The Current State of Legal Automation

Walk into almost any law firm today and you’ll notice a shift. Filing cabinets are thinner, inboxes are a little less overwhelming, and many of the repetitive administrative tasks that once kept paralegals and junior associates busy are being handled differently.

The change comes from legal automation software, a category of automation tools designed to take over routine manual processes.

This isn’t a quiet trend; it’s reshaping daily practice. According to the 2024 ABA Legal Tech Survey, the number of law firms using AI-based tools rose from 11% in 2023 to 30% in 2024.

Meanwhile, Clio’s Legal Trends Report shows adoption among legal professionals skyrocketed from 19% to 79% over the same period. As you can see, it’s a profession-wide shift.

For attorneys and staff, the impact is tangible. Tedious tasks like drafting standard contracts, sending reminders, or tracking compliance deadlines no longer require the same level of human input. The work still gets done, but faster, more consistently, and with fewer mistakes.

The legal field has always balanced tradition with change, but the rise of automation signals a profession ready to rethink how its time and talent are spent.

How Does Automation Work?

If the numbers from the last section have you wondering how to try automation for yourself, here’s a closer look at how it actually works.

Law firm automation uses a mix of technologies to automate legal processes, taking on time-consuming tasks that once required constant human intervention.

At the simplest level, legal automation follows a pattern: input data, apply rules or models, and produce an output. What’s different now is the role of artificial intelligence, which allows tools to learn, adapt, and cut down on human error.

Here are the main types of technology driving this change:

• Natural language processing (NLP): Reads and interprets contracts, clauses, or case law, making it easier to search and analyze text.
• Machine learning (ML): Spots patterns in past cases, billing data, or compliance reports, then predicts outcomes or highlights risks.
• Robotic process automation (RPA): Handles repetitive clicks, filings, or form submissions across systems without needing a person to do them.
• Generative AI: Drafts contract clauses, summaries, or responses to client questions in plain language for faster review.

Together, these tools allow legal teams to save time and focus on the work that really needs a human’s judgment.

Key Areas of Automation in Law

Automation touches almost every corner of legal work, but some areas see the biggest payoff. Let’s take a look at some of them:

Document Automation

Essentially, legal document automation makes drafting paperwork a whole lot easier. Instead of typing the same details over and over, you can use document templates to quickly generate contracts, pleadings, or letters.

This approach speeds up document drafting, keeps things consistent, and reduces mistakes that often happen when drafting contracts by hand. Some platforms come with built-in document management that keeps everything organized, so you don’t waste time hunting down the latest version.

Platforms like Briefpoint take it further by automating litigation documents from start to finish. Want to see how it works in practice? Book a demo with Briefpoint today.

Client Intake and Communication

Bringing in new clients and keeping existing clients happy often comes down to clear communication. Automated processes can help here by handling the repetitive back-and-forth that takes up so much time.

For example, instead of manually sending follow-up emails, an intake form on your website can feed directly into your system. The client gets an automatic confirmation, you get their details neatly organized, and nothing slips through.

The same approach works for reminders, billing notices, or status updates. Automation keeps the flow of information steady, which leads to more satisfied clients who feel informed and cared for. And for firms, it means spending less time on admin and more time on providing actual legal services.

E-Discovery

E-discovery, or electronic discovery, refers to the search and review of digital records for litigation or investigations. In any modern legal practice, that often means combing through emails, chat logs, documents, or even cloud storage.

Traditionally, this work involved endless clicking and manual data entry; a perfect example of the kind of time-consuming processes lawyers have long struggled with.

These days, automation changes the equation by connecting to your existing systems and cutting down the volume of repetitive review. This way, you can rely on technology to narrow the field and surface what really matters.

Here’s what happens when you automate legal discovery:

• Smart filtering reduces massive datasets to a manageable pool in minutes.
• Pattern recognition highlights suspicious activity or hidden relationships.
• Sensitive data tagging keeps privileged or confidential information protected.
• Integrated review tools keep everything synced across platforms.

For firms, the benefits go beyond efficiency. With automation, teams can redirect effort toward analysis (where judgment matters) and generate more billable hours doing substantive legal tasks.

And for clients, faster turnaround and accurate results translate into a clear competitive advantage in litigation.

Case Management

Managing several matters at once can get overwhelming. One client needs an update, another has a deadline coming up, and documents for a third are still waiting for review. 

The real challenge comes from the pile of routine tasks that eat away at valuable time when you’re handling multiple clients.

With legal workflow automation, many of these background details can run on their own. In turn, you can clear operational efficiencies across the team. 

Plus, rather than constantly checking calendars or sending reminders, the system takes care of the mechanics while you focus on strategy.

Examples of tasks that can be automated include:

• Scheduling hearings, filings, and reminders on shared calendars
• Assigning tasks to the right team member as a case progresses
• Sending automatic updates when a case status changes
• Tracking deadlines so nothing falls through the cracks

When you minimize repetitive admin work with case management automation, your lawyers and staff have more space to concentrate on meaningful legal work.

Legal Research Support

Research is a big part of legal work, but it’s also one of the biggest drains on time. Every hour spent digging through case law or statutes adds to the pile of non-billable hours that firms struggle to control. 

Automation helps by taking repetitive searches and turning them into faster, smarter processes.

For example, a legal team creates a knowledge base where past research, briefs, and case notes are stored. With automation, that information is searchable and tied to new matters, so lawyers don’t have to start from scratch each time.

Automation can also connect research tools with document assembly, so findings flow directly into memos or motions. The end result is a way to streamline manual processes while improving accuracy and consistency across the board.

How to Apply Automation to Your Legal Workflows

There isn’t a perfect formula for rolling out automation in a law practice. Every firm has its own priorities, budget, and way of working. But the common thread is simple: start where automation can make the biggest impact on repetitive tasks and build from there.

Try these steps:

1. Spot the Repetitive Work

The first step in applying automation is figuring out where your time really goes. In most firms, the biggest drain comes from repetitive tasks like data entry, scheduling, or generating standard documents.

These jobs rarely require deep analysis, yet they eat up hours of manual effort every week. That’s why identifying them early makes such a difference.

For example, entering client details into multiple systems, sending reminders for court dates, or formatting routine contracts are all areas where an automated workflow can help. 

By mapping out which steps repeat day after day, you’ll see where law office automation can take the load off.

The idea isn’t to change everything at once but to shine a light on the tasks that keep staff busy without adding much real value to clients.

2. Pick One Workflow to Improve

Of course, trying to automate every process at once can overwhelm a team. A better approach is to start with a single workflow; something that’s repetitive and easy to measure.

For example, client intake is a strong candidate. It often involves duplicate data entry, long email threads, and plenty of back-and-forth. Automating that process not only saves time but also improves the overall client experience.

Here are a few ways automation can reshape intake:

• Use online forms that feed directly into your system, reducing human error
• Offer clients the option to upload documents themselves, offering self-service options
• Set up automatic confirmations and reminders so no one is left waiting
• Connect intake data to document assembly tools

Starting small gives your team a clear win without the disruption of changing everything at once. Once the first workflow is running smoothly, it’s easier to expand automation to other areas like contract review or billing.

3. Choose the Right Tool

Once you’ve picked a workflow to automate, the next step is finding legal tech software that fits the job. Not every tool is designed for the same purpose, so it’s important to match the solution to the task at hand.

For example, if your biggest pain point is drafting pleadings or motions, you’ll want software built for document generation rather than a general project tracker. On the other hand, if your firm struggles to keep track of deadlines, then workflow-focused platforms are a better match.

Specialized tools like Briefpoint are built specifically for discovery documents, taking the heavy lifting out of document creation and helping legal teams save hours on repetitive drafting. See how it works today!

4. Test and Adjust

Once a process is automated, it’s important to monitor how it performs in practice. Does the new setup actually save time? Are there points where information gets stuck or overlooked? Running the process with automation in place will highlight what’s working and what still needs tweaking.

Small adjustments, like changing the way data fields are mapped or how reminders are triggered, can make the difference between a tool that feels clunky and one that truly supports the team.

5. Train Your Team

Even the smartest automation system won’t reach its potential if the people using it aren’t comfortable with it. Training should cover both the mechanics of the software and the moments when human review is still necessary.

For example, a tool might handle document automation, but the final draft still needs a lawyer’s eyes. When everyone on the team understands their role in the process, adoption goes smoothly and confidence in the new system grows.

Clear guidance also reduces resistance to change, which can make automation a natural part of daily work rather than an added burden.

6. Expand Gradually

The first successful automation is a proof of concept. When your team sees that it works, the question becomes: what’s next? The answer isn’t “everything at once.”

Rolling out too much too quickly usually creates confusion. A better approach is to add an automation layer by layer, using early wins to guide your decisions.

Maybe you start with intake forms, then move on to billing, and later add compliance reminders. Each step should be measured, not rushed. Treating automation as a long-term plan rather than a quick fix, you’re building a foundation for real change.

Firms that take this strategic approach not only improve efficiency but also gain a noticeable competitive advantage. And with the right legal automation tools, the practice grows more agile without overwhelming the people who make it run.

Rethink Your Legal Workflow With Briefpoint

Legal work has always involved details, deadlines, and documents. What’s shifting now is who—or rather what—handles the most repetitive parts. Automation is becoming part of the daily fabric of modern practice.

Drafts are created faster, calendars update themselves, and teams spend less time stuck in the weeds. Firms that adapt see smoother operations, fewer errors, and a stronger focus on client service.

The practices that move ahead won’t just be adding technology for the sake of it. They’ll be choosing tools that let their lawyers and staff spend more time on strategy and client relationships. That’s where automation proves its worth.

Briefpoint was built with that purpose in mind. Its document generation capabilities give litigation teams a way to handle drafting in minutes instead of hours, lifting one of the heaviest burdens in the workflow.

Want to see how it works in action? Book a demo with Briefpoint today.

A Crash Course to AI and Its Legal Applications

AI is basically software that can “learn” from patterns and do things that normally require human thinking, like reading, writing, or analyzing.

For law firms, it means tools that help with repetitive tasks, cut down on manual work, and give you more time for tasks that demand more brain power and human intervention.

At its core, AI looks at data and makes recommendations or takes action based on rules it’s learned. Here are a few types of AI used in legal tech today:

• Natural language processing (NLP): Understands and analyzes human language, which is great for reviewing contracts or pulling key terms from large documents.
• Machine learning (ML): Learns from past data to improve over time and is often used in tools that flag risky clauses based on previous cases.
• Generative AI: Creates text, summaries, or drafts—helpful for legal memos, emails, or even first-draft contracts.
• Predictive analytics: Looks at trends and past outcomes to help estimate risk, likely decisions, or timelines.

Used right, AI becomes a smart assistant, not a replacement. But how can you apply this tech to your law firm’s operations?

Best Ways to Use AI to Improve Law Firm Efficiency

Improving efficiency is the best first step when adding AI to your law firm’s toolkit. You don’t need to overhaul your entire practice; just start with the areas that slow you down the most. Here are some of the most practical ways to use it day to day.

1. Speed Up Paperwork With Document Automation

Drafting legal documents is one of the most tedious tasks in any law firm. Whether you’re responding to discovery or creating routine contracts, the back-and-forth, formatting, and manual edits can take hours.

That’s why document automation is one of the most practical ways to improve law firm efficiency, especially when it comes to reducing administrative tasks and cutting down the document review process.

Document automation tools use legal technology and, more recently, generative AI to help create first drafts in minutes. You upload a file or fill out a simple form, and the tool builds a complete document based on preset templates or your firm’s past work.

Here’s where legal document automation helps:

• Creating discovery requests and responses
• Filling out standard agreements like NDAs or contracts
• Reducing errors from copying and pasting
• Keeping formatting and legal language consistent

Tools like Briefpoint go a step further by handling full sets of interrogatories, requests for admission, and production, letting you propound or respond to discovery in all U.S. jurisdictions with just a few clicks. 

Learn more about how it works here.

2. Automate Client-Related Tasks

Meeting client demands is a big part of running a successful law firm, but it’s also one of the most time-consuming. From answering questions to gathering paperwork, these tasks often pull staff away from billable work.

With that in mind, automating parts of client service is one of the most effective ways to improve law firm efficiency while still delivering exceptional service.

For example, AI can help with:

• Client intake: Collect basic information through AI-powered forms or chatbots to reduce back-and-forth and manual data entry.
• Appointment scheduling: Use smart scheduling tools that sync calendars and send reminders to clients automatically.
• Document collection: Let clients upload files through secure links while AI organizes and stores them properly.
• Status updates: Keep clients informed through automated messages that track key milestones and deadlines.
• Answering common questions: Use AI chat assistants to respond instantly to FAQs without tying up staff.
• Personalized follow-ups: Trigger messages based on case stage, deadlines, or client activity for a more personalized client experience.

These tools don’t just save time, but also improve client communication, reduce overhead costs, and help firms focus on improving operational efficiency while still maintaining the quality of their legal services.

3. Leverage AI-Powered Legal Research Tools

Legal research is another common time drain for attorneys. It’s tedious, slow, and often hard to bill at full value. But with AI-powered tools, legal professionals can get through research faster and sharpen their legal strategies more efficiently.

According to the Legal Industry Report 2025, 46% of frequent AI users in law already rely on it to conduct general research. This shows that AI is becoming a go-to tool across the legal industry for saving time and making data-driven decisions.

Here’s how AI can improve your research process:

• Search in plain English and get precise results without complex query strings
• Scan case summaries to find what matters faster
• Catch outdated or missing citations before you file
• Link related rulings and laws automatically for deeper context
• Reduce non-billable research time and focus more on strategy

By helping law firms adopt more streamlined processes, these tools give you more control over your time and allow you to compete with other law firms that are already using tech to improve performance and client results.

4. Add Smart Scheduling Assistants

Schedules are the backbone of any law firm. From client meetings to court deadlines, everything depends on staying organized and on time.

Smart scheduling assistants make this easier by handling meeting coordination automatically. These tools manage invites, reminders, and updates, so your team doesn’t have to do it all by hand.

For instance, platforms like Calendly and Clara, or features built into legal practice management software like Clio and PracticePanther, allow clients to book appointments based on your availability.

They sync with calendars, prevent double-bookings, and send confirmations or reminders with minimal human intervention.

Using AI like this improves time management, reduces administrative overhead, and keeps your day running smoothly. It also helps create a more professional and responsive experience for clients.

5. Let AI Draft Routine Communications

Not every message needs to be written from scratch. Simple emails, follow-ups, and routine updates don’t always require legal expertise, and many law firms are now using AI to help with these day-to-day tasks.

While AI shouldn’t send messages without review, it can save time by drafting first versions that you can quickly personalize.

This approach helps boost law firm productivity, free up billable hours, and improve how you’re keeping clients informed without constantly starting from a blank screen.

AI can help with:

• Drafting appointment confirmations and reminders
• Writing follow-up messages after meetings or filings
• Creating templates for intake, updates, or status reports
• Responding to common client questions with approved language
• Generating internal updates or summaries for staff

Using communication tools with built-in AI also supports more personalized client experiences, since messages can be tailored quickly based on case type or client needs.

When used thoughtfully, AI helps keep your communication timely, consistent, and professional without draining your team’s time. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep things moving, maintain client satisfaction, and make routine tasks far more manageable.

6. Use AI-Driven Analytics to Find Opportunities for Improvement

Data is a valuable resource that often gets overlooked in the legal process. As firms continue to explore better ways to save time and work smarter, AI-driven analytics offer a clear advantage.

By tracking metrics across your practice, like response times, billing patterns, and document turnaround, you can spot what’s working and what needs attention. These insights help you adopt strategies that actually move the needle and support your law firm’s success.

AI tools built into case management, document management, and law firm billing software often include dashboards that visualize trends across teams, clients, and matters.

Here’s what you can track and improve:

• Key performance indicators (KPIs) like time to resolution, case duration, and task completion rates
• Billing gaps where work was done but not logged
• Workflow delays in document review or client communication
• Utilization rates by attorney or team
• Client feedback trends and satisfaction scores

These insights can help you streamline workflows, balance workloads, and make more informed decisions across the firm. With the right data, you can improve how your team works and how your clients experience your services, leading to long-term results that matter.

7. Try Using Voice-to-Text Tools

Voice-to-text tools offer a simple way to turn spoken words into written content quickly, which can help reduce non-billable work and free up more time for other tasks.

You can use this kind of AI during client meetings, internal briefings, or even while you’re thinking through ideas on the go. It’s especially useful for capturing details you might otherwise forget or for organizing thoughts before a draft.

By reducing time-consuming tasks like manual transcription, these tools help improve efficiency without much effort. Some tools can even support analyzing data from multiple recordings to identify common issues or trends across cases, adding even more value to your notes.

However, because sensitive case information may be shared aloud, privacy matters. Make sure you’re using the right technology that offers encryption and data security, especially when client information is involved.

For firms focused on maximizing law firm productivity, cutting down time spent on routine documentation, and improving the firm’s efficiency, voice-to-text can be a quiet but powerful upgrade.

Briefpoint Makes Document Work Easier, And That’s Just the Beginning

It’s already 2025. Getting through all the day-to-day tasks at a law firm doesn’t have to mean long nights and crowded calendars. And with smarter tools, you can take back your time while still maintaining high-quality work.

That’s where AI fits in. Of course, not to replace your expertise, but to take the routine stuff off your plate.

Briefpoint is one of the easiest wins. It handles your discovery drafting from requests for admission to interrogatories, so you don’t have to start from scratch every time.

Modern firms using it are saving up to 87% of the time they used to spend on document prep. No wonder more than 500 law firms already rely on it to make their workflow faster and easier.

Curious how much time your team could save? Book a demo with Briefpoint and see how it fits into your day.