By Nick Abrahams -
For years, legal tech has been touted as a game-changer for the profession, offering the promise of automation and heightened efficiency. Despite some successes in areas such as eDiscovery, contract lifecycle management, practice management and content organisation, the anticipated sweeping transformations have not materialised.
Lawyers, known for their cautious approach to innovation, have largely stuck to traditional methods, adopting technology only in measured and incremental steps.
The emergence of Generative AI (GenAI), however, is poised to alter this trajectory dramatically. Unlike its predecessors, GenAI brings the potential for revolutionary change, capable of processing vast amounts of data, drafting and reviewing legal documents, and even attempting to predict case outcomes with unprecedented sophistication. Already, numerous law firms and in-house legal teams report significant impacts from GenAI – and this is only the beginning.
Opinions on GenAI’s role in law vary widely. At one extreme are advocates who foresee a future dominated by “robo-lawyers”, with AI systems performing much of the work traditionally done by human lawyers. Goldman Sachs has projected AI could automate up to 44 per cent of tasks handled by lawyers, reflecting optimism about the technology’s potential. At the other end of the spectrum are sceptics who, having seen the rise and fall of trends like blockchain without significant disruption, view GenAI as another passing fad.
The truth likely lies between these extremes. GenAI is better seen as an enhancement rather than a replacement for lawyers. AI will help lawyers much like the way an eBike assists a rider. GenAI will provide support with routine tasks, but the core of legal analysis and judgment will still rest with lawyers.
Understanding the legal GenAI landscape
We are in a “peak Legal GenAI” era, with a multitude of vendors offering AI-enabled tools aimed at enhancing legal workflows. For lawyers, navigating this complex ecosystem is key to identifying the solutions that best meet their needs.
Legal GenAI tools can be categorised into three distinct groups:
- General productivity solutions
These tools, while not specifically designed for the legal sector, aim to improve overall productivity for knowledge workers. Examples include Microsoft Copilot, Gemini for Google Workspace, Slack GPT, and Notion AI. - Use-case specific LegalAI solutions
These platforms focus on particular legal tasks, such as contract review or due diligence, often incorporating GenAI into established products. Their specialised functionality makes them potentially highly effective for targeted legal challenges. - Multi-purpose LegalAI solutions
These platforms have been specifically trained on legal materials and cover a wide array of legal use cases. Notable providers include Lexis+ AI, Thomson Reuters’ CoCounsel, Harvey.ai, and vLex’s Vincent AI, offering comprehensive solutions for diverse legal needs.
Understanding where a tool fits within this framework can guide legal professionals in making informed decisions about adoption, ultimately enhancing both practice efficiency and service delivery.
The AI Pyramid Framework: A tool for evaluating GenAI solutions
Through my research for the GenAI Productivity Training for Lawyers course at Bond University, I’ve developed an AI Pyramid Framework to help lawyers assess GenAI products. This framework categorises solutions based on how broadly or specifically they meet the needs of legal practitioners. There are three layers to this pyramid.
1. Universal AI
At the base of the pyramid are general productivity AI tools that almost all lawyers can integrate into their daily workflow. While not legally specialised, these tools enhance productivity across tasks such as email management, document summarisation, and meeting coordination.
Public AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini fall into this category. Though affordable and accessible, lawyers must exercise caution using these tools, avoiding input of confidential information due to limited privacy guarantees. These tools can provide assistance with admin tasks, including in relation to HR and marketing. They can also be used to do some legal research. However, it is important to recognise that they can be wrong. Generally, using these tools for legal research performs best in relation to topics where there is a lot of high-quality information on that topic on the internet, for example summarising the EU’s privacy regime, GDPR. However, their accuracy diminishes in niche or rapidly evolving legal fields.
Microsoft Copilot for MS 365 can also be thought of as Universal AI. It integrates seamlessly into familiar software like Word, Outlook, Teams, and Excel. This minimises disruption, encouraging adoption while boosting productivity. As Copilot is a Microsoft product, firms may feel comfortable allowing it to access confidential data, but it is important to read the Microsoft terms and understand the extent of Microsoft’s confidentiality protections. Many firms already trialling such tools report an increase in efficiency, with widespread adoption anticipated within 12 to 24 months.
2. Focused AI
Midway up the pyramid are AI tools tailored to specific legal use cases, such as contract review, due diligence, or eDiscovery. These tools deliver precise functionality but may only be relevant for certain tasks and will not be relevant for all lawyers all the time.
Below is an outline of key use cases and vendors offering solutions:
| Use Case | Vendors |
| Contract Review & Drafting | Spellbook, Diligen, RobinAI, LawDroid, LawGeex, Luminance, Bryter, Avvoka, Multi-purpose Vendors |
| Contract Lifecycle Management | Ironclad, iCertis, Docusign, Malbek, ContractPodAI, Sirion, Agiloft, Evisort |
| Practice Management | Clio, LEAP |
| Discovery | Reveal Brainspace, Relativity, DISCO, Casepoint, Everlaw, Logikcull, Epiq, Sightline, Nextpoint |
| Due Diligence | Kira, eBravia, Luminance, Multi-purpose Vendors |
3. Precision AI
At the top of the pyramid are tools designed for complex legal analysis. These solutions, while advanced, still require careful human oversight to ensure accuracy. Key players include Lexis Nexis, Thomson Reuters, Harvey and vLex’s Vincent. In addition to doing complex legal analysis, these tools are also able to do one or more of the tasks covered in the Focussed AI and Universal AI layers.
View The Breakthrough Lawyer’s Legal AI Tech Pyramid
The road ahead: A balanced approach to GenAI adoption
Legal professionals are likely to integrate a mix of universal AI tools alongside one or more focused and precision AI solutions. By combining the strengths of these categories, lawyers can streamline operations, enhance accuracy, and elevate the quality of their services.
The rise of GenAI marks a turning point for the legal sector, offering transformative opportunities that surpass previous legal tech advancements. To fully capitalise on these technologies, lawyers must embrace AI as an empowering partner—one that complements their expertise and judgement rather than seeking to replace it.
Nick Abrahams is the Global Co-leader of the Digital Transformation Practice at Norton Rose Fulbright. He is also an adjunct professor at Bond University where he teaches the online, short course, The Breakthrough Lawyer: GenAI Productivity Training for Lawyers.
