2024 Year in Review: Integrated legal AI and more effective case management

This yr was one among confounding contradictions. Know-how superior shortly—quicker than ever earlier than—with authorized know-how corporations updating their software program at charges by no means earlier than seen in a race to incorporate generative synthetic intelligence capabilities. Nonetheless, regardless of the speedy deployments, the mixing of AI was typically surface-level, with deeper integrations deliberate however not but achieved.

Improvement hurdles had been quite a few. One problem was overcoming the numerous complexities concerned in leveraging accessible knowledge to offer in-depth analytics. One other subject was the excessive prices related to counting on mainstream generative AI fashions, equivalent to OpenAI and Anthropic’s Claude, particularly when performing difficult knowledge analyses.

Final yr, authorized professionals and legislation corporations initially carried out AI at a tempo that far surpassed the adoption charges of the applied sciences that preceded it, equivalent to social media, cellular computing and cloud computing. Nonetheless, research after research confirmed that in 2024, utilization numbers stabilized, though curiosity within the potential of generative AI remained excessive.

The preliminary uptick in utilization occurred regardless of the numerous moral challenges offered by AI, together with confidentiality, biases, “hallucinations” and extra. In response, state bars took discover and issued AI steering at a document tempo in an try to help legal professionals with navigating the numerous roadblocks encountered when utilizing these instruments of their corporations.

All through all of it, I tracked AI software program traits and provided recommendation on selecting authorized software program, most of which was AI-enabled. Conventional authorized software program classes had been additionally up to date, offering authorized professionals with new options designed to streamline follow and matter administration and automate doc creation. Every month I provided an outline of a software program instrument, so for those who’re available in the market for brand new tech on your agency, there’s a great probability one among my 2024 roundups consists of the data you want.

January: Authorized tech survey outcomes

The authorized business noticed speedy modifications in 2024, pushed by fast-moving developments in tech, together with generative AI. In January, I coated the LawPay and MyCase Authorized Business Report 2024, which gives beneficial insights into how corporations are adapting, overlaying key subjects, equivalent to AI adoption, frequent know-how implementation challenges, and the software program relied on to enhance effectivity and profitability. The information confirmed that in late 2023, 27% of respondents reported that they personally used generative AI instruments for work-related functions, and 24% shared that their corporations had adopted legal-specific generative AI software program. Greater than half of these surveyed (53%) reported that it elevated effectivity considerably, and for twenty-four%, it elevated considerably. Different subjects coated included frequent tech implementation challenges and the software program relied on to enhance effectivity and profitability. Whether or not you’re a solo lawyer or managing a big agency, this report offers sensible recommendation on outsourcing, fee flexibility and streamlining operations.

February: Doc automation software program

In case your agency’s follow areas are document-intensive, latest developments in doc automation are price exploring. As I defined in February’s article, this software program has developed considerably—now providing quicker, easier doc meeting. Moreover, strategic acquisitions by authorized tech corporations have built-in superior automation options into legislation follow administration platforms, making it simpler than ever to streamline doc creation workflows. Trying forward, generative AI will additional enhance doc meeting by analyzing authorized language and the refined nuances in context, simplifying drafting and lowering the necessity for guide modifying. By automating the routine duties concerned in creating advanced paperwork, these developments will save time and enhance productiveness.

March: AI-powered authorized analysis

Generative AI has dramatically impacted authorized analysis, with instruments equivalent to GPT-4 now taking part in a outstanding function. Once I final coated authorized analysis instruments in 2019, AI was getting used to refine search outcomes, however generative AI was not but obtainable. At this time, it’s embedded in most authorized analysis platforms, providing an especially intuitive interface with enhanced capabilities. Nonetheless, it isn’t with out its challenges, together with hallucination dangers. My article from March explores among the high authorized analysis merchandise that embody generative AI options. Whether or not you’re a seasoned lawyer or new to AI, this information will enable you select the suitable AI-enhanced authorized analysis platform on your agency.

April: Matter administration instruments for in-house groups

With in-house authorized groups dealing with rising calls for, environment friendly workflows are important. In April, I mentioned how matter administration software program addresses this want by streamlining processes from case consumption to decision whereas enhancing collaboration with inner groups and out of doors counsel. The fitting platform can improve effectivity, mitigate dangers and optimize operations, however choosing the suitable instrument on your crew’s distinctive wants isn’t at all times straightforward. This text offers an outline of matter administration software program for small-size to medium-size authorized departments, highlighting key options, equivalent to e-billing, workflow automation, contract administration and AI capabilities.

Could: AI transient drafting and evaluation instruments

Temporary drafting and evaluation is one other space impacted by generative AI. Many transient writing platforms now embody options to help with modifying, summarizing and drafting paperwork, they usually additionally allow the evaluation of prolonged supplies, equivalent to trial transcripts or appellate briefs. These instruments are notably helpful for litigators, serving to them deal with extra advanced duties, equivalent to growing authorized methods and crafting arguments. Could’s article focuses on AI-powered transient writing and evaluation software program developed for solo and small corporations. In it, I define key options to search for, discover obtainable instruments, and talk about the significance of integration with a agency’s current doc creation software program to make sure a seamless transition and uninterrupted workflows.

June: AI-supported pretrial litigation

Pretrial litigation typically includes repetitive and time-consuming duties, particularly in the course of the discovery section. AI instruments, notably those who incorporate generative AI, are starting to handle these inefficiencies. By streamlining the drafting and evaluation of pleadings, discovery requests and responses, these instruments assist scale back the time spent on routine work, permitting litigators to deal with high-impact, strategic work. This text from June opinions AI instruments for managing pretrial discovery and gives steering on choosing the suitable software program on your agency. Points to think about embody figuring out workflow challenges, assessing the capabilities of current instruments, and contemplating integration choices with present methods.

July: Leveraging AI in legislation follow administration software program

Regulation follow administration platforms function the enterprise basis for a lot of corporations, streamlining workflows, lowering administrative duties, and enhancing productiveness and profitability. Including generative AI options to LPM instruments enhances effectivity by automating routine duties, equivalent to time monitoring, invoicing, doc drafting, summarization and case updates, releasing authorized professionals to deal with higher-value work. In July’s article, I overview latest AI developments in LPM software program, together with key bulletins and have releases from main suppliers. I additionally provide steering on elements to think about when adopting AI instruments, equivalent to performance, pricing and the significance of user-friendly integrations with current methods.

August: ILTACON 2024’s AI onerous promote

This yr’s ILTACON in Nashville, Tennessee, provided flashy however unproven guarantees. Generative AI dominated the dialog, with distributors discussing formidable visions of the longer term however typically showcasing instruments in beta or early growth mode by way of managed demos. General, nonetheless, as I defined in August, it was an progressive showcase of authorized tech potential with a number of key themes rising that counsel the place the business is headed. First, generative AI is shortly turning into the brand new interface for authorized tech, enormously enhancing how professionals work together with their agency’s software program and knowledge. Additionally, competitors amongst distributors was fierce, driving innovation and new options. Whereas a lot of the AI implementation remained surface-level, the promise of sturdy, impactful AI growth was on the horizon.

September: AI-enabled deposition summaries and evaluation

Deposition summarization and evaluation is one other space by which generative AI is altering the way in which that authorized professionals work together with their software program. AI deposition instruments use superior algorithms to overview transcripts, establish crucial themes, flag inconsistencies and extract key insights. By automating these time-consuming duties, this software program allows attorneys to deal with strategic trial preparation, fairly than on mundane, time-consuming transcript overview. This September article explores the advantages of those instruments and gives steering on choosing the suitable software program on your litigation wants.

October: The subsequent technology of litigation analytics

Lastly, in final month’s article, I cowl how litigation analytics software program has developed considerably since I final wrote about it in 2020. By analyzing courtroom data and selections, filings and different datasets, this software program offers insights into judges, case outcomes, attorneys and extra, enabling litigators to develop knowledgeable, data-backed methods. Some corporations have rolled out generative AI integrations that supply an intuitive conversational interface that enhances analytics capabilities, producing summaries, predicting outcomes and providing strategic suggestions based mostly on historic traits. Utilizing this info, authorized groups can establish patterns in rulings, forecast movement success and optimize case methods.

Reflecting on 2024, wanting forward

Reflecting on the previous yr, authorized tech’s speedy evolution was pushed by the mixing of generative AI mixed with the regular refinement of core follow administration instruments. This yr had outstanding innovation and vital rising pains, as corporations balanced the enchantment of cutting-edge applied sciences with the realities of moral implementation.

Trying forward, the momentum from 2024 gives a robust basis for additional innovation. Ahead-thinking authorized professionals who strategy rising applied sciences with strategic planning and an open mindset can be finest positioned to thrive. Whether or not by means of AI-driven analytics, enhanced case administration methods or a mix of each, the alternatives to streamline workflows and supply superior shopper service have by no means been better.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York-based legal professional, creator and journalist, and she or he is the principal authorized perception strategist at MyCase, an organization that gives authorized follow administration software program for small corporations. She is the nationally acknowledged creator of Cloud Computing for Legal professionals and is co-author of Social Media for Legal professionals: The Subsequent Frontier, each revealed by the American Bar Affiliation. She writes common columns for ABAJournal.com and Above the Regulation, has authored lots of of articles for different publications, and commonly speaks at conferences relating to the intersection of legislation and rising applied sciences. Observe her on X (previously Twitter) @nikiblack, or she may be reached at [email protected].

This column displays the opinions of the creator and never essentially the views of the ABA Journal—or the American Bar Affiliation.