Just 7.5 percent of law firms say they are making use of legal artificial-intelligence tools, while another 29 percent are beginning to explore their options for using AI, according to a survey of firms with 50 or more lawyers conducted by the management consulting firm Altman Weil.
For the firms that said they are pursing innovations, the survey asked them to describe what they are doing. I won’t repeat all the responses here, but let me offer a sample:
Use of IBM Watson.
Developing a strong data analytics team to track client and firm predictive data.
Bringing e-discovery in house.
Created a training-tool app that the firm sells to clients needing to conduct large-scale legal trainings.
Hosting a firm-wide “Innovation Day.”
Giving permission to people to take risks and make mistakes to test out alternative fee arrangements.
Increased client collaboration and share technology to improve coordination.
Moved to non-lawyer management of practice groups to improve lawyer efficiency and better utilize resources.
