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Automation vs. Gen AI: Choosing the Right Tech for Law Firms

Due to their complex and detail-orientated nature, legal firms are always on the lookout for new tools to streamline operations and enhance client services. As technology continues to evolve, the industry is increasingly adopting automation and AI to provide this boost. 

While automation in law firms and Gen AI for legal purposes are often mistaken for the same thing, they actually work very differently. Understanding their distinctions helps firms to set realistic expectations and invest in the right tools for the right tasks. 

In this article, we’ll compare AI vs automation for law firms, exploring the features, benefits and applications of both technologies to clarify their unique roles, and how they can work together to support your firm. 

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7 minutes

Written by Clare Bonsall, Head of Product at Access Legal.

  1. What is automation in law firms?
  2. Uses of automation in law firms
  3. What is Gen AI for legal firms?
  4. Uses of Gen AI for legal firms
  5. Using automation and Gen AI together for greater efficiency
  6. Choosing the right tools for automation in law firms

What is automation in law firms?

Automation refers to systems that are programmed to follow specific rules to complete tasks. These workflows depend on pre-defined logic to function, and are ideal for executing repetitive processes quickly and reliably. For instance, a case management system can send reminders, populate forms or update records without manual input. 

Automation is highly efficient in areas where processes are predictable. It reduces human error, improves compliance and speeds up tasks by delegating them to software tools. In legal firms, automated workflows are a cornerstone of case management software. 

Uses of automation in law firms

Automation thrives in areas of law that are heavily process-driven, where efficiency and accuracy are particularly important. By handling repetitive administrative tasks, automation frees up valuable time for legal professionals to focus on higher-value work, such as client advisory and case strategy. 

Wills and probate 

Automation is used in wills and probate software to reduce administrative burdens by generating client correspondence, updating estate plans based on new information, and scheduling important follow-ups. These automated processes not only save time but also help to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory estate planning requirements. 

Conveyancing 

Automation plays a key role in conveyancing by streamlining property transactions. It can be used to generate contracts, cross-check documentation for missing details, and provide real-time updates to stakeholders. This improves both efficiency and accuracy in property transfers, reducing delays and keeping everything on track. 

Corporate law 

In corporate and commercial law, automation can simplify contract management by generating standardised templates, tracking key deadlines, and managing approval workflows. This ensures legal accuracy while speeding up complex transactions, allowing firms to handle high volumes of contracts with precision and efficiency. 

What is Gen AI for legal firms?

Generative AI goes beyond rule-following by interpreting data and producing content based on context. Unlike automation, which is static, Gen AI adapts and learns. It’s particularly effective for tasks requiring creativity or contextual understanding, such as document drafting, sentiment analysis or summarising data. 

For legal firms, Gen AI enhances workflows by handling tasks that demand greater levels of customisation and nuance. From summarising lengthy documents to generating tailored client communications, it helps to minimise admin and free up lawyers for more client-focused tasks. 

Uses of Gen AI for legal firms

Gen AI is more suitable than automation for areas of law that require adaptability, complex reasoning and nuanced decision making. Rather than just following rules, it can analyse vast amounts of legal data, generate context-aware content, and assist with tasks that require interpretation. 

Personal injury 

Gen AI enhances personal injury case management by efficiently summarising medical records, insurance claims and accident reports, allowing legal teams to assess cases more quickly and accurately. It also generates empathetic and personalised client communications, helping to build trust and provide reassurance during stressful and emotional processes. 

Employment law 

Gen AI plays a role in employment law by drafting bespoke workplace policies that meet changing regulations and requirements. It can also analyse sentiment during workplace investigations, ensuring that communications are not only legally compliant but also sensitive to the context and tone of the situation. This helps legal teams to maintain regulatory compliance and ensure a respectful approach in delicate matters. 

Family law 

In family law, Gen AI streamlines case management by drafting tailored agreements such as prenuptial contracts or custody arrangements. It can also quickly and accurately summarise lengthy court documents and identify relevant case precedents. By automating these administrative tasks, lawyers can dedicate more time to providing empathetic and personalised support to their clients. 

Litigation 

In litigation, Gen AI streamlines case preparation by conducting in-depth legal research, drafting pleadings and analysing past case outcomes to identify favourable precedents. By handling these time-consuming tasks, these tools enable lawyers to build stronger arguments and refine their strategies with greater efficiency and confidence. 

Using automation and Gen AI together for greater efficiency

Automation and Gen AI each have their strengths, but combining them allows legal firms to maximise productivity and enhance client service. While automation manages structured, repetitive workflows, Gen AI handles tasks requiring adaptability and human-like understanding. 

For example, a firm could use Gen AI to summarise a client’s complex case documents. Automation could then take over, distributing those summaries to relevant team members and scheduling follow-ups. This seamless integration ensures that tasks are completed efficiently without losing the human touch where it’s needed. 

By leveraging both tools, firms can achieve better outcomes for their clients while saving time and reducing costs. Regardless of the area of law, combining automation in law firms and Gen AI for legal tasks is key to making the most out of your resources to support business growth without compromising on customer service. 

Choosing the right tools for automation in law firms

To stay competitive in the rapidly evolving legal landscape, firms must choose their technology wisely. However, it’s not as simple as just weighing up AI vs automation for law firms. Rather than viewing these technologies as competing solutions, firms that integrate both can create a more agile, productive, and client-focused practice. The key is knowing where each tool adds the most value. 

Contact us today for personalised guidance on the right tools for your business. 

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