AI in Law Firms - October 2024 Update

Clear Guidance’s AI updates aim to provide a high level summary of the practical use of AI that we are seeing inside of small and midsize law firms, both our clients and in discussions with other firms, vendors, and at industry events.

Microsoft CoPilot continues to provide minimal benefit. Several CGP client firms started CoPilot testing and pilot programs in 2024, and none have moved forward with additional deployments. The biggest benefit from CoPilot is for Teams meetings, and that can be licensed via a (significantly cheaper) Teams Premium license.

 

CoPilot example in PowerPoint

 

  • NetDocuments continues to outpace other DMS providers with their suite of AI powered tools. iManage’s announcement for CoPilot integration may be a major feature for firms that lean heavily on CoPilot as it continues to evolve.

  • Attending ILTAcon this year, there was an entire aisle of startup AI companies. For firms comfortable with cutting edge technology, there is a wide variety of options available, but many are still in early stage and unproven. Buyers should be cautious.

  • Skribe.ai has hit full speed and is offering a compelling product for depositions.

  • More firms are starting to pilot Adobe Acrobat’s AI tool, which is very affordable at $5/mo, and does not train on or otherwise use your data per their documentation.

Dustin Bolander