What Law Firm Leaders Need to Know About Generative AI

What Law Firm Leaders Need to Know About Generative AI

The 2025 Generative AI in Professional Services Report from the Thomson Reuters Institute confirms what many in the legal industry are beginning to suspect: generative AI (GenAI) is rapidly becoming central to professional workflows. 

The report surveyed over 1,700 professionals across the US, UK, and Canada and found that 95% believe GenAI will be integral to their organization within five years. Legal professionals are beginning to experience its advantages firsthand, from time-saving document analysis to faster, more informed decision-making.

Still, serious concerns remain. Among the most pressing: accuracy, loss of the human touch, quality of output, oversight gaps, and bias. These concerns are not unfounded, especially for a profession built on precision and discretion. However, many of these issues stem from a lack of experience with GenAI tools that are purpose-built for legal practice. When developed with legal workflows and standards in mind, GenAI can meet high expectations for quality and reliability. Tools drawn from trusted, proprietary legal sources and designed in collaboration with legal experts deliver outputs that align with the profession’s rigorous standards.

The key for law firm leaders is to treat GenAI not as a replacement for legal judgment, but as an enhancement. While no AI system should operate without human oversight, carefully selected tools can automate repetitive tasks, accelerate research, and unlock new efficiencies. This frees attorneys to focus on strategy, client relationships, and higher-order analysis.

Managing partners should take note: the legal sector is already seeing a rise in GenAI adoption, with positive sentiment increasing year over year. Firms that integrate generative AI wisely—prioritizing data security, legal accuracy, and workflow integration—will be best positioned to compete. The risk isn’t in adopting GenAI; it’s in falling behind those who are.