Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to the realm of science fiction—it is here, and it is changing the way nearly every profession operates. In the practice of law, AI tools are emerging rapidly, offering both opportunities and challenges for lawyers and our clients. It seems like every software program, practice management tool, and court reporting service has an AI component. Like it or not.
On the positive side AI can dramatically improve efficiency, when properly supervised, in areas like legal research, document review, and contract analysis. Tasks that once took hours of manual effort and study can now be completed in minutes, giving lawyers more time to focus on the nuanced strategy, judgment, and advocacy that AI can’t replicate. For clients, this could mean faster turnaround, better mastery of complex case details, and in some cases lower costs and potentially greater access to legal services that might otherwise be prohibitively expensive.
There are also clear benefits for law firm teams. Paralegals and legal assistants will find that AI can efficiently complete repetitive tasks—such as sifting through discovery documents—allowing more time for higher-value work. Far from replacing these professionals, AI has the potential to elevate their roles and make their contributions more impactful to successful client outcomes.
Of course, these advances come with new challenges and greater responsibilities for lawyers. AI raises questions of confidentiality, accuracy and ethical rule compliance. Confidentiality is a foremost concern. Because many AI platforms operate through cloud-based systems, lawyers must thoroughly understand how client data is stored, protected, and secured. Use of “open source” AI programs, that “learn” through other user’s data, can reveal that information to third parties. Careful protection of confidential data must be preserved.
AI’s tendency to “hallucinate” or literally invent law out of whole cloth, has been largely documented with serious consequences for lawyers not verifying the AI production materials before filing. Critical here is how one asks the question of the AI platform – “What is the published law on the issue of…” should return a valid response, whereas “I need a case that says …” might get a fictional tale from the computer’s creative spirit. A lawyer needs to carefully vet both the inquiry and the response before filing any AI created material.
Another challenge is accuracy: AI can generate useful summaries, but it lacks the judgment to weigh competing evidence or understand the human dynamics that shape legal disputes. lawyers must supervise work using AI tools to ensure all output used on behalf of clients is real and accurately interpreted based on the specific facts of the client’s case. Professional responsibility rules demand vigilance, and lawyers must carefully research providers to ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards.
One common fear is that AI will eliminate some legal jobs. That may be true in some industries, but not in law. The practice of law is fundamentally about human judgment, advocacy, and relationships. A client does not want AI to make arguments on their behalf or counseling them through sensitive matters such as family disputes, complex business disputes or negotiations, or criminal defense. Instead, AI should be viewed as a tool that supports—not supplants— lawyers, paralegals, and staff.
The future of law will not be defined by AI replacing lawyers. It will be defined by lawyers who are wise enough to use and properly supervise emerging technologies to better serve their clients. At Mead Law Group, we believe that combining human expertise with the efficiencies of AI allows us to deliver higher-quality representation while maintaining the personal touch and professional judgment our clients deserve.
For more information on Mead Law Group, call 702-745-4800, meadlawgroup.com or email leon@meadlawgroup.com. The firm is at 7201 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 550.
