"One of the most striking findings from the recently released 8am 2026 Legal Industry Report was that only 11% of firms required mandatory AI training, and only 9% had a written, enforced policy on AI use. Meanwhile, 69% of the 1,300 legal professionals surveyed reported using general-purpose AI tools for work-related purposes."
"In other words, the majority of law firm employees are using AI with virtually no guidance or guardrails. How does your law firm compare? Do you have an AI policy in place, and have you educated your staff about appropriate AI usage? Unfortunately, your firm's employees have been experimenting even as your AI exploratory committee carefully and methodically researches the issue to determine whether now is the time to invest."
"If your small law firm doesn't yet have AI governance in place, the reality is that you're probably too late: the call is coming from inside the house. AI is not a future problem, and adapting is no longer a choice; it requires immediate attention. Your first step should be to reduce AI-related risk by drafting a policy, explaining it to your employees, and training them on appropriate AI use."
"At a minimum, the policy should address: which tools are approved for use, what client and matter information cannot be entered into any AI system, the mandate that all AI-generated work product requires careful review before use, and that all disclosure obligations required by court rules must be followed. Fortunately, it's easier than ever to create governance by leveraging the very tools your employees are already using."
Only 11% of firms require mandatory AI training and only 9% have a written, enforced policy on AI use. Most surveyed legal professionals, 69%, use general-purpose AI tools for work-related purposes. This creates a situation where employees are using AI with little guidance or guardrails. AI governance is presented as an immediate need rather than a future concern. The recommended first step is to reduce AI-related risk by drafting an AI policy, educating employees, and training them on appropriate AI use. The policy should specify approved tools, prohibit entering certain client and matter information into AI systems, require careful review of AI-generated work product, and ensure all court disclosure obligations are followed. Governance can be created using AI tools to draft policies and training programs.
Read at Above the Law
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