"More and more lawyers are using artificial intelligence to save time and improve their workflow, and individuals are outpacing their firms in bringing on the technology. The reasons why are clear: 65% of those who use AI report saving 1-5 hours weekly, and some save 10-plus hours, according to the 2025 Legal Industry Report from 8am™. Meanwhile, law firms at the organizational level are signaling a cautious approach that is likely slowing adoption."
"However, organizations that adopt AI tools are seeing big benefits; 61% of these firms report improved efficiency, while 21% report significant improvements. Lawyers are using AI to reduce non-billable hours on tasks like email drafting and file review. Firms are seeing faster client intake, better data analysis, and improved payment collections. At the same time, firms that are slow to adopt risk falling behind competitors who leverage AI for both legal and business operations."
"Legal Research and Writing In what is perhaps its most transformative application for the legal industry, generative AI has eliminated countless tedious hours from the drafting and research process. As noted by Nicole Black of 8am, an Above the Law contributor, the technology has reshaped numerous tasks in this area. AI can create outlines for memos and pleadings to organize your research and writing. It can evaluate briefs and offer suggestions on improving their persuasiveness, and it can quickly find answers to general legal questions."
Individual lawyers are adopting AI tools faster than their firms, yielding tangible time savings; 65% of users report saving 1–5 hours weekly and some save more than 10 hours. Organizations are more cautious, often prioritizing integration with trusted service providers, and firmwide adoption slightly slowed from 2023 to 2024. Firms that implement AI report efficiency gains—61% report improved efficiency and 21% report significant improvements. AI reduces non-billable time on email drafting and file review, accelerates client intake, enhances data analysis, and improves payment collections. Slow adopters risk losing competitive advantage in both legal work and business operations.
Read at Above the Law
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