The legal profession, often seen as one of the bastions of tradition and precedent, is undergoing a profound transformation with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
This digital revolution is reshaping how legal professionals work, from streamlining research and document review to automating routine tasks. In this article, we will delve into the burgeoning role of AI in the legal field and its implications for the need of technology lawyers in this evolving landscape.
Law’s AI revolution
Artificial intelligence, once relegated to the realm of science fiction, is now an integral part of the legal industry. AI encompasses a range of technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing (NLP) and data analytics, all of which are being harnessed to enhance legal processes.
Ian Aldridge of Progressive Legal considers it an exciting time for the industry, and spoke to me about where AI is now and where it is heading.
Here’s where he believes we’re seeing AI already being put to the best use.
Legal research
Historically, legal research has been a time-consuming and labour-intensive task. In the past, lawyers pored over volumes of case law, statutes, and legal documents to build their arguments.
With AI-powered research tools, such as ROSS and Lex Machina, lawyers can now access vast databases and receive highly relevant and up-to-date information within seconds. This not only saves time but also allows for more comprehensive and accurate legal research.
Contract review and analysis
AI has brought a transformative change to contract management. AI algorithms can analyse contracts, identify key clauses, and flag potential issues or inconsistencies. This not only speeds up the contract review process but also reduces the risk of human error.
“You can give a contract that you’ve received from another party to an AI bot and it will be able to tell you the major clauses that you need to be looking at,” Aldridge said.
“It’ll be able to probably identify a number of clauses that you may want to strike out completely – depending on what side of the arrangement you’re on – and suggest a number of different wordings or for clauses or identifying major areas of risk.”
Predictive analytics
AI-powered analytics can predict legal outcomes based on historical data. This capability is invaluable for litigation strategy and risk assessment. Lawyers can use AI to anticipate how a judge might rule on a case or assess the likelihood of a settlement.
“In the European Union, we’re already seeing AI being a decision maker in small claims division and small low-level tribunal matters,” said Aldridge.
Document automation
Creating legal documents, such as wills, contracts and legal briefs, has become more efficient with AI-powered document automation tools. Lawyers can generate customised documents by simply inputting relevant information, eliminating repetitive drafting tasks.
“At the end of the day, there’s very few people that love drafting documents,” said Aldridge. “Most love using their brain to make decisions about things and whether to include stuff or tweak or use your creativity or critically analyse something. AI leaves us with more time to do the work that we want and like to do, which is advising clients.”
E-discovery
In the world of litigation, e-discovery involves sifting through vast volumes of electronic documents to find evidence. AI-powered e-discovery tools can quickly and accurately identify relevant documents, reducing the time and cost associated with this process.
“These days you won’t find 50 to 100 lawyers poring through documents in a dark, damp room, doing discovery,” said Aldridge.
“Some might argue that that is a good thing because it is a horrendous experience.”
The growing need for technology lawyers
As AI continues to reshape the legal landscape, the need for technology lawyers has never been more pronounced. These legal professionals play a pivotal role in harnessing the power of AI while navigating the complex legal and ethical considerations that arise.
Here’s how the rise of AI in the legal field is creating an increased demand for technology lawyers:
Legal and ethical compliance
AI applications in law must adhere to legal and ethical standards. Technology lawyers are instrumental in ensuring that AI systems used in legal practice comply with data privacy regulations, maintain client confidentiality, and adhere to ethical standards. They also help in addressing potential bias in AI algorithms, ensuring that decisions are fair and equitable.
Contract negotiation and review
While AI can streamline contract review, it cannot replace the nuanced judgement of experienced lawyers. Technology lawyers are needed to oversee the AI-driven contract review process, interpret the results, and negotiate contract terms effectively.
“AI won’t replace lawyers; there’s still going to have to be a human element to it.” said Aldridge.
“But it’s going to assist us in doing more so the work will get better as a result of us being able to do more and do things faster.”
Intellectual property and AI
AI often produces innovative solutions and products. Technology lawyers are crucial in securing patents and protecting intellectual property rights related to AI innovations, such as machine learning algorithms or AI-generated content.
A good technology lawyer needs to understand the nuances of this relatively new arena of IP.
AI liability and accountability
With AI making legal decisions or recommendations, questions of accountability and liability arise. Technology lawyers help in defining responsibility and liability in cases where AI is involved, whether it’s in autonomous vehicles, medical diagnostics, or legal advice.
Regulatory compliance
AI applications in law must adhere to a complex web of regulations. Technology lawyers are essential in navigating these regulations, ensuring that AI systems comply with industry-specific standards and legal requirements.
Challenges and opportunities
While AI offers unprecedented opportunities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of legal services, it also presents challenges. The adoption of AI in law requires a significant investment in technology, training and infrastructure.
However, these challenges are accompanied by opportunities for lawyers to leverage AI as a powerful tool, enabling them to focus on higher-level tasks that require critical thinking, creativity and empathy.
The rise of AI in the legal field is nothing short of a revolution. It is transforming how lawyers work, making legal processes more efficient and accessible. However, with this transformation comes the need for technology lawyers who can navigate the intricate intersection of law and AI. These legal professionals play a vital role in ensuring that AI applications in the legal sector are not only effective but also ethical and compliant with the law.
As AI continues to evolve, technology lawyers will remain at the forefront, helping to shape the future of the legal profession in an increasingly digital world. The era of AI in law has arrived, and it is here to stay, ushering in a new era of legal practice.
Marshall Thurlow is the Director and Founder of Orion Marketing Pty Ltd. He is a digital marketer with expertise in SEO, website design, content marketing and project management. With over 15 years of experience spanning government, not-for-profit and the private sector, he is well equipped to lead teams to success.