Law firms navigate AI’s pros and pitfalls
Writer: Pablo Marquez
August 2025 — As AI tools grow more sophisticated, they are helping lawyers save time, cut costs, and improve accuracy. From automating routine processes to enhancing complex legal analysis, AI is becoming an asset in modern legal practice. But these advancements also bring challenges, most notably “hallucinations,” when AI confidently generates false or fabricated information.
The American Bar Association says AI is being applied across the legal field, where firms can leverage it to boost efficiency and stay competitive. Nearly four in five (79%) legal professionals use AI, according to legal technology company Clio’s latest Legal Trends Report.
AI tools commonly used by law firms include LexisNexis and Westlaw for legal research, ROSS Intelligence for answering legal questions, Casetext for document analysis, Blue J Legal for predicting legal outcomes, and Lawgeex for contract review.
Invest: spoke with legal industry veterans in Palm Beach County to understand how firms are leveraging the use of AI in their practice.
Matthew Chait, Office Managing Partner, West Palm Beach, Shutts & Bowen LLP
Shutts has used AI in certain practice areas for years, even before it became widely discussed. More recently, we adopted a platform specifically designed for law firm use, which we have integrated across all our practices. While AI remains an evolving technology, we have made it a standard part of our operations. We are continually refining its use to better serve our clients, and as the technology advances, so will our use of it. At this stage, AI already plays a foundational role in our practice.
Tasha Dickinson, Partner, Day Pitney
We have an AI committee that is actively studying what AI can and cannot do within the context of a law firm. At Day Pitney, confidentiality and the protection of client data are of the utmost importance. As a result, the firm exercises heightened caution in adopting artificial intelligence technologies, maintaining stricter standards than many other industries to safeguard sensitive information and client trust.The integrity of our client information is paramount.
That said, we recognize that AI can offer efficiency benefits in certain areas. For example, it can assist with specific types of research, though this impacts the litigation side more than my own practice. We do have policies in place that restrict how AI can be used, and we don’t rely solely on it for substantive work.
Overall, it’s a work in progress. We’re open to the possibilities AI brings, but we are moving forward cautiously. It’s a powerful tool, but also a potentially risky one.
Christopher Duke, Office Managing Partner, Akerman LLP
The short answer is: very carefully. AI is certainly a powerful tool, but it can also pose serious risks. There have already been cases where attorneys used AI to draft motions or briefs, only to discover later that the cited cases either didn’t exist or don’t support the intended arguments. That’s obviously unacceptable, as we’re bound by ethical rules and must always present accurate information to the court.
At Akerman, we’ve adopted formal AI guidelines and use a vetted platform designed specifically for law firms. Before any attorney at the firm can use the tool, they must complete training that covers the benefits and potential pitfalls of AI. The goal is to maintain uniformity, compliance, and ethical integrity.
Personally, I use AI more as a sounding board. If I’m exploring a legal theory or defense, I’ll use AI to ensure I haven’t missed anything. It can help highlight perspectives I may not have considered. But it’s crucial not to rely on it for the heavy lifting without verifying the accuracy of the results.
Steven Ellison, Managing Partner of West Palm Beach Office, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
AI and emerging technologies are pushing the legal industry forward at an unprecedented pace. That said, they also introduce serious risks, especially around confidentiality. Legal work depends on protecting sensitive data and trade secrets, so we have to be cautious about how we use these tools.
We’ve adopted AI in select areas, particularly to streamline repetitive tasks and improve productivity. But we do so using secure, law-specific platforms that prioritize confidentiality. Like most firms today, we’re trying to stay in our lane and move forward responsibly. The landscape is evolving fast, and what works today might be outdated tomorrow. The challenge is to embrace innovation while safeguarding client trust. That’s a balance we’re always working to strike.
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