Use Cases for Generative AI and the Legal Profession

Use Cases for Generative AI and the Legal Profession

Generative AI (GenAI) is rapidly reshaping the legal profession, according to a Thomson Reuters article, promising a future where attorneys focus more on high-value advisory work and less on routine tasks. 

The article cites the 2025 Generative AI in Professional Services Report from the Thomson Reuters Institute, which states that legal professionals are leading the way in adopting this technology. Over half of all respondents across industries described their outlook on GenAI as hopeful or excited, and 95% expect it to become central to their workflows within five years. Within the legal sector specifically, that future is arriving fast.

Legal professionals have already begun incorporating GenAI into core tasks, finding that it saves time, increases productivity, and opens new opportunities for innovation. The number of law firms using GenAI tools has nearly doubled over the past year, with more than a third of firm-based users accessing these tools multiple times a week.

Corporate legal departments are embracing the technology even faster. With use cases ranging from document review and legal research to drafting contracts, memos, and correspondence, GenAI is demonstrating clear practical value while freeing up time for more strategic legal work.

The article notes that GenAI does not replace professional judgment, but enhances it. By accelerating research and automating routine drafting, AI tools help lawyers apply their expertise more effectively. Yet despite this momentum, many legal organizations are falling behind in preparing for GenAI’s full integration. The report points to a lack of training programs, usage policies, and ROI metrics as potential barriers to broader, smarter adoption.

For managing partners, generative AI is no longer speculative. It is already transforming legal practice. Firms that invest now in governance, training, and thoughtful implementation will be best positioned to lead in a rapidly evolving legal marketplace.