From 22% to 80%: AI in Legal Practice in 2025

The legal industry has officially entered its AI era. In just one year, AI in legal practice skyrocketed from 22% to 80%, marking the most dramatic technology shift the profession has witnessed in decades.

This isn’t just about numbers: it’s about an entire industry embracing innovation with strategic confidence. Legal professionals have finally gotten their “AI sea legs,” and the implications for AI in legal practice are profound.

The great awakening: AI in legal practice

The legal profession’s relationship with artificial intelligence has evolved rapidly over the past year. Like many industries, legal professionals have moved from initial evaluation to strategic implementation as AI tools have matured and proven their value in professional settings.

This shift seemingly came from a pressing concern in 2024, that law firms were struggling to keep pace with the rapid growth of AI and other disruptive technologies:

The data from our 2025 Legal Risk Index reveals a profession that has embraced AI with remarkable speed. The 80% adoption rate represents a fundamental shift from experimentation to implementation, from curiosity to commitment in how AI in legal practice is being integrated.

But, what does that 80% look like in practice? 

Beyond basic applications: Strategic integration

What’s striking about this transformation is how sophisticated legal AI applications have become. The industry has moved far beyond basic content generation that made up most of their use in 2024.

Enhancing professional services has emerged as the top application at 46%, representing a mature understanding that AI isn’t replacing legal expertise—it’s amplifying it. For law firms, AI augments research capabilities, identifies relevant precedents more quickly, and ensures comprehensive case preparation.

Automating client support interactions ranks second at 45%, showing how firms are improving client experiences while freeing up human resources for higher-value work. One specific circumstance would be improving accessibility and responsiveness without sacrificing the personal touch clients expect.

Strengthening cybersecurity measures rounds out the top three at 40%, reflecting awareness that AI can be both a risk and a solution in digital security. For example, AI tools have been used by organizations to detect phishing attacks, as the number of these breaches have increased substantially, and law firms remain high-value targets for threat-actors.

The finding that utilization has evolved from basic “developing or drafting content” (which dominated 2024 usage at 48%) to these strategic applications demonstrates that legal professionals have moved beyond the experimental phase of AI adoption.

The Cconfidence transformation

The most significant shift isn’t in what legal professionals are doing with AI, but in how they feel about it. The profession’s comfort level with AI-driven tools has increased substantially, with more legal professionals expressing confidence in their ability to implement and manage AI effectively.

According to Reuters’ 2024 Future of Professionals Report, “Over the past few years, legal professionals have become less wary of artificial intelligence (AI). Indeed, they are increasingly embracing AI as a transformative force, becoming more and more optimistic about the positive impact it can have on their practices.”

This confidence shift happened as practical experience replaced theoretical concerns. Real-world implementation has shown AI as a powerful complement to legal expertise, leading to broader acceptance across the profession.

While risks and misuse are still a concern, the benefits of AI in law practices seem to outweigh the consequences for lawyers and law firms, and this substantial one-year shift could be the result of that awareness.

Best practices for implementation of AI in legal practice 

As legal professionals have gained experience with AI tools, several best practices have emerged for successful implementation. Establishing clear governance frameworks is essential—firms should develop written policies that define acceptable AI use cases, required human oversight protocols, and client disclosure requirements. Data security remains paramount, with successful firms implementing strict controls over what information can be processed through AI systems and ensuring compliance with client confidentiality obligations.

Quality control measures are equally critical. Leading firms establish review processes where AI-generated work undergoes thorough human verification, particularly for client-facing documents or strategic recommendations. Training programs help staff understand both AI capabilities and limitations, while regular audits ensure policies are being followed consistently.

The most successful implementations also include client communication strategies, with firms proactively discussing their AI use with clients and obtaining appropriate consents. This transparency builds trust while protecting against potential professional liability issues down the line.

Navigating implementation risks

As with any significant technology adoption, legal professionals continue to thoughtfully address AI’s potential challenges:

• Over-reliance leading to professional liability risks tops concerns at 43%, showing lawyers understand the importance of maintaining human oversight when implementing AI in legal practice.
• Data privacy breaches concern 38% of respondents, reflecting acute awareness of client confidentiality requirements.
• Legal and ethical issues due to misuse worry 37%, demonstrating proactive thinking about compliance and ethical obligations, as well as legal malpractice.

These considerations haven’t disappeared with increased adoption—but, what is clear is that AI must be integrated into comprehensive risk management strategies. Legal professionals that are implementing AI will need to employ appropriate governance frameworks and internal policies to mitigate the risks they’re still exposed to.

Helpful tools for AI-workflow implementation

The legal profession’s thoughtful approach to AI in legal practice has yielded significant advantages. By taking time to evaluate options and develop implementation strategies, legal professionals have been able to select mature, reliable AI tools that align with their specific professional needs.

The amount of tools built specifically for law firms is growing. As our Chief Insurance Officer, Andy Lea, listed in an article for Law.com:

• WestLaw: An online legal research service and database provided by Thomson Reuters.
• Harvey: A generative AI platform designed specifically for the legal industry.
• Bloomberg Law: Utilizes AI to enhance legal research and practice.
• Clio: Integrated AI into their practice management software to enhance efficiency and client experiences.
• Lex Machina: Employs AI to analyze litigation data and provide strategic insights for legal professionals.

These tools have allowed firms to avoid common pitfalls while maximizing the benefits of AI integration. The result is an industry that’s now positioned at the forefront of professional AI implementation.

For more information on these tools and how law firms are actually using them, check out this recent webinar with Reminger Law and Everest:

Does your law firm use AI?

In this webinar with Reminger Law Firm and Everest, we explore the use-cases of AI in legal practice, the best tools for the job, the risks, and the benefits for lawyers.

Watch On-Demand

The new normal

What we’re witnessing isn’t just a temporary surge—it’s the establishment of a new baseline for legal practice. AI tools are set to become as fundamental as legal research databases and case management systems.

The legal professionals who successfully navigated this transformation share common characteristics: they approached AI implementation strategically, maintained focus on client service and professional obligations, and used their professional expertise to assess and manage risks associated with new technology.

The professionals thriving in this landscape are the strategic implementers who understand that successful AI integration requires the same careful planning and professional judgment that defines effective legal practice.

As Jordan Furlong, a lawyer and legal sector analyst recently told Fortune Magazine, “Lawyers are not big R&D people. They’re not hackers and experimenters. They are ‘tell me what this thing can do. Tell me it is safe to use it, and I’ll use it… I find it incredibly exciting. Terrifying for sure. Risky, no question. But really exciting.”

As the legal industry continues to evolve, the professionals who develop their “AI sea legs” while maintaining their professional standards will be best positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive and technologically sophisticated marketplace.

What’s next for AI in legal practice?

The rapid adoption of AI in legal practice reflects broader technological trends affecting all professional services. The integration of AI in legal practice represents not just technological advancement, but strategic evolution in how legal professionals approach innovation and client service.

This transformation demonstrates that when implemented thoughtfully, AI tools can enhance rather than replace the core competencies that define quality legal work.

While this dramatic shift in AI adoption shows promise for the future of AI in legal practice, the complete picture reveals nuanced implementation strategies and opportunities that every legal professional needs to understand.

Get our full 2025 Legal Industry Risk Index to access all findings, implementation strategies, and risk management frameworks that can help position your practice for success in the AI-driven legal landscape.