Most law firms know AI will change how they work. Fewer know where to start. The good news is that getting ready doesn’t require a big bet. It requires a handful of practical steps that make every AI tool you adopt safer and more useful.
This guide covers seven first steps. For the ethics side, read our insight on what the ABA’s guidance on generative AI means for your firm.
1. See where AI is already being used
Chances are, people at your firm are already using AI tools, with or without approval. Start by asking. Knowing what’s in use, and for what, tells you where the demand is and where the risks are.
2. Write an AI use policy
A short, clear policy should cover which tools are approved, what they may be used for, what information may and may not be entered, and how output must be checked. Keep it practical, and update it as tools change.
3. Get your data in order
AI is only as good as the information it works from. If matter data is scattered, inconsistent, or out of date, AI will reflect that. Consolidating data and agreeing on definitions pays off long before AI arrives. Read more in why agentic AI needs governed metrics.
4. Choose lower-risk use cases first
Start where mistakes are easy to catch and the benefit is clear:
- Answering internal questions from your own policies and procedures.
- Summarizing long documents for internal review.
- Drafting first versions of routine correspondence.
- Preparing reports and analysis from data you already trust.
Save higher-risk uses, such as client-facing advice or anything filed with a court, for when your policies, tools, and verification habits are proven.
5. Pick tools you can trust
Prefer tools that show their sources, keep client data under your control, and let you set firm-wide rules. We explain why in why our Litify AI expert is built to say “I don’t know”.
6. Pilot, measure, and train
Run a small pilot with a clear goal, such as time saved on a specific task. Measure the result, gather feedback, and train everyone who’ll use the tool on its capabilities, its limits, and how to verify its output. Keep an eye on cost as you scale; see what an AI agent really costs to run.
7. Assign ownership
Name someone responsible for AI at your firm: approving tools, maintaining the policy, and reviewing how things are going. Without an owner, AI adoption tends to happen by accident.
A simple readiness checklist
- We know which AI tools our people use today.
- We have a written AI use policy.
- Our key data is consolidated and consistently defined.
- We’ve chosen one or two lower-risk use cases to start.
- Our tools cite sources and protect client data.
- We’ve trained the people who’ll use them.
- Someone owns AI decisions at our firm.
Ready to take the next step? Learn about our AI consulting services, or read how we stood up an AI assistant across a company.
Frequently asked questions
How should a law firm start with AI?
Start by learning which tools are already in use, writing an AI use policy, getting key data in order, and piloting one or two lower-risk use cases with tools that cite their sources.
What are good first AI use cases for law firms?
Lower-risk options include answering internal questions from firm policies, summarizing documents for internal review, drafting routine correspondence, and preparing internal reports.
Does a law firm need an AI policy?
Yes. A written policy that covers approved tools, permitted uses, client data, and verification helps firms use AI responsibly and meet their professional obligations.
