AI Summit Offers Roadmap for Law Firms Embracing Generative AI

Innovation Leaders Share Research-Based Strategies at Exclusive Event

NEW YORK CITY – Over 100 law firm innovation professionals gathered at the invitation-only Strategic Knowledge & Innovation Legal Leaders’ Summit last week to chart a course for integrating generative AI into their practices. The event, held March 27 in New York City, featured a groundbreaking survey of AI adoption trends and best practices.

“Law firms are quickly moving from merely using AI tools to transforming their operations with AI,” said Ari Kaplan, who co-facilitated the summit’s keynote “What’s Hot?” session with Oz Benamram, former chief knowledge and innovation officer at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

22 Use Cases, 180 Solutions Identified

The SKILLS survey, which interviewed approximately 100 law firm professionals in early 2025, found that:

• Firms have an average of 18 active generative AI solutions, with 6 more in pilot phase

• The most common use cases are contract drafting, time entry, due diligence, and legal research

• 99% of firms have an AI use policy, 92% have an AI strategy, and 87% have an AI task force

“These results underscore how seriously law firms are taking generative AI,” Kaplan noted. “Policies, strategies, and skilled teams are essential for gaining the trust of stakeholders and clients.”

Innovation Teams Lead AI Efforts as Roles Evolve

As law firms shift from AI tools to AI transformation, innovation teams are taking the lead in implementing AI strategies at 59% of surveyed organizations. Knowledge management (44%) and IT (43%) also play key roles.

“The rapid pace of AI development necessitates a cross-functional team to drive the firm forward, with the head of innovation often serving as the designated ambassador,” Kaplan explained. “IT and knowledge management are also becoming more prominent as AI transforms law firm operations.”

OpenAI’s GPT Dominates, but Market Remains Fragmented

Among firms using generative AI, a strong majority (76%) rely on OpenAI’s GPT as their foundational language model. Anthropic’s Claude (19%) and Google’s Gemini (15%) are a distant second and third. One-third of respondents use an external provider to help build their model, but the market remains fragmented with about 15 applied AI partners mentioned.

Adoption Challenges Persist Despite Growing Use

While 73% of firms utilize a legal AI assistant or chatbot, adoption rates remain low, with just 22% reporting 50-100% adoption across the firm. Cost-effectiveness and the availability of better alternatives are key factors driving some teams to stop using certain tools.

“To ensure success, firms should start with passionate early adopters and explore markets beyond the U.S. for fresh ideas,” Kaplan advised. “Document automation is also experiencing a resurgence as a proven alternative to some generative AI use cases.”

Practical Tips for Embracing the AI Future

As the generative AI revolution accelerates in the legal industry, Kaplan and summit attendees offered several recommendations for law firms:

• Communicate consistently about AI initiatives from the top down

• Give innovation leaders a direct line to firm executives

• Collaborate across functions and with external providers

• Establish clear policies on ethics, approved tools, human oversight, and risk assessment

• Avoid long-term agreements and high renewal costs for unproven tools

• Focus on unique value, not chasing every new development

• Start small with willing early adopters to build momentum

“Generative AI is transforming law firms faster than any previous technology,” Kaplan concluded. “By embracing research-based best practices and practical strategies, innovation leaders can harness its potential to drive their firms into the future.”