AI For Lawyers and How it Affects the Future of the Law Industry

AI For Lawyers and How it Affects the Future of the Industry

Observing the patterns of various sectors, it has become evident that artificial intelligence is woven into their standard operating protocols, with the realm of law being a prime example. While often in intense and fast-paced environments, law firms still need help with many background tasks that simply take up too much time.

AI tools for lawyers take on the most repetitive and time-consuming tasks, allowing legal professionals to focus on more valuable parts of litigation.

In this article, we’ll review AI for lawyers, their overall impact on the industry, and the tools that can benefit law firms.

What Type of AI Are We Talking About?

AI is the intelligence of computers programmed to mimic humans. But unlike humans, it can process massive amounts of data in as little as a few seconds. This makes AI incredibly useful for industries that manage and digest a lot of information, including law firms.

Machine Learning

At the core of AI technology, machine learning equips software with an intuitive grasp of data. Machine learning algorithms improve and become more accurate over time; they are self-learning algorithms.

Natural Language Processing

Natural language processing (NLP) allows computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language. In the legal domain, NLP can be a powerful tool for analyzing legal documents, contracts, and legislation with the help of human input and supervision.

Large Language Models

Large language models, such as GPT-based systems, are a subset of NLP trained on massive datasets to understand and generate human-like text.

These models excel in tasks like drafting documents, summarizing lengthy legal texts, answering complex legal questions, and even assisting with research by providing context-aware insights.

In the legal world, LLMs can streamline document preparation, assist with legal research, and improve client communication by interpreting and explaining legal language in a more accessible way.

Their advanced understanding of context and semantics makes them a valuable tool for improving productivity and accuracy in legal workflows.

What Can AI Do for the Legal Industry?

AI has the potential to revolutionize how legal teams and law firms work. More specifically, it can streamline numerous processes, including:

Discovery

During the discovery process, lawyers and paralegals often have to review thousands of documents to find evidence relevant to the case. Legal document automation makes this process more straightforward by simultaneously processing vast amounts of information.

AI discovery software enables attorneys to sift through documents by employing search terms or particular criteria, like dates or geographic locations. In contrast, lawyers without AI would have to spend weeks on this.

Generative artificial intelligence is another highly beneficial AI tool for the discovery process. Through sophisticated algorithms, generative AI can comb through extensive datasets, pinpoint relevant information, and draft discovery responses and requests.

Legal Research

Legal research is a time-intensive task that requires sifting through countless legal documents, statutes, and case law to find precedents relevant to the case. AI-powered legal research tools are changing this landscape by processing and analyzing vast quantities of legal texts in a fraction of the time.

Aside from searching for keywords, legal AI can understand the context, interpret the semantics of legal language, and draw connections between legal precedents and current cases.

Due Diligence

Due diligence is a critical component of legal work. This is especially true in significant transactions like mergers and acquisitions, where understanding entities’ legal and financial health is paramount.

Without AI, due diligence is a labor-intensive process that requires weeks or even months of rigorous examination of documents to identify liabilities, compliance issues, and other potential risks.

Legal AI streamlines this process through its ability to rapidly analyze large volumes of data, identifying anomalies, patterns, and risks that would take humans considerably longer to uncover.

Contract Review and Analysis

Some AI-driven tools can examine contracts in detail faster. They can identify clauses that deviate from standard language, assess risk levels, and suggest modifications based on prevailing laws and legal standards.

This specific function of AI speeds up the contract review process, enhances contract accuracy and consistency, and minimizes the risk of disputes and litigation.

What Are the Benefits of AI for Legal Professionals?

The integration of AI makes perfect sense for any law firm that wants to optimize its processes. Here’s an expanded look at the key benefits AI brings to the table for the legal profession:

Efficiency

AI tools can now handle document sorting, evidence review, and even certain aspects of legal research, letting legal professionals allocate their time to more substantial legal work. AI can also help automate routine tasks, such as billing and time tracking, client intake, and scheduling, among many others.

For instance, AI-enabled document review tools can analyze thousands of documents in the time it takes a human to go through a handful, drastically reducing the lead time on cases and allowing lawyers to meet tight deadlines easily.

Accuracy

One of AI’s standout features is its ability to minimize errors in tasks involving data processing and analysis. This means more accurate document review, fewer research oversights, and better risk assessment.

Legal AI tools are designed to consistently recognize patterns and anomalies that surpass human capability. This is particularly valuable in identifying relevant case law, precedents, and statutory requirements.

Cost Reduction

The economic impact of AI on legal practices is significant. Through automation, AI reduces the hours lawyers and paralegals need to spend drafting.

Plus, the time savings may allow law firms to eliminate redundant roles or reduce the staff they need for routine tasks, which is another massive aspect.

Smarter Decision-Making

AI tools can dig through heaps of data and pull out insights that help lawyers make better calls. Whether it’s figuring out the chances of winning a case or spotting key trends, AI gives legal pros the edge they need to craft stronger strategies.

Better Client Support

AI-powered chatbots and assistants can handle the small stuff—like answering basic questions, booking meetings, or sending updates—so lawyers can focus on the big picture. Clients stay in the loop, and everyone’s happier with quicker, clearer communication.

How Can AI Benefit Law Firm Clients?

Legal AI tools help create more efficient workflows in law firms, but they can also have direct benefits to clients, including:

Speed: The streamlined efficiency of AI leads to quicker turnaround times, meaning clients see faster outcomes and resolutions.
Reduced Costs: Savings realized from AI’s operational improvements reduce hourly costs.
Strategy: AI’s precision and advanced analytics support having more accurate and strategically sound legal approaches.
Accessibility: AI-powered tools can simplify legal processes, making it easier for clients to access legal services and understand complex legal documents.
Accuracy: By minimizing human errors, AI ensures higher accuracy in case analysis, document drafting, and legal research, giving clients greater confidence in the services they receive.

Will AI Replace Lawyers?

AI cannot replace human lawyers. While it excels at handling repetitive tasks, analyzing large datasets, and improving efficiency, it lacks the nuanced understanding of human emotions, ethical considerations, and creative problem-solving that legal professionals bring to the table.

AI is best viewed as a powerful tool to support lawyers, allowing them to focus on high-value work like courtroom advocacy, client counseling, and strategic decision-making.

The human touch in building relationships, understanding context, and navigating complex legal issues remains irreplaceable in the legal profession.

Legal Document Automation

The discovery phase of litigation is often the most time-consuming and has much room for error. Briefpoint recognized this long-standing issue and designed an AI tool to eliminate that bottleneck.

Briefpoint automates the preparation of discovery request and discovery response documents, including but not limited to:

Plus, the process is simple: you upload the discovery request, add objections and responses to your discovery response, and then download the document in Word to finish it up. It’s easy, straightforward, and takes hours off the usual process.

Besides the drafting itself, Briefpoint comes with a built-in feature, Bridge, which makes collecting and inputting client responses easy. Bridge lets you select the interrogatories that need your client’s responses, translate them into plain English, and send them over to your client.

Once your client responds, Bridge will help insert those responses into your draft. You won’t need to waste time on back-and-forth emailing anymore.

Propund Discovery

With the latest Propound Discovery feature, you can upload a complaint in PDF format and let Briefpoint examine the details to generate interrogatories, document production requests, and admission requests.

Instead of limiting your efforts to answering discovery questions, this tool lets you create the discovery questions you require. After the questions are generated, you can customize them by editing, rearranging, deleting, or adding new ones. When done, download the finalized request as a file.

How Briefpoint Helps You Save

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.

Is AI an Advantage?

AI continuously evolves, creating more opportunities for tomorrow’s legal industry.

If you’re on the fence about using AI for your law firm, there’s no need to fully integrate AI right away. Instead, you can start small by optimizing one aspect of your legal research process: discovery.

Briefpoint is a bespoke tool committed to harnessing the power of AI to transform legal services, making them more efficient, accurate, and accessible. For legal firms, embracing AI is not just about staying ahead in a competitive landscape; it’s about redefining the very essence of legal practice for the better.

FAQs About AI for Lawyers

Is AI going to replace lawyers?

No, AI is designed to augment the capabilities of lawyers, not replace them. It automates routine tasks, allowing lawyers to focus on more complex and strategic aspects of their work.

How secure is AI in handling sensitive legal information?

AI systems used in the legal industry are designed with robust security measures to protect sensitive information. However, it’s crucial to choose reputable AI solutions that comply with industry-standard security protocols.

Can small law firms afford to implement AI?

Yes, there are AI solutions available at various price points, making them accessible for law firms of all sizes. Additionally, the long-term savings in time and operational costs can make AI a worthwhile investment for small firms.

How can I start integrating AI into my legal practice?

Begin by identifying areas where AI can have the most impact, such as document review or legal research. Partner with a trusted AI solutions provider like Briefpoint to ensure a smooth integration process tailored to your firm’s specific needs.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser.

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.

FAQs on AI For Lawyers

Is AI going to replace lawyers?

No, AI is designed to augment the capabilities of lawyers, not replace them. It automates routine tasks, allowing lawyers to focus on more complex and strategic aspects of their work.

How secure is AI in handling sensitive legal information?

Can small law firms afford to implement AI?

How can I start integrating AI into my legal practice?

Full Guide to Law Firm Automation (Tips + Strategies)

Law firm automation might sound like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s very real and incredibly practical.

You’re in the middle of a busy workday, juggling multiple cases, answering client calls, and trying to keep up with the mountain of paperwork. Does this sound familiar?

Suddenly, you realize there’s a way to offload all the repetitive, mundane tasks that eat up your valuable time.

That’s where legal automation comes in—a reliable, tireless assistant that handles everything from document creation to client communications at lightning speed.

In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about legal automation and how it can transform your law firm today.

What is Legal Automation?

Legal automation is the use of tech to take care of the boring, repetitive tasks in a law firm. Think of it as having an assistant that handles stuff like creating documents, tracking billable hours, and managing client communications—except that assistant does the work a hundred times faster.

By automating these tasks, you can save time, cut down on mistakes, and get things done more efficiently.

For example, legal automation tools can whip up documents based on templates, keep track of how much time you spend on each case, manage your calendar and appointments, and simplify client intake and communication processes.

This means you and your team can focus on the important stuff that needs your expertise instead of getting stuck with routine admin work.

What Legal Workflows Can You Automate?

Law firms have plenty of workflows that can be automated to save time and reduce errors. Let’s break down some key areas where automation can make a big difference:

Document Automation

Instead of drafting each document from scratch, you can use document automation tools to create them based on pre-set templates.

This means you just fill in the details, and the tool handles the rest. Here’s why this is such a big deal.

First, using standardized templates ensures that all your documents have a consistent format and style. You won’t have to worry about different fonts or layouts. Everything looks professional and is in line with legal standards.

Plus, you can customize these templates to include your firm’s branding, specific clauses, and any other required information.

You can also use artificial intelligence to draft standard documents. For example, Briefpoint.ai uses generative AI to help you generate discovery documents, and all you have to do is upload your discovery request and fill in objections and responses. Briefpoint does the rest.

Efficiency and speed are other huge benefits. Manual document creation can eat up hours, but automation tools can generate complex documents in minutes.

And let’s talk about errors. We’ve all had those moments where a typo or missed clause caused a headache. Automated systems minimize these mistakes, a huge benefit in an industry requiring utmost accuracy.

Time Tracking and Billing

Time tracking and billing can be a headache for any law firm, but law office automation can make it less of a chore.

What if you no longer have to manually log every minute you spend on client work? Automated tools can track your time accurately, whether you’re on a call, drafting a document, or in a meeting. They run quietly in the background and capture every billable second.

Accuracy is a major perk. No more missed entries or underestimating time spent on tasks. Automated systems record everything in real-time so you capture all billable hours and avoid revenue loss.

When it’s time to bill, these tools generate detailed invoices automatically. Customize them with your firm’s branding and ensure they’re sent out promptly, saving you the end-of-month scramble.

Transparency is another win. Automated tracking provides clear reports on time spent, which is great for internal assessments and building trust with clients.

They can see exactly what they’re being billed for, making your practice more transparent and efficient.

Calendar Management

Keeping your calendar straight can feel like juggling flaming torches—one wrong move and everything falls apart. That’s where calendar management automation steps in to make your life a whole lot easier.

Imagine having a tool that schedules your appointments, sends reminders, and even reschedules meetings when conflicts arise.

Automated calendar management does all this and more. It helps make sure you never miss a deadline, court date, or client meeting.

One of the best parts? It reduces human error. No more double-booking or forgetting important dates. The system handles everything, so your schedule is always up-to-date and conflict-free.

Automation also makes coordination a breeze. Need to set up a meeting with multiple people? The tool can find a time that works for everyone and send out invites without you lifting a finger. It keeps track of everyone’s responses and adjusts the schedule as needed.

Law firm automation systems often sync with your existing systems, like email and case management software. This integration means you have a central hub for all your scheduling needs so it’s easier to manage your time and stay on top of everything.

Client Communications

Managing client communications can be overwhelming, but automation can turn this daunting task into a smooth and efficient process.

Automated systems handle routine communications, which allows you to focus on more important interactions.

Automated client communication tools can send follow-up emails, appointment reminders, and feedback requests without any manual effort.

These tools ensure that your clients are always in the loop and feel valued, leading to better client satisfaction.

Legal automation software also makes sure that all communications are timely and uniform. Your clients receive the information they need when they need it, which helps improve their overall experience with your firm.

Here are a few examples of how you can automate client communications:

Follow-up emails: Automatically send follow-up emails after meetings or consultations to inform clients about the next steps.
Appointment reminders: Schedule and send reminders for upcoming appointments, reducing no-shows and ensuring clients remember important dates.
Feedback requests: Automatically send feedback requests after a case is closed or a service is provided, helping you gather valuable client insights.
Newsletters: Regularly send out newsletters with updates, tips, and news relevant to your clients, keeping them engaged with your firm.
Billing reminders: Automatically remind clients about upcoming or overdue payments, streamlining the billing process and improving cash flow.

Client Intake

Client intake can be a hassle, but automation makes it a breeze. Imagine clients filling out their details online whenever they have time, without you having to chase them for info.

These online forms organize everything automatically, so you don’t have to worry about manual data entry mistakes.

Automation makes sure every client gets the same questions, so you’re never missing important information.

Once a client fills out a form, the system can instantly schedule an initial consultation, send a confirmation email, and even remind them about the appointment. No more back-and-forth to find a time that works.

All the info from the intake forms goes straight into your case management system, so you don’t have to enter it again. This makes things run much smoother and keeps everything in one place.

Lead Management

Automated lead management systems can capture leads from various sources, such as your website, social media, and email campaigns.

Once a lead is captured, the system automatically sorts and prioritizes them based on the criteria you set. This means you can focus on the most promising leads without wasting time.

These tools can also handle follow-up communications. Automated emails can be sent to new leads to provide them with more information about your services and encourage them to schedule a consultation.

Consistent follow-up helps make sure that no lead is forgotten and helps nurture potential clients until they are ready to hire your firm.

Another great feature is the ability to track interactions. Automated systems log every touchpoint with a lead, from initial contact to follow-up emails and phone calls. This gives you a complete history of your interactions, which makes it easier to personalize your approach and build stronger relationships.

Analytics and reporting are also key benefits. Automation tools provide insights into your lead management process, showing you which strategies work and where you can improve. This data helps you refine your approach and convert more leads into clients.

Marketing Efforts

Marketing is essential for a law firm, just like any other business, but it can be time-consuming and involve manual or routine tasks you don’t need on top of your already heavy workload.

Fortunately, automating your marketing efforts can save you a ton of time and make your campaigns more effective. Let’s look at how automation can transform your marketing game.

Social media management: Plan and schedule your posts in advance to ensure consistent and timely updates without manual effort.
Email marketing: Send out newsletters, updates, and promotional emails automatically. Segment your audience to deliver personalized content that keeps them engaged.
Content creation and distribution: Use automation tools to plan your content calendar, distribute blog posts, and optimize for search engines. This keeps your firm visible and attractive to potential clients.

Why Should You Automate Legal Processes in the First Place?

Now that you can see what administrative tasks you can automate, the next question is why you should do so.

Automation software is rarely free, and most law firms will need more than just your standard legal practice management software.

That said, why should you invest in this type of tech? Well, here are a few compelling reasons:

Save Time

Automation takes care of repetitive tasks like document management, time tracking, and client communications, which means you have more time to focus on more strategic and high-value activities (a.k.a. more billable hours).

Imagine having more hours in the day to work on complex cases, strategize for court, or even spend quality time with your family. The more you automate, the more productive and efficient your day becomes.

Reduce Errors

Automated systems follow strict, predefined rules, which minimizes the risk of human error. This means fewer mistakes in your legal documents, more accurate time tracking, and overall higher-quality work.

Increase Efficiency

Organized legal workflows mean tasks are completed faster and more efficiently. Automation makes sure that no step is overlooked and everything runs smoothly to upgrade your firm’s overall productivity.

Your team will appreciate not having to chase down details or redo work. Plus, this efficiency translates to quicker turnaround times for your clients, which helps increase their satisfaction and your firm’s reputation.

Better Work-Life Balance

With automation, you can reclaim hours lost to repetitive chores and focus on what truly matters—both in your work and personal life.

This means less stress and burnout as you spend more time on meaningful projects and pursuits that inspire you.

A healthier work-life balance doesn’t just make your team happier; it boosts productivity and creativity, leading to better outcomes for your firm and your clients. When everyone is more relaxed and energized, your whole practice thrives.

Cost Savings

Automating routine tasks slashes operational costs by reducing your team’s hours on administrative work, freeing them up for more valuable tasks. This efficient use of time and talent means a healthier bottom line for your firm.

Plus, with less reliance on manual processes, you can lower staffing costs and cut down on overtime. All these savings add up to give you more financial flexibility to invest in growth and innovation. Not to mention the increased law firm profitability overall!

Will Automation Replace Lawyers?

The rise of automation in the legal industry has sparked a debate: will automation replace lawyers? While automation will transform the industry, it will not replace legal professionals.

The essence of lawyering is rooted in human judgment, empathy, and ethical decision-making. Clients seek lawyers for their ability to understand complex emotions, provide reassurance, and offer personalized advice—qualities that no software can replicate.

Automation can handle repetitive tasks but struggles with the unpredictability of many legal issues. Lawyers use experience and intuition to navigate these complexities, crafting strategies beyond a machine’s capabilities.

Another significant part of a lawyer’s job is negotiating and advocating for clients. This requires not just legal knowledge but the ability to read people, persuade, and adapt to dynamic situations—skills inherently human and irreplaceable by automation.

Lastly, lawyers must balance legal outcomes with ethical considerations, guided by a strict code of ethics. Machines, operating on logic and predefined rules, cannot weigh ethical dilemmas as humans do.

Automation should be viewed as an enhancement of lawyers’ capabilities. It handles routine tasks and frees them to focus on higher-value work, increasing efficiency and enhancing the quality of legal services.

Automate the Most Tedious Part of Your Day

Is discovery paperwork slowing your case down? Preparing legal documents is a task you can’t escape in the legal industry, but what if there was a shortcut that wouldn’t sacrifice the quality, accuracy, and consistency of your documents?

Briefpoint.ai is just what you need to speed up the discovery phase. With Briefpoint, you can automate the creation of responses to and propounding sets of:

Want to know more about this sophisticated legal technology? See how Briefpoint works with a free demo today!

Automating Discovery Drafting Can Save Thousands

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

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Legal Workflow Automation

What is legal automation?

Legal automation refers to the use of technology to perform repetitive and time-consuming tasks in a law firm, such as document creation, time tracking, and client communications.

Can I automate client intake?

Yes, client intake can be automated using online forms that clients fill out, with the information automatically added to your system.

Will automation replace lawyers?

No, law firm automation is designed to assist lawyers by handling mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on providing legal expertise and building client relationships.

How can automation improve my firm’s efficiency?

Legal workflow automation software can simplify workflows, reduce errors, save time, and enhance client communications, improving efficiency.

What legal workflows can be automated?

You can automate document creation, time tracking and billing, calendar management, client communications, client intake, lead management, and marketing efforts.

This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser. 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.

5 Best Legal AI Tools for Legal Professionals (2024 List)

AI-driven legal tech tools are set to reach a value of up to $37 billion this year.

Law firms use artificial intelligence to automate the preparation of discovery requests and discovery responses, as well as simplified management.

In this article, we’ll see how AI tools integrate with existing workflows and how they influence the future of legal work.

What Are Legal AI Tools?

Legal AI tools are becoming valuable in legal practices. They help legal professionals in many routine tasks that consume a lot of time and effort–from assisting law firms with potential new clients to fully revising requests for admission and production.

These tools increase the accuracy and efficiency of legal tasks, which allows lawyers to concentrate on strategy and client engagement.

With a much broader focus on automation, legal AI-powered tools are transforming legal practice and are here to stay.

What Is the Driving Force Behind Legal AI Adoption?

Traditionally slow to adopt new practices, the legal profession is now acknowledging the significant rise of AI tools in automating document preparation and discovery review.

Legal professionals adopt legal AI tools, which help reduce the chances of human error and time wasted on manual data entry.

However, the benefits of AI in legal settings extend beyond speed. Accuracy is a critical component, and with machine learning algorithms, these tools continuously improve with use.

They learn from each interaction with extensive legal documents, enhancing their performance going forward.

Top 5 Legal AI Tools in the Industry (2024)

The legal field is getting a tech makeover, and AI tools are leading the charge. Let’s look at the top 5 legal AI tools on the market, which are preferred choices by many.

1. Briefpoint

Briefpoint is a generative AI tool that specializes in automating the preparation of discovery requests and response documents, speeding up the response drafting process for various legal documents.

It uses AI to extract key information from documents and assists in creating accurate discovery requests and discovery responses. Briefpoint is designed to simplify this process to save hours of manual work.

Briefpoint drafts responses by taking your opposing counsels’ discovery requests and turning them into responses to:

Plus, Briefpoint has a built-in feature called Bridge, which makes the process of collecting client responses much easier.

Bridge allows you to select interrogatories that need your client’s responses, translate them into easy-to-understand language, and send them to your client.

Once your client finishes their responses, Bridge will let you insert them straight into your draft.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo.

2. Clio

Clio is a comprehensive case management system that is designed to do efficient law practice management. It is highly regarded among legal professionals for its user-friendly interface and powerful features.

Source: Clio.com

Apart from having a centralized dashboard that offers a complete overview of all case information and document management and automation that enables legal professionals to send documents for electronic signature directly.

It can also do comprehensive case management and has the capability to integrate a wide range of external websites and services.

This system not only saves time but also enhances the accuracy and efficiency of legal workflows and is a valuable asset for any law practice.

It is a cloud-based solution, making it accessible from anywhere, and is designed to cater to the needs of solo practitioners, small firms, and larger law practices alike.

3. PatentPal

PatentPal is a generative AI platform that significantly streamlines the patent application process.

It is specifically designed to help with Intellectual Property (IP) applications by automating the mechanical writing required in patent applications.

Source: PatentPal

Inventors and legal professionals can easily input their claims into PatentPal, which then generates detailed specifications, illustrative diagrams, and preliminary drafts.

The platform utilizes a knowledge graph extracted from a set of claims, applying a transformer technology similar to GPT-3, which allows for creating accurate and reliable content required in patent applications.

4. Spellbook AI

Spellbook AI is a legal software designed to enhance the drafting process and reviewing contracts for corporate and commercial lawyers.

Source: Spellbook

It has the capabilities of GPT-4, an AI model developed by OpenAI. It represents a significant advancement in legal technology, providing a powerful tool for lawyers to improve accuracy, efficiency, and speed in contract-related tasks.

Launched in 2022 as the first generative AI copilot for lawyers, Spellbook significantly speeds up the drafting and review process, providing suggestions and automations that align with legal standards and specific needs of each document.

This AI tool is integrated directly with Microsoft Word, making it an addition to the workflow of nearly 2000 law firms and in-house legal teams that utilize its efficiency and precision in handling legal documents.

5. Casetext

Casetext is recognized for its comprehensive suite of AI-driven legal services, notably its CoCounsel AI legal assistant, which accelerates tasks like document review and legal research memos.

Source: Casetext

Launched in 2013, it garnered the trust of over 10,000 law firms thanks to its ability to enhance legal research and document drafting through AI.

Casetext’s CARA (Case Analysis Research Assistant) uses AI to assist in brief review and informs search results, while CoCounsel, developed with OpenAI technology, aims to help legal professionals accomplish more in less time, such as sifting through vast amounts of discovery documents overnight.

How to Choose the Best Legal AI Tools For Your Business

Picking the best legal AI tool for your practice doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some key tips to help you find the one that fits just right:

Pinpoint Your Practice’s Pain Points

The first step to finding the right AI tool is understanding where it can make the biggest impact. Take a look at the tasks that tend to take up a lot of time in your practice. Is document drafting slowing you down?

If so, a tool like Briefpoint can simplify this process and save hours on preparing responses and briefs. Or, if you’re juggling client files and deadlines, a broader case management solution like Clio might be what you need. Knowing your specific needs will help narrow down the tools that are truly worth considering.

Match Features with Your Needs

Once you’ve identified your needs, it’s time to match them with the features offered by different AI tools.

Some platforms are specialized for tasks like contract review, while others excel in managing discovery documents. Consider the tools’ capabilities in terms of features and see if they integrate smoothly with your existing setup, like Microsoft Word or Clio.

This will help make sure the new tool fits into your current workflow without causing disruptions.

Look for User-Friendly Design

Adopting a new tool shouldn’t be a struggle, so focus on finding one with an intuitive, user-friendly design.

Tools like Briefpoint and Clio are well-regarded for their simple interfaces, which help reduce onboarding time and make adoption smoother for everyone on your team.

A user-friendly platform is essential if you want to get the most out of your new AI tool without a steep learning curve or constant support.

Prioritize Data Security

Data security is non-negotiable in legal work. Legal AI tools need to prioritize protecting client information, especially when sensitive case details are involved.

Look for platforms that meet industry compliance standards like GDPR or HIPAA and offer strong encryption. Making sure these security measures are in place not only protects your clients but also gives you peace of mind, knowing that your data is secure.

Consider Support and Resources

Solid customer support and resources can make a huge difference in your experience with any new tool.

Check whether the provider offers accessible support options, like live chat, email, or phone, and if they have useful resources like training videos, guides, or webinars.

These resources can help your team make the most of the tool and troubleshoot quickly if issues come up.

Try Before You Buy

Lastly, always take advantage of free trials or demos when available. Testing out a tool firsthand is the best way to get a feel for how it fits into your practice and whether it meets your needs.

It also allows you to test the interface, performance, and integration options before making a financial commitment. By trying it out, you’ll know for sure if it’s the right choice for your practice.

How Legal AI Tools Integrate with Existing Legal Workflows

Legal AI tools act as essential assistants for attorneys, enhancing rather than replacing traditional legal processes. Their integration into law firms with AI tools like. Briefpoint unfolds seamlessly.

These systems complement and strengthen existing processes by increasing time savings and reducing costs simultaneously.

For example, in drafting discovery responses, AI can automate the processes, which helps you save time and reduce the chance of human error.

For example, tools like Briefpoint can save up to 87% of the time spent on discovery response documents.

Schedule a demo today and see exactly how Briefpoint works.

Adopting New Tech Can Help Save Thousands

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

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Legal AI Tools

Can AI legal tools assist in reducing human error during the review process of legal documents?

Yes, AI legal tools are particularly adept at minimizing human error. They systematically scan through legal documents during the review process and can flag inconsistencies and errors that might be overlooked by a human reviewer. These tools can handle simple tasks with high accuracy and reduce the margin for error.

Can law firms replace lawyers with AI tools?

While generative AI tools are re-shaping the legal industry, artificial intelligence is supposed to help rather than replace industry professionals.

Can AI legal tools help with contract analysis and management?

Yes, AI legal tools are highly effective in contract analysis and management. They can quickly review and extract key information from contracts, identify potential risks, and even suggest standardized language for consistency. This not only speeds up the contract review process but also helps ensure that critical details aren’t missed, enhancing overall accuracy and efficiency in contract management.

What role does Natural Language Processing (NLP) play in legal AI tools?

NLP is essential in legal AI tools, as it allows these systems to understand and process human language in documents. NLP enables AI tools to interpret contracts, legal memos, and discovery documents accurately, which helps automate time-consuming tasks like document review, contract analysis, and case law research. This capability is particularly valuable in law practices where precise language is critical.

AI Litigation: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Legal Challenges

Artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly impacting 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 plays an increasing role in how lawyers and law firms function.

It’s also having an impact on the types of cases that lawyers handle. In recent months, the number of AI litigation cases has risen, such as instances when copyrighted content has been mined for use by AI models such as ChatGPT.

In this article, we’ll explore the world of AI litigation in greater depth, examining how it benefits law firms, the problems it may pose, and the legal implications 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. So, what should legal professionals know about AI?

Optimizing Research

Any lawyer practicing during the pre-computer era can tell you just how long it took to research. Without digital repositories, the labor of manual research “slowed” all litigation.

“Slowed” is in quotes because that prior pace is only “slow” in retrospect. Given clients’ 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 scheduled within the next hour.

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

Saving Time

AI litigation tools help law firms save significant time by automating the discovery response process.

Generative AI 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 the time spent on these documents by as much as 87%.

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

Generative AI models essentially take care of the time-consuming aspects of document creation. However, law firms can still add their objections and responses, which make sure that they’re still quality documents based on their firm’s gold standards.

Reducing Barriers to Legal Assistance

Artificial intelligence software makes it easier for people who may historically not have had access to legal support to get the help they need. Many instances occur 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 pursuing legal damages with a few clicks of a button. For instance, there are tools that 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 they’ll be widespread in the coming years. 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; it’s there to supplement them.

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 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 gain valuable insights into a case’s predicted outcome, analyze similar cases from the past, and attain a deeper understanding of the broader context of their case. This will help law firms plan their strategy more effectively and make better, more informed decisions.

Customer Service

Customer service is paramount in all industries, especially in the legal field, where 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 becoming increasingly popular, they won’t replace trained professionals anytime soon. While popular, they cannot account for all the various factors contributing 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, the skilled professionals at the heart of the legal industry will still 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 precedent. We’re already seeing some high-profile cases, including artists claiming that AI companies are stealing their work or celebrities claiming that they’re using their likeness.

A string of household names have already denounced marketing companies for using AI-generated videos and images featuring individuals 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 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.

The Legal Challenges of Copyright Infringement

Copyright concerns are a major issue in AI, highlighted by a lawsuit against OpenAI filed in the Northern District of California this year by authors Michael Chabon and Sarah Silverman.

The plaintiffs submitted a complaint alleging the company utilized their copyrighted material without authorization to train its AI models. The central debate is whether using copyrighted texts for AI training falls under “fair use” considering the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

OpenAI argues that it transforms publicly available content to create new, original outputs, while the authors contend this practice devalues their intellectual property.

This case could set a precedent for how AI companies use copyrighted material, possibly leading to stricter licensing, compensation for creators for direct infringement claims, or limits on data scraping practices. It underscores AI development challenges in balancing innovation with avoiding direct copyright infringement.

Plaintiffs Alleging Copyright Infringement Are Doubling Down

In some lawsuits against AI companies like OpenAI and Meta, the plaintiffs have each filed an amended complaint to strengthen their cases. These updates often include more specific details about the copyrighted works that were allegedly used without permission and how they were used to train AI models.

The amended complaints aim to fill gaps in the original filings by providing clearer evidence of how the content was accessed or used without proper authorization. This could involve showing that AI companies scraped content from the internet or violated website terms of service.

Sometimes, these new filings add more plaintiffs or claims to make the case broader and more impactful.

It’s Not Just Textual Content

Stability AI, DeviantArt, and Midjourney received a class-action lawsuit back in January 2023, filed by artists Sarah Andersen, Karla Ortiz, and Kelly McKernan.

The plaintiffs alleged that these companies infringed on their copyrights by using their artwork without permission to train AI models like Stable Diffusion. Plaintiffs claim the defendants scraped billions of images from the internet, including their own, to create AI systems capable of generating new images. They argue this practice violates the Copyright Act, the DMCA, and their publicity rights.

In October 2023, U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick dismissed several of their claims, citing a lack of clarity on how each defendant specifically violated copyrights or altered copyright management information. The judge allowed the plaintiffs to amend their complaint within 30 days to include more specific allegations.

This case underscores the complex legal challenges AI development poses to intellectual property rights. As AI technology advances, courts will need to address how existing laws apply to scenarios involving AI-generated content and the use of copyrighted works in training data, shaping the legal landscape for AI and creative works.

AI Overview in the Legal Industry

Artificial intelligence is making waves in the legal industry, bringing exciting opportunities for law firms to save time and improve outcomes.

By automating tasks like legal research, document drafting, and case management, AI tools help attorneys work more efficiently, allowing them to focus on strategic thinking and complex case analysis.

AI’s predictive abilities offer valuable insights, helping firms better assess case outcomes, spot trends, and build stronger legal strategies. For firms ready to embrace technology, it’s a clear advantage in staying ahead in a fast-paced legal world.

But with all these benefits come challenges. AI tools raise new legal and ethical questions, particularly around data privacy, cybersecurity, and potential biases in AI-driven decisions.

The use of copyrighted content to train AI models has already sparked vicarious and contributory copyright infringement cases, putting the spotlight on how data is sourced and used in AI development. Issues like unauthorized data scraping and potential DMCA violations are reshaping discussions on intellectual property rights.

AI also carries the risk of overreliance. While it can offer recommendations and analyze data, it lacks the human touch or ethical understanding necessary for every legal situation.

Legal professionals must strike a balance between leveraging these tools and applying their own expertise to ensure thoughtful, ethical, and effective outcomes for clients.

Reduce Costs By Automating Your Discovery Document Process

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 1,800 hours of billable hours per year.

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

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About AI Litigation

How can generative AI litigation help law firms?

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

How does AI prompt litigation?

AI litigation is on the rise, mainly 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 currently available in the legal industry?

There are many AI tools currently available to the legal industry. Briefpoint is a popular option that uses generative AI technology to allow law firms to automate discovery responses and requests.

What’s the biggest legal issue that generative AI developers can face?

As of right now, the biggest issue is contributory or vicarious copyright infringement as some AI models may generate content very similar to copyrighted content, which can directly violate copyright law.

What is Legal Drafting Software and Why Do You Need It?

Drafting legal documents is an inescapable part of litigation. However, as important as this process is, it’s undoubtedly an obstacle.

However, despite its importance, this process is undoubtedly an obstacle.

What if you could draft documents with the same⎯if not higher⎯level of accuracy, quality, and consistency as manual drafting?

Let’s talk about legal drafting software, what it is, and how it can benefit both you and your clients.

What is Legal Drafting Software?

Legal drafting software is a tool that helps lawyers and legal professionals create various legal documents at least ten times faster than the manual process.

By using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, these tools automate many parts of the drafting process.

With legal document generation software, you can easily create a wide range of documents, including but not limited to:

Discovery responses
Estate planning documents
Contracts
Pleadings
Real estate documents
Intellectual property documents
Power of attorney forms
Litigation briefs
Corporate legal documents
Immigration forms

Most of these tools come with smart features like template libraries, clause banks, and automated formatting.

While specific functionalities or niches can vary among these tools, the goal remains the same: to help legal professionals draft their documents in just a few clicks.

The Benefits of Automated Legal Document Drafting

From the definition alone, it’s easy to see how drafting software can be incredibly beneficial for a law firm. Still, we should take a look at the specific advantages to see if it’s a worthy investment for you.

1. Automation Software Saves You Loads of Time

Imagine slashing hours off your workload and achieving better productivity by simply automating the drafting process, which is exactly what legal drafting software offers.

Instead of creating documents from scratch and spending hours on each one, you can start with automated templates designed for various legal documents.

These templates come preloaded with standard clauses and language to simplify the creation process. The software can also automatically pull relevant information from your databases or previous documents, which reduces the need for repetitive data entry.

Aside from speeding up routine drafting and template building, automation also increases your efficiency by allowing you to manage more cases in less time.

It’s a huge burden off lawyers and paralegals, and let’s not forget a non-direct but equally as beneficial effect: better time management for attorneys.

Your Documents Are More Accurate and Consistent

Accuracy and consistency are non-negotiables for any legal document, especially one related to litigation.

Consistency and accuracy in litigation documents keep everything clear and professional, which helps you avoid misunderstandings, lower risk, and make sure your arguments come across as strong and credible.

So, legal drafting software helps you tick off these boxes by using standardized language and terminology across all your documents. Automated formatting takes care of applying the correct styles for a polished, professional look every time.

Many legal drafting tools also offer document versions, which help you manage changes made to each file over time.

What’s more is that advanced generative AI capabilities can detect and suggest corrections for grammatical errors, legal discrepancies, and inconsistencies within the document—all costly errors that can disrupt your legal workflows.

This means you can produce error-free documents that uphold your professional standards every single time.

3. You’ll Save Time and Money While Improving Your Legal Services

The financial benefits of legal drafting software are hard to overlook. By automating the drafting process, you can handle a greater volume of cases without adding to your workload—which, at the very least—can increase law firm profitability.

More importantly, better efficiency translates to lower operational costs, as there’s less need for manual labor and fewer staffing requirements.

Additionally, with fewer errors and inconsistencies, you’ll spend less time on revisions and corrections and save valuable time and resources. In a nutshell, legal drafting software lets you do more with less, making it a cost-effective solution for any legal practice.

How Does Briefpoint Work?

Sometimes, we’re so used to doing a task that we don’t notice how time-consuming it is. Take drafting discovery documents as an example.

If you’ve been doing it manually for years, you’ve likely made your schedule accommodate the process instead of the other way around.

But what if you can start creating these simple yet tedious documents in minutes? What if you can use that precious time for more important aspects of litigation?

The Briefpoint Process

These are the solutions that Briefpoint.ai wants you to achieve. Here’s how it works:

Upload your opposing counsel’s discovery request: Briefpoint’s machine-learning AI system will start extracting as much information as possible, such as routine stuff like court name, case number, parties involved, and so on.
Add objections and responses: At this point, Briefpoint will have already created a caption and filled out the necessary information in your draft. Briefpoint automatically adds objections to each request or interrogatory you can select from.
Download to Microsoft Word: You can download and edit your draft on MS Word at any point of the process. What you get is a mostly completed, properly formatted document in mere minutes!

Taking too much time collecting client responses? Briefpoint Bridge is a built-in feature that lets you select all the interrogatories that need your client’s input, translate the questions into plain English, and send an email link where your client can input their answers.

After your client finishes the form, Bridge will let you input and edit those responses into your document.

Want to know exactly how this works? Sign up for a demo today.

Here’s How Briefpoint Can Save You Thousands

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

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Legal Document Automation

What types of documents can legal drafting software create?

Legal drafting software can handle all sorts of documents, from contracts and pleadings to briefs and memos. The exact types you can create depend on the features of the software you pick.

Is legal drafting software suitable for all types of legal professionals?

Yes. Legal drafting software is pretty versatile and works for solo practitioners, law firms, corporate legal departments, and even legal help organizations. It’s especially handy for anyone who drafts a lot of documents, especially if it’s a cloud-based platform that lets multiple people work on a single task at once.

How does legal drafting software ensure document accuracy?

Most legal drafting software comes with features like template libraries, clause banks, and automated formatting to help avoid errors. The more advanced tools use AI to analyze your documents and suggest improvements, making sure everything is consistent and accurate.

What are other examples of legal drafting tools?

Other options are Clio Draft, LawYaw, and Contract Express, but if you need a specialized tool that will speed up the discovery process, Briefpoint is your best bet.

5 Affordable and Effective Legal Software For Small Firms

Running a small law firm means juggling multiple tasks—handling cases, managing clients, and keeping track of documents—all while staying on top of billing and legal research.

It can feel like you’re constantly racing against the clock.

Legal software can change that. The right tools help simplify your daily operations, save time, and reduce stress.

Whether it’s automating repetitive tasks or keeping your files organized, legal software allows you to focus on growing your law firm by delivering excellent services to your clients.

Let’s dive into the essential software small yet modern law firms need to stay efficient and competitive!

What is Legal Software and Why Is It Important?

Legal software is a type of technology designed specifically for law firms, legal professionals, and other legal organizations to help manage their daily tasks, processes, and responsibilities more efficiently.

This software can include a wide range of tools, from document management and billing systems to case management and legal research platforms.

Each type plays a role in making a law firm more efficient, but how exactly?

Time-saving: Automates repetitive tasks like document drafting and billing to free up time for more important work.
Organization: Keeps cases, client information, and documents neatly organized and easily accessible.
Improved accuracy: Reduces human error in tasks like document generation and financial calculations.
Increased efficiency: Streamlines processes like case management and legal research, allowing firms to handle more work in less time.
Enhanced collaboration: Allows for better team coordination with shared access to case files and documents.
Better client management: Helps track client interactions, ensuring timely follow-ups and improved client communication.

5 Software Types Every Small Law Firm Needs

Solo practitioners and small law firms have specific software needs to keep their operations smooth and efficient, and they may not be the same tools that large or even midsize law firms need.

Here are the five essential types of software every small law firm should consider:

1. Document Automation Software

If you find yourself spending hours drafting the same type of legal documents over and over again, document automation software will be a valuable investment for your firm.

Instead of manually creating contracts, forms, or letters from scratch, you can automate the whole process. This not only saves you a ton of time but also helps make sure that every document is accurate and consistent.

Best option: Briefpoint shortens discovery document drafting from hours to only minutes. By using artificial intelligence to pull in case-specific information, it automates the whole process.

This means you can quickly generate professional, polished documents without worrying about mistakes or inconsistencies, including:

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

How does it work? You upload your discovery request, and Briefpoint will fill out all the routine details, including requests or interrogatories.

Then, you can add objections to each request with a built-in menu. You can download your document any time to add finishing touches to Word.

Want to speed up the collection of client responses? Briefpoint Bridge is a built-in feature that lets you select interrogatories that need responses, translate them into plain English, and send them to your client.

Once your client responds, Bridge will plug their responses into your document for you. Yes, that means no more back-and-forth emailing!

Scheduling a demo here.

2. Law Practice Management Software

Running a law firm, even a small one, can feel like juggling a dozen tasks at once—managing cases, tracking deadlines, communicating with clients, and keeping everything organized.

Law practice management or matter management software is your go-to tool for keeping all those balls in the air.

It helps you stay on top of your cases, schedule, and client relationships without getting overwhelmed.

Best option: Clio is one of the best law practice management software for small or solo law firms when it comes to practice management. It’s essentially a digital assistant that handles administrative tasks like:

Case management
Time tracking
Billing and invoicing
Client portal
Document management
Calendar and task management

With Clio, you can easily manage all your client data, set reminders for important deadlines, and even track billable hours in one platform.

It’s designed to keep your firm running smoothly, letting you focus more on your legal work and less on administrative headaches. Clio also integrates with other tools, which makes it a powerful hub for your firm’s operations.

3. Billing and Accounting Software

Managing billing and accounting can be a real headache for small law firms, especially when you’re dealing with different clients, billing rates, and expenses.

Billing and accounting software takes the stress out of the process by automating tasks like tracking billable hours, generating invoices, and keeping your firm’s financials in check.

Best option: TimeSolv is a top choice for small firms that want an easy way to manage their billing and accounting. It’s built to help you track time, create invoices, and get paid faster. Here’s a rundown of its features:

Time tracking
Invoicing
Expense management
Trust accounting
Financial reports
Payment integration

Plus, it’s cloud-based, so you can access your billing info anytime, anywhere.

4. Legal Research Software

Legal research can be one of the most time-consuming tasks for any law firm, but it’s crucial for building strong cases.

Small law firms often don’t have the luxury of a full-time research team, which is why having the right legal research software is a game-changer. It helps you find relevant case law, statutes, and legal precedents quickly and efficiently.

Best option: Casetext is a fantastic legal research tool that uses AI to help you find case law, statutes, and legal briefs in a fraction of the time.

Unlike traditional research platforms, Casetext is designed to be user-friendly and affordable, making it perfect for small firms. Here are a few key features:

AI-powered research
Brief analysis
Smart search

Its AI-powered search engine, CARA, delivers relevant case results tailored to your specific queries, helping you save time while ensuring you get accurate and up-to-date legal information.

5. Document Management Software

Managing legal documents is critical for any law firm, especially when you have to organize client files, contracts, and case-related paperwork. Without proper document management, things can quickly become chaotic.

Document management software helps small law firms store, organize, and retrieve documents efficiently so that everything is easily accessible and securely stored.

Best option: MyCase is a comprehensive document management solution perfect for small law firms. It offers a centralized platform for storing, sharing, and organizing all your case-related documents.

Centralized document storage
Secure sharing
Client portal
Document templates
Integration with legal practice management software

What makes MyCase stand out is its ability to integrate document management with case management and client communication, which makes it a complete solution for small firms looking to streamline operations.

Plus, it’s cloud-based, so you can access your documents from anywhere at any time.

Balancing Quality and Cost For Small Law Firm Software

For small law firms, it’s essential to strike a balance between quality and cost when choosing software.

You want tools that are reliable, easy to use, and packed with features, but you don’t want to blow your budget on software that’s too pricey or loaded with unnecessary extras.

The good news is that there are plenty of affordable options that deliver high-quality performance without emptying your wallet.

When evaluating software, consider what your firm truly needs.

For example, if you’re looking for document automation or case management software, you don’t need the most expensive option on the market—you need one that gets the job done efficiently.

The trick is to focus on software that offers the essential features you need while keeping the price manageable.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Start with the basics: Look for software that covers the essentials (like document management and billing), and avoid paying for features you won’t use.
Check for scalability: Make sure the software can grow with your firm. You don’t want to switch tools every time your needs expand.
Look for cloud-based solutions: Cloud-based software often comes at a lower cost and allows for more flexibility, especially when you need access on the go.
Free trials and demos: Always try out software with free trials or demos to make sure it fits your needs before committing to a purchase.
Compare pricing plans: Some software tools offer tiered pricing, so you can choose a plan that aligns with your firm’s size and budget without sacrificing key features.

Factors to Consider When Building Your Law Firm Tech Stack

When you’re building the tech stack for your small law firm, choosing the right software can make or break your productivity.

It’s important to consider several factors to ensure the tools you pick work together seamlessly, fit your budget, and serve your firm’s unique needs.

Here are some key points to think about as you build your tech stack:

Ease of Use

Your software should be intuitive and easy to learn. The last thing you want is to spend hours figuring out how to navigate a tool or, worse, spend days training your team. Look for software with a simple interface and clear instructions.

Integration with Other Tools

Your law firm likely uses multiple tools, so it’s important that your software integrates smoothly with others.

For example, your document management software should connect with your billing or case management tool so you’re not entering the same information in multiple places. Integration cuts down on errors and saves time.

Security

Since law firms handle sensitive client information, your software needs to be secure. Make sure the tools you choose offer features like encryption, secure cloud storage, and user authentication.

Data breaches can not only damage your firm’s reputation but also result in legal issues, so security should be a top priority.

Scalability

As your firm grows, your software should be able to grow with it. Look for tools that offer different pricing plans or features that scale as your firm takes on more cases and clients.

Avoid software that’s too rigid or meant only for small operations if you plan to expand.

Customer Support

When issues arise, you’ll want quick and helpful customer support.

Make sure the software provider offers reliable support options, such as live chat, phone, or email, so you’re never left hanging when you need help.

Cost and Budget Fit

Your tech stack should be affordable, but that doesn’t mean going for the cheapest option. It’s better to focus on value — how much time will this tool save?

Will it help you manage cases better? Sometimes, paying a little more for a robust tool can lead to more savings in the long run by improving efficiency.

What Software Will You Need as Your Law Firm Expands?

As your law firm grows, so do the demands on your time, resources, and technology.

The tools that worked when your firm was small may not be enough to handle the increased workload and complexity that comes with expansion. That’s where upgrading your software becomes essential.

Here’s a look at the types of software your law firm will need as it expands:

Advanced Case Management Software

As your caseload increases, staying organized becomes more challenging.

Advanced case management software will help you track and manage everything in one place, from client information and case notes to deadlines and documents.

This software allows multiple team members to collaborate seamlessly so everyone is on the same page with real-time updates.

By automating repetitive tasks and streamlining workflows, case management systems help you stay on top of deadlines and avoid the risk of something slipping through the cracks.

With detailed reporting tools, you’ll also be able to track case progress and performance metrics effortlessly.

Billing and Accounting Software

More clients mean more billing, and as your law firm expands, managing finances can become increasingly complicated. That’s why billing and accounting software is a must.

It automates invoicing, tracks billable hours, and manages expenses, ensuring that your financial records are always up-to-date.

Additionally, it handles trust accounts and generates comprehensive financial reports, which are key for transparency and regulatory compliance.

This software helps make sure clients are billed accurately and on time, which is critical for maintaining your firm’s cash flow as you grow.

Client Relationship Management (CRM) Software

As your client base expands, keeping track of client communications and follow-ups can become overwhelming.

CRM software designed for law firms helps you manage client relationships from the first point of contact through to ongoing case management.

It records communication histories, sends automatic reminders for follow-ups, and ensures no important client interactions are missed.

Cybersecurity Software

The more your firm grows, the more sensitive data you’ll need to protect. Cybersecurity is non-negotiable, especially when dealing with confidential client information.

Cybersecurity software protects your firm from threats such as hacking, phishing, and malware. It also helps ensure compliance with data privacy regulations, which is crucial for maintaining your firm’s reputation and client trust.

Encryption, secure cloud storage, firewalls, and user authentication are just a few of the security measures included in top cybersecurity solutions to keep your data safe from breaches.

Document Management Software

With more cases comes more paperwork. As your firm expands, managing legal documents can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare without a proper system in place.

Document management software centralizes all your documents, making it easy to store, organize, and retrieve files.

Whether cloud-based or on-premises, this software makes sure that documents are stored securely and that the most up-to-date versions are always accessible.

It also makes sharing files with team members more efficient and secure.

Modernize Your Law Firm With Briefpoint

Running a small law firm comes with a lot of responsibilities, but the right legal software can make things a whole lot easier.

From automating documents with Briefpoint to managing cases with Clio or handling billing through TimeSolv, having the right tools in place can save you time, reduce stress, and help you focus on what matters most — serving your clients.

Now, start with the task that takes up the most of your time.

If it’s discovery document drafting, look no further than Briefpoint. With its powerful features designed to cut hours of work down to just minutes, it’s the perfect solution for small law firms looking to maximize efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Ready to see how Briefpoint can transform your law firm? Book a demo today and experience the ease of automated document drafting firsthand!

Maximize Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness With Briefpoint

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

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Legal Software For Small Law Firms

What is legal software, and why do small law firms need it?

Legal software is designed to help law firms manage everyday tasks like case management, document drafting, billing, and research. Small law firms can greatly benefit from legal software as it helps streamline operations, saves time, and improves organization, allowing them to serve clients more efficiently.

Can small law firms afford legal software?

Absolutely. Many legal software providers offer affordable pricing plans tailored to the needs of small firms. Plus, many tools offer free trials, so you can test them before committing. By improving efficiency and saving time, legal software can actually save you money in the long run.

How does document automation software work?

Document automation software allows you to create legal documents quickly using pre-set templates and case-specific data. Instead of drafting each document from scratch, the software automatically generates them, saving time and reducing the risk of errors. Tools like Briefpoint are excellent for this.

Is my data safe when using legal software?

Yes, reputable legal software companies prioritize security. Look for tools that offer features like data encryption, secure cloud storage, and two-factor authentication to protect your sensitive information.

How do I choose the right legal software for my growing firm?

Start by assessing your specific needs. Look for tools that address key areas like case management, billing, document management, and client communication. Ensure that the software is scalable, meaning it can grow with your firm as your needs increase. Check for ease of use, integration with other tools, and strong customer support. Most importantly, consider security features to protect sensitive client data. Trying out free trials or demos can also help you decide if the software fits your workflow before committing.

8 Types of Legal Tech Software Every Law Firm Needs

The legal tech space transforms law firms’ operations by simplifying tasks, maximizing productivity, and improving client service.

Ten years have seen incredible innovation in legal tech, And the results are undeniable⎯greater efficiency and better outcomes.

So, how far have we come?

Let’s talk about the different types of law firm software that have become more than necessary in the legal profession.

What is Legal Tech?

The rise of legal tech has transformed how lawyers work by providing innovative solutions that simplify their workload and free up more time for what matters most.

For law firms and legal practitioners, getting bogged down in paperwork and tedious administrative tasks is a thing of the past.

These powerful tools free up more hours in the day, allowing them to concentrate on delivering top-quality results to their clients.

From intuitive document automation tools to robust CRM systems, there’s a whole slew of tech waiting to optimize your legal workflows⎯through advanced legal research platforms, eagle-eyed contract review software, and seamless billing and accounting solutions, to name a few.

In the past decade, law firms have been pushed to adapt at an unprecedented pace, and it’s leading to a client-centric culture where meeting expectations is just the starting point.

Imagine having more hours in the day to focus on high-stakes cases, settle disputes, or simply run your practice smoothly. These cutting-edge software solutions promise to bring attorneys a new era of productivity and clarity.

So, what does the current tech landscape look like in the legal industry?

8 Types of Legal Technology

Legal software is an umbrella term for tech solutions that aim to make life easier in law firms and legal departments.

In 2024, there are far too many to dissect one by one, but we’re going to focus on the essential tools every law firm needs in their tech stack:

1. Document Automation

Document automation is a type of technology that simplifies the process of creating and managing legal documents. Imagine cutting out the repetitive, mundane tasks of drafting contracts, filling out forms, and making sure everything is formatted correctly.

With document automation, all these tasks are handled by software, which allows you to generate documents quickly and accurately with just a few clicks.

Legal professionals know that tiny clerical errors can snowball into crippling problems. But if we put this technology to work, these potential landmines will be painstakingly dissected, leaving only error-free documents in their wake.

Plus, it pulls in relevant information from your client management system or legal databases so that all necessary details are included without you having to manually input them.

Briefpoint.ai

Briefpoint is one of the easiest solutions available for handling discovery requests and cutting the time needed from hours to just minutes.

To use it, simply upload a discovery request, select your objections and responses, and download the Word document. After that, all that’s left is to sign and serve.

There’s also Briefpoint Bridge, which eliminates the hassle of acquiring, receiving, and inputting client responses into discovery documents.

With this feature, you can have Briefpoint translate the requests into plain English and send them to your clients to collect their responses. and Once your client has added their responses, Briefpoint adds them to your response document and you’re done.

All without the hassle of back-and-forth or manually written emails.

Currently, Briefpoint lets you automate the preparation of responses to and propounding sets off:

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

2. Client Relationship Management

Effective client relationships rely on one crucial element: keeping track of interactions and managing expectations⎯a feat made effortlessly possible by CRM.

A CRM system is central to law firms. It keeps all client interactions and data in one place, making it easy to log conversations, schedule meetings, and optimize daily tasks.

A CRM that delivers gives you a single, seamless view of each client’s history so you can spot patterns, remember important details, and respond with a personal touch.

Scheduling tools help manage appointments and deadlines efficiently, while task management features ensure nothing is overlooked.

Take client satisfaction to new heights with automated reminders and follow-ups that are as thorough as they are timely.

More importantly, clients trust you with their most valuable data – that’s why modern CRMs take that responsibility seriously and integrate robust security features that cover every base and surpass regulatory standards.

Additionally, analytics and reporting tools provide insights into client behavior and firm performance, which can help you make informed decisions and improve your client relationship strategies.

Clio

What sets law firms up for success? A robust CRM like Clio empowers lawyers to prioritize their work, foster strong relationships, and drive business results.

For one, it keeps all your client info in one place, so it’s easy to stay on top of things. Managing your contacts was much easier – you can now book appointments, monitor your conversations, and stash away crucial documents.

Clio is built to integrate with other legal tech tools, so you can stop juggling tasks and focus on core ones.

Whether you’re following up with a new lead or maintaining contact with a long-time client, Clio helps make sure that nothing slips through the cracks and every interaction is recorded.

3. Law Firm Management

Picture this: lawyers juggling phone calls with clients, court dates, and account ledgers, all while trying to keep their firm financially fit and running smoothly.

Law firm or practice management software simplifies and organizes these tasks, which, in turn, makes it easier to run your practice efficiently.

Fortifying your daily operations with the right tools and strategies can help you stay one step ahead of the competition. This is the key to unlocking peak productivity and improving client satisfaction.

MyCase

MyCase simplifies the complexities of running a legal practice. Imagine having all your case details, documents, and communications in one place.

MyCase puts case information right at your command so you can update and access it on a whim and stay organized.

Aside from communication and document management, time and expense tracking is also a breeze with MyCase. You can log billable hours and expenses directly into the system so your billing is always accurate and timely.

Speaking of billing, MyCase makes generating invoices quick and easy. Create detailed invoices, send them to clients, and track payments all in one platform.

Thanks to MyCase’s secure messaging and client portal, communication with clients is seamless. Keep your clients informed and engaged to improve their overall experience with your firm.

Document management is another highlight of MyCase. You can store, organize, and share documents securely, making sure all your important files are easily accessible and protected.

4. Legal Research

At the core of every law practice lies a crucial activity: legal research.

Effective legal services start with thorough investigations. To decide with confidence, you need to dig up and dissect laws, regulations, and past court decisions that back up your argument.

Building a strong legal case requires more than piecing together a few facts—it demands a comprehensive understanding of the law, and that’s where diligent research comes in.

With modern research tools, the grind is replaced by a powerful workflow that produces comprehensive results in record time.

Westlaw

Westlaw is a leading legal research tool that has become indispensable for many law firms. It provides access to an extensive database of legal information, including case law, statutes, regulations, and legal journals.

With Westlaw by their side, law firms can slice through the noise and find the legal insights they need. Suddenly, the insights you need are just a click away.

With an enormous collection of case law, statutes, regulations, and prominent legal journals at your command, you’ll be better equipped to tackle complex cases.

One of the standout features of Westlaw is its KeyCite tool, which helps you verify the validity of case law. With KeyCite, you can see how subsequent courts have treated a case, so you can rely on solid legal precedents.

5. Contract Review and Management

Law firms must balance impeccable contract review with effective management to avoid careless oversights and guarantee comprehensive agreements.

Traditionally, this process could be labor-intensive and time-consuming, involving meticulous manual work to spot potential issues and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

However, modern tools have revolutionized this process, making it far more efficient and less prone to errors.

In today’s legal world, contracts are being revamped with the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in contract management.

Ironclad

With Ironclad, contract management becomes a whole lot easier – we’re talking automation of drafting, approvals, and everything in between. For fast and easy contract creation, set up templates for your standard agreements.

Plus, this tool seriously boosts collaboration, as multiple team members can tackle a contract together, and all changes are tracked live.

Ironclad’s review capabilities are particularly powerful. With AI doing the heavy lifting, this solution identifies essential keywords and provisions, making it virtually impossible to miss anything.

This feature acts as a safety net to catch potential problems and align contracts with your firm’s regulations and standards.

Once contracts are finalized, Ironclad makes it easy to manage them throughout their lifecycle. You can track important dates, such as renewal or termination deadlines, and set up automated reminders to ensure that no critical tasks are missed.

6. Billing and Accounting

Managing billing and accounting is crucial for any law firm. It involves tracking billable hours, managing expenses, generating invoices, and keeping financial records accurate and up-to-date.

These tasks, while essential, can be time-consuming and prone to errors if done manually.

Imagine tackling financial tasks with ease, minus the worry of costly errors–that’s exactly what modern billing and accounting software can do for you.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a popular tool for law firms to manage billing and accounting efficiently. Stay on top of your time and money with a system that effortlessly tracks hours, expense management, and speedy invoice generation.

With QuickBooks, you can send invoices directly to clients to ensure accurate billing and faster payments. Its excellent expense tracking also simplifies monitoring spending and preparing for tax season.

QuickBooks also provides valuable financial insights through its reporting tools to help you track profitability and make informed decisions.

Integrating seamlessly with other tools, QuickBooks creates a smooth workflow, and its user-friendly interface makes it easy for everyone in the firm to use.

7. Client Intake

Law firms know that attracting new clients is just the first step—the real challenge is making them feel welcome and supported.

Client intake includes gathering essential information, managing forms and documents, and ensuring the client feels welcomed and well-informed.

A reliable intake process is like a strong foundation—it sets the stage for a successful client-lawyer partnership and helps simplify and clarify things later.

Lawmatics

Lawmatics takes the hassle out of onboarding new clients by automating everything from gathering essential information to managing forms and documents.

With Lawmatics, you can create customized intake forms that capture all the details you need so you don’t miss anything. Plus, its user-friendly interface makes the whole process smooth and efficient.

One of the standout features of Lawmatics is its ability to track leads and follow up automatically, which means you never miss a potential client.

It also integrates seamlessly with other legal tech tools and CRM systems, which helps keep everything organized and accessible.

8. Electronic Signatures

Many legal organizations are no longer bogged down by paper clutter, thanks to electronic signatures that allow documents to be signed quickly and securely without physical storage.

Digital signatures simplify legal document handling, safeguard sensitive information, and bring paperwork into the digital age.

DocuSign

With DocuSign, you can send, sign, and manage documents electronically so signatures are collected quickly and securely.

No matter what type of legal document you’re working with—contract, agreement, or something else entirely—this platform has the versatility to handle it with ease.

One of the key benefits of DocuSign is its ease of use. Both lawyers and clients can sign documents from any device, whether they’re in the office or on the go.

With this flexibility, delayed signatures become a thing of the past, and important documents get signed promptly.

DocuSign also offers robust security features, including encryption and authentication, to protect the integrity of your documents and the confidentiality of your clients.

Focus on Strategy, Not Paperwork

With how advanced legal tech has become, you might be losing thousands of dollars if you’re still on the fence. Think about the time you can save by simply automating legal processes.

How about the billable hours you can put towards meaningful work instead of routine stuff?

You’ve got better things to do than push paper around – invest your time and energy in offering premium legal expertise. Start building your legal tech stack with a tool that will take hours off your plate.

With Briefpoint.ai, you can draft, format, and complete discovery documents in minutes. Yup, no more copy-pasting from your old documents, spending hours double-checking each line, and going back and forth with client responses.

It’s a huge burden off your shoulders, and you can try it free for your first document.

Take Advantage of Automated Document Generation Today

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

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

FAQs About Legal Technology

Why is legal tech software important for law firms?

Legal tech software effectively hands law firms a boon: enhanced productivity. Fewer hours spent resolving mistakes, tracking inconsistencies, or manually updating records means more hours dedicated to the high-leverage work that propelled these firms to success in the first place.

Can small law firms benefit from legal tech software?

Yes! Legal tech software is beneficial for legal teams, firms, and corporate legal departments of all sizes, providing tools that improve efficiency and productivity.

Is it expensive to implement legal tech software?

Pricing flexibility is the best part – it means smaller companies can squeeze these solutions into their budget without breaking the bank.

How do I choose the right legal tech software for my firm?

Map your company’s needs to the software’s features and pricing to make an informed decision. It’s often helpful to try demos or trials before committing.