templates to make case-specific requests that fall within accepted court guidelines.

What is the purpose of propounding discovery software?

Propounding discovery software makes gathering information from the other side in a legal case more straightforward. Solutions come with template libraries you can use to collect the information in a legally compliant way.

Can you edit requests in propounding discovery software?

The best propounding discovery software tools let you edit library templates included in their packages. For example, Briefpoint lets you customize standard requests how you want. You can add extra information or upload requests in your preferred format.

Discovery Responses: How Can Software Help?

Discovery Responses Overview

Responding to opposing an opposing party’s requests for information can be time-consuming and cognitively challenging. Unfortunately, many law firms have become accustomed to using manual paperwork to deal with these.

Now, though, software is helping. Law firms are experimenting with automation software like Briefpoint, to expedite the tedious work of drafting discovery responses and focus on what matters most.

The benefits of using software to automate discovery responses are substantial. Solutions reduce costs, minimize the risk of inadvertent disclosure of privileged information, and improve accuracy. Once law firms start using them, they often wonder why they didn’t discover them earlier.

This article explains how software solutions, like Briefpoint, can assist with discovery response. We cover the principal benefits and how AI-infused tools transform workflows.

Improving The Review Process

The primary benefit of discovery response software is its capacity to streamline the review process. Instead of reading through documents manually, systems crawl submissions for relevant information and extract it for evaluation.

For example, Briefpoint’s solution does this using advanced artificial intelligence (AI). It scans documents, pulls relevant information, and assists you in responding. Simply upload requests for admission/production or interrogatories and get a suite of tools for adding objections and responses.

Another benefit of software in the review process is helping avoid missing critical items in discovery requests, a common problem in legal practices. Attorneys and paralegals can sometimes skip crucial information when crafting responses. However, software solves this problem by using AI to extract anything essential. It never gets tired, reducing the risk of error or non-compliance.

Briefpoint makes this aspect of the review process simpler. AI then presents short reviewable snippets you can use when crafting your response. This helps with productivity and prevents tedious mistakes.

Building Strong Responses

While providing information to the opposing party is sometimes mandatory, it can put clients at an unnecessary disadvantage when done incorrectly. Therefore, software solutions also help you build strong discovery responses.

For example, software can integrate legal databases and relevant case law to support the integrity of your objections. It can also call on pre-filled template libraries (and fields), enabling you to “drop-and-drag” or simply click your responses into existence.

You choose from a list of legally permissible responses added automatically. It happens almost instantaneously. The best solutions let you draft documents with a click and apply standards across your firm.

For example, Briefpoint includes template responses and automatic objections you can add to your reply (that qualify under the law), saving an estimated 87% of your time. (You can download them into Word format to edit them further).

Software can also include automated filtering and tagging. These features scan documents, looking for keyphrases that indicate a request for privileged data. The most advanced tools use machine learning to look for confidential information. This technology streamlines the review process further and provides practitioners with greater confidence when submitting documents to the opposing party.

Enhanced Communication, Organization, And Security

Another benefit of discovery automation software is enhanced communication and collaboration. Team members can work in tandem to optimize replies and ensure optimal client protection within the law.

The best tools also enhance security, enabling you to comply with data protection laws within and across jurisdictions. For example, Briefpoint puts multiple measures in place to prevent data loss or theft. For instance, in-transit and at-rest encryption means that documents uploaded to us remain inaccessible regardless of location (except to those with permission).

We also perform regular document backups and maintain redundant servers to ensure you don’t lose any uploaded paperwork. On the backend, our team implements mandatory code reviews and conducts regular internal security audits on all technical decisions. And Microsoft Azure is our login security provider, compatible with multiple business-related accounts.

Understanding The Value Of Discovery Response Software

Ultimately, discovery response software tools help you cut the amount of non-billable time your team spends on discovery responses. Speeding up back-office processes enables you to operate more efficiently while assuring your clients’ best interests.

They also enable you to enjoy a host of additional benefits, such as avoiding disclosing privileged information and improving the accuracy of your responses. You can streamline your workflow and achieve peace of mind.

How Briefpoint Can Help You

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs In Relation To Discovery Responses

How do you respond to a discovery?

The best way to respond to discovery is to write each interrogatory and provide your response underneath it. Sometimes, you will provide the requested information, but other times you will want to list an objection. Briefpoint makes this process simple by providing a library of template responses you can use for variegated requests.

What happens if you don’t answer a discovery?

Failing to respond to a discovery can lead to various sanctions, including fines and penalties in the courtroom. It could also undermine your credibility.

What is a written discovery response?

A written discovery response is a document that provides a discovery request reply in writing. It can be electronic or mailed to the opposing party’s representative.

How do you write a discovery request?

Writing a discovery request requires extensive legal knowledge and understanding of permissible objections. However, software tools offer various shortcuts. For instance, BriefPoint can scan discovery requests and provide bespoke responses and objection suggestions based on the received text using AI.

How to Automate Legal Discovery In 2024 (Using AI)

Estimates suggest that lawyers only bill 2.3 hours during an 8-hour workday. What happens to the rest of your time?

Unfortunately, much of it goes on paperwork, such as legal discovery. Lawyers spend vast tracts of their office hours performing non-billable tasks, reducing their earning power and risking burnout.

That’s why there is now significant interest in automating legal discovery processes. Law firms and individual attorneys want to save time and money by getting sophisticated software to streamline this workflow.

Such technology now exists. For example, Briefpoint’s discovery document drafting software can save an estimated 87% of the time needed in creating a response. Furthermore, these new tools do not require sophisticated technical skills.

In this article, we’ll explore how to automate legal discovery responses. Once you learn how to do this, you can save time and money and avoid spending hours of your day on dull, non-billable tasks.

Automating Legal Discovery Responses

Automating legal discovery responses involves choosing appropriate software from the many options available on the market. The solution you select will determine how much you can reduce labor and increase your billable hours.

The following is a step-by-step guide to how the most advanced AI-powered software automates legal discovery responses. These products balance the need to speed up work against the requirement for legal accuracy and compliance.

Analyze The Discovery Request

Discovery response automation tools first analyze the discovery request from the opposing party. Sophisticated AI systems analyze text, extracting relevant pieces of information.

For example, Briefpoint uses machine learning to transform opposing parties’ requests for information into digestible lists.

This feature lets you see their demands in a pithy, easy-to-interpret format, speeding up response. (Briefpoint can interpret requests in formats accepted in all fifty states).

Respond

AI tools next use AI to help you respond faster to legal discovery requests. Tools use a variety of templates and libraries to insert language that is legally permissible and in your client’s best interest.

For example, Briefpoint provides two ways to automate this process. The first is to click relevant responses from the menu on the left-hand side. Selecting an objection will cause that response to appear in the text in reply to the request.

However, you can also get the software to suggest objections for you (and why they apply to the request). Using this method will highlight anything the solution thinks is relevant, given the inputted text. Then, you can quickly review them, editing them where appropriate.

Finally, you can use these tools to add a substantive response. This automated piece of text provides additional context for your reply.

Download And Review

Finally, you will need to download and review the response document. Solutions vary in their usability. Some require using their integrated word-processing software, while others force you to use PDFs.

By contrast, Briefpoint lets you download your document into Microsoft Word, which probably integrates better into your workflow.

You can see the edited document at any production stage, allowing you to add or subtract from it whenever you want.

Automating Legal Discovery

AI tools can also automate the creation of legal discovery documents, such as requests for admission, requests for production, and interrogatories. These facilities mean you can automate the initiation aspect of legal discovery work, not just the response.

Designing Your Document

The first step is to draft your propounding discovery document. Solutions begin by collecting essential information to populate the request. For example, Briefpoint asks for information about the case name, request type (request for admission, request for production, or interrogatory), and the responding party.

You can also link it to an existing case or client or a new one.

Add Requests

The next step is to add your requests. Automation software accelerates this process by including pre-built requests grouped by case type and theories of law.

For example, Briefpoint lets you select interrogatories related to “auto torts” with a click and add them to your request.

Download And Review

The final step is to download and review your newly generated request document. Again, Briefpoint lets you edit it in Word, ready to attach in an email or print.

Understanding The Benefits Of Automating Legal Discovery

While automating legal discovery work can save you time and money, it also offers a multitude of additional benefits. For instance, using tools properly can help reduce errors in discovery responses.

These tools can quickly identify key themes in the documents you receive and offer permissible retorts that reduce the risk of unnecessarily revealing privileged information.

Furthermore, such tools can also help you improve your relationship with your client. Instead of poring over paperwork, you can focus more on your case and building healthy client relationships.

Ultimately, these tools shift the balance of focus of your work. Briefpoint reduces drudgery, helping you operate more efficiently and spend time on the most enjoyable aspects of your job.

Briefpoint Automates Legal Discovery

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs In Relation to How to Automate Legal Discovery

How do you automate legal work?

The degree to which you can automate legal work depends on the tools you use. Next-generation software, like Briefpoint, uses advanced AI to extract relevant information from discoveries and provides a template, legally permissible, and editable responses you can include.

Can AI write a legal brief?

AI can write legal briefs. However, due to problems around hallucination (including false information), the industry doesn’t believe the current generation of large language models (LLMs) is ready for prime time. However, such tools can help generate content for professional attorneys to review.

What is e-discovery in law?

E-discovery is simply the electronic version of conventional discovery. It involves submitting requests for production, requests for admission, and interrogatories via digital means (over the Internet) instead of by hand or mail.

Are lawyers safe from automation?

While there is significant hype around AI’s potential, lawyers are probably safe from automation. Tools like Briefpoint speed up their work and enable them to do their jobs faster without as much repetitive work.

Best 7 Legal Document Automation Softwares In 2024

Advances in software and artificial intelligence (AI) are enabling the legal profession to automate more rote tasks. Solutions reduce the burden on attorneys and paralegals, driving up margins, reducing burnout, and enabling more client focus.

Unfortunately, not all lawyers are technically minded, limiting their capacity to choose a suitable solution. Dozens of software developers promise remarkable benefits, but which can produce the goods?

In this article, we’ll explore the best 7 legal document automation softwares in today’s market, helping you find solutions to drive success in your practice.

1. Briefpoint

Source: Briefpoint

Briefpoint is among the most advanced document automation softwares on the market. Currently trusted by over 500 law firms. It eliminates routine discovery response and request drafting tasks so you can save time.

As a legal sector-specific tool, Briefpoint focuses on requests for admission, requests for production, and interrogatories. These documents are famously time-consuming, but the document automation tool automates the process using the power of machine learning.

For instance, Briefpoint’s AI begins scanning straight away when uploading a discovery request, gleaning as much information as possible (including the case number, parties involved, and so on). Then, you can add your objections and responses to responses, cutting down on manual typing needs. You can also open active docs in a Microsoft Word document to tidy them up, reformat, or finish them off.

Briefpoint lets you schedule a demo to test its software at your firm. The solution is appropriate for people of all technical abilities with almost no learning curve, saving an average of 87% of time spent on each document.

View Briefpoint’s pricing here.

2. Clio

Source: Clio.com

Clio is a market leader in law office management and offers various legal document automation features as part of a suite of services. The tool gives you control over your practice from a single dashboard, eliminating the need for complex integrations or straddling workflows.

Clio includes templates for legal documents, including letters, contracts, and pleadings. The drag-and-drop interface makes customizations and edits straightforward, avoiding the need for technical knowledge.

Furthermore, the software operates practice-wide via the cloud. Team members can access it anywhere, facilitating remote work and out-of-hours services.

That said, it is not perfect. While Clio offers some document automation, it is a tacked-on feature. Developers felt they had to include it after other vendors introduced more advanced solutions. Therefore, it doesn’t offer the customization features required for highly specialized needs.

Pricing can also be an issue. The subscription fee is per user, with some plans over $125 a month for every account you add. Furthermore, it makes you pay extra to access integrations, which is problematic if you invested heavily in your software stack already.

3. DocuSign

Source: DocuSign.com

DocuSign Signature doesn’t quite fall into the category of legal document automation software, but law offices use it extensively, so it is worth mentioning here. Teams find it helpful to enable attorneys and clients to sign documents and track their progress over time. As such, it saves time compared to conventional paper-based signing workflows. Other benefits include its mobile-friendliness, integration across platforms and reasonably advanced security.

Other solutions offer far more time-saving features. It also focuses on electronic signatures. While you can make edits, doing so is cumbersome.

Finally, you will need to pay a subscription if using the solution for high volumes of documents (a guarantee in most legal practices). Therefore, it is not a free tool, despite seeming like one.

4. PandaDoc

Source: PandaDoc.com

Another piece of legal document automation software is PandaDoc. Like Clio, it is an all-in-one platform, letting you generate documents, collect e-signatures, and leverage analytics. Developers claim it can speed up paperwork by 40% (approximately two working days per week).

PandaDoc isn’t a legal-specific document automation platform but specializes in this area. Law firms can look forward to spending up to 80% less time creating documents, thanks to its template library and drag-and-drop editor. It also has tools for expediting contract creation, avoiding the need to cut and paste (or even write) by hand. Built-in commenting assists with edits and helps to speed up negotiations for teams involved in commercial law.

The reason some teams avoid PandaDoc is the software’s complexity. While it offers a feature-rich interface and client experience, it also demands a steep learning curve. To the developer’s credit, they provide instructions and training, but wading through this involves additional time investment.

Moreover, integrations with the software are challenging. Hiring an outside firm to complete them is often necessary.

5. HotDocs

Source: Hotdocs.com

HotDocs is also a strong contender for best legal document automation softwares. The tool claims that it enables law practices to process documents up to 90% faster than manual generation (including industry-standard cut-and-paste methods). Again, the goal is to help you focus on your clients instead of tedious document creation.

HotDocs is an established legal document automation software player with a proven track record and broad user base. Law offices use it for its hundreds of pre-built templates for various legal specialties and its flexibility. The tool can also integrate with other legal software and CRMs, reducing implementation complexity. You can even use it offline – great for professionals on the subway or far from WiFi.

Even so, HotDocs still has weaknesses. While it can generate legal documents, it often lacks visual appeal. Law practices sometimes feel disappointed that they don’t look professional enough. Furthermore, updating templates with scripts is time-consuming. The AI won’t do it for you, no matter how nicely you ask.

Finally, there’s a steeper learning curve than many of the more straightforward options on the market. Therefore, it is more geared towards law firms with significant technical expertise and large budgets.

6. Bryter

Source: Bryter.com

Bryter goes even further, claiming users can save 95% of their time on manual work with its document assembly software. The solution helps law practices automate routine document drafting, remove errors, reduce risks, and get data-driven insights. Systems prevent internal clients from generating inaccurate documents while eliminating mistakes with standardized templates.

Bryter’s main selling point is its no-code client portal approach. As such, it positions itself as the brand for the average law office. The intuitive decision-tree structure and user interface mean that most professionals with experience working on computers can use it.

Teamwork is also straightforward on the automation platform. Cloud-based collaboration features enable teams of any size to work together to process paperwork faster.

With that said Bryter’s document automation capabilities are somewhat limited. While the decision-tree functionality helps with legal decision-making, it focuses more on interactive approaches than traditional, bread-and-butter document generation. As such, some legal practices find it limiting.

It is also a newcomer to the market and doesn’t have the same pedigree as many more established platforms. As such, the community support base is smaller than the more prominent names.

7. Formstack

Source: Formstack.com

Formstack rounds out our list of the best legal document automation softwares. This established player offers solutions that eliminate paperwork, automate documents (including personalized contract agreements and NDAs), collect e-signatures, and improve collaboration. You also get security-related tools, such as controlling who can access paperwork via logic and routine tools. It also meets various legal standards, such as GDPR, PCI, and HIPAA, for any legal firms working with sensitive information.

Formstack regularly collects data on the time its tools save its team members. Most can cut 17 hours or more from their week using the solution.

That said, it remains a form-building tool, not exclusively for legal automation. Its document generation capabilities are also surprisingly basic for such a professional tool. Unlike Briefpoint, it doesn’t make extensive use of AI to highlight and track documents as negotiations unfold, making it less practical for legal firms wanting to eliminate the most time-consuming elements of their work.

Finally, integrating it with niche legal applications is challenging. It doesn’t work seamlessly with all platforms.

FAQs In Relation To Best Legal Document Automation Softwares

What is the best legal document automation software in 2024?

There are several contenders for the best document automation software in 2024, including Briefpoint.

How does legal document automation work?

Legal document automation works by handing over composition and writing tasks to templates and AI. Drag-and-drop interfaces enable rapid document construction without creating documents from scratch or cut-and-paste from existing libraries.

How Briefpoint Can Help You

Under these assumptions, you save $20,477 using Briefpoint, per year, per attorney.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.