Surveys have found that around 43% of professionals are already using generative AI at work, a number that jumps with every new survey. The industries most likely to already use AI include marketing, advertising, and tech. Source: FishbowlApp

This number is sure to continue to grow. Researchers predict that 80% of the US workforce will have at least 10% of their work affected by AI, and 19% of workers will have at least 50% of their work affected by them.

At the same time, the number of AI-related job postings has increased in almost every industrial sector, according to Stanford. In our own survey, 39% of respondents had already used AI for their legal work. While this number is lower than the rates for professionals in general, it does indicate that many legal professionals are eager to utilize the benefits of this new technology.

Surveys also show that nearly 70% of those who use LLMs hide it from their boss, raising the possibility that managing partners may be unaware of ways their legal staff is already using these tools.

How Lawyers Currently Use AI

Respondents listed a variety of uses for generative AI in their legal work. Most common responses included: 

Cutting through the jargon

Respondents reported they use AI to delight clients and communicate more clearly 

  • Transform complex technical language into plain English.
  • Make writing more reader-friendly
  • Translate treatment codes and medical terminology into plain
  • English.

Analyzing data

Respondents say they use AI to make sense of data, understand trends, and make informed decisions

Marketing

AI helped firms that were already stretched thin to generate materials for marketing.

  • Generate blog
  • Write newsletter
  • Create copy for websites.

Generating legal documents

Respondents listed a variety of documents which AI has helped them to draft, including:

  • Form letter
  • Deposition question
  • Contract
  • Agreement templates
  • Opening statements for trial
  • Pleading
  • Responses to adjuster
  • Correspondence

Conducting legal research

Lawyers surveyed said they used AI to supplement their legal ground work

  • Look for relevant statutes and ordinances.
  • Ask research questions in plain language and get answers that summarize current case law.

Streamline intake

AI is helping lawyers have a rapid and inviting response to incoming leads

  • Chat with the incoming lead
  • Schedule Meeting
  • Send text message reminder
  • Automate the onboarding process.

Schedule meetings

AI can find the best time for meetings, tasks, and breaks.

Write code

Legal professionals can get a tech boost from AI that generates and analyzes code, while checking for errors