Legal AI integrated into case management for more effective case management
This year was full of contradictions. The technology advanced faster than ever, with legal technology companies updating software at a rate never seen before in a race to incorporate generative artificial intelligence capabilities. However, despite the rapid deployments, the integration of AI was often surface-level, with deeper integrations planned but not yet achieved.
Development hurdles were numerous. One of the biggest challenges was overcoming the complexity involved in leveraging available data to provide in depth analytics. Another issue was the high costs associated with relying on mainstream generative AI models, such as OpenAI and Anthropic’s Claude, especially when performing complicated data analyses.
Last year, legal professionals and law firms initially implemented AI at a pace that far surpassed the adoption rates of the technologies that preceded it, such as social media, mobile computing and cloud computing. Study after study revealed that by 2024, usage figures would have stabilized but interest in generative AI would still be high. In response, state bars took notice and issued AI guidance at a record pace in an attempt to assist lawyers with navigating the many roadblocks encountered when using these tools in their firms.
Throughout it all, I tracked AI software trends and offered advice on choosing legal software, most of which was AI-enabled. Legal professionals also received updates to traditional categories of software, which included new features that streamline practice management and automate document generation. Each month I offered an overview of a software tool, so if you’re in the market for new tech for your firm, there’s a good chance one of my 2024 roundups includes the information you need.
January: Legal tech survey results
The legal industry saw rapid changes in 2024, driven by fast-moving advancements in tech, including generative AI. In January, I reviewed the LawPay and MyCase Legal Industry Report 2024. It offers valuable insights on how firms are adapting. It covers key topics such as AI adoption and common technology implementation challenges. In late 2023, the data showed that 27% of respondents said they personally used generative AI for work-related reasons, and 24% said that their firms had implemented legal-specific generative AI. Over half (53%) of those surveyed said that it improved efficiency somewhat. For 24% it increased it significantly. The report also covered common tech implementation issues and the software used to improve efficiency and profitability. Whether you’re a solo lawyer or managing a large firm, this report provides practical advice on outsourcing, payment flexibility and streamlining operations.
February: Document automation software
If your firm’s practice areas are document-intensive, recent advancements in document automation are worth exploring. This software has evolved, as I explained in my article from February. It now offers faster and simpler document assembly. In addition, strategic acquisitions made by legal tech companies integrated advanced automation features in law practice management platforms. This has made it easier than ever for document creation workflows to be streamlined. In the future, generative AI is expected to improve document assembly through the analysis of legal language and subtle nuances within context, simplifying the drafting process and reducing the requirement for manual editing. By automating the routine tasks involved in creating complex documents, these advancements will save time and increase productivity.
March: AI-powered legal research
Generative AI has dramatically impacted legal research, with tools such as GPT-4 now playing a prominent role. When I covered legal research tools for the last time in 2019, AI was used to refine search engine results, but generative AI wasn’t yet available. Today, it is embedded in most legal search platforms and offers an intuitive interface with enhanced capabilities. It is not without its challenges. My March article explores the top legal products that have generative AI features. This guide will help you select the best AI-enhanced research platform for your firm, whether you’re an experienced lawyer or a newbie to AI. In April, I explained how matter management software can help meet this need by streamlining the processes from case intake through to resolution and improving collaboration between internal teams and outside counsel. It’s not always easy to choose the right platform for your team. The right platform can increase efficiency, reduce risks, and optimize operations. But choosing the right tool is crucial. This article provides an overview of matter management software for small-size to medium-size legal departments, highlighting key features, such as e-billing, workflow automation, contract management and AI capabilities.
May: AI brief drafting and analysis tools
Brief drafting and analysis is another area impacted by generative AI. Many brief writing platforms include features that help with editing, summarizing, and drafting documents. They also allow the analysis of long materials, such trial transcripts or appeals briefs. These tools are especially useful for litigators as they allow them to focus on more complex tasks such as developing legal strategy and crafting arguments. May’s article focuses primarily on AI-powered software for brief writing and analysis developed for solo practitioners and small firms. In it, I outline key features to look for, explore available tools, and discuss the importance of integration with a firm’s existing document creation software to ensure a seamless transition and uninterrupted workflows.
June: AI-supported pretrial litigation
Pretrial litigation often involves repetitive and time-consuming tasks, especially during the discovery phase. AI tools, especially those that incorporate generative AI are beginning to address inefficiencies. These tools reduce the time litigators spend on routine tasks by streamlining the analysis and drafting of pleadings and discovery requests, and responses. This article from June offers advice on choosing the right software for you firm. It reviews AI tools to manage pretrial discovery. Issues to consider include identifying workflow challenges, assessing the capabilities of existing tools, and considering integration options with current systems.
July: Leveraging AI in law practice management software
Law practice management platforms serve as the business foundation for many firms, streamlining workflows, reducing administrative tasks, and improving productivity and profitability. Addition of generative AI to LPM software enhances efficiency, automating routine tasks such as time tracking and invoicing, document creation, summarization, and case updates. This allows legal professionals to focus their efforts on more valuable work. In my article from July, I review the latest AI advancements in LPM, including key announcements, feature releases, and new product offerings by leading providers. I also offer guidance on factors to consider when adopting AI tools, such as functionality, pricing and the importance of user-friendly integrations with existing systems.
August: ILTACON 2024’s AI hard sell
This year’s ILTACON in Nashville, Tennessee, offered flashy but unproven promises. The conversation was dominated by generative AI, with vendors presenting ambitious visions for the future while often demonstrating tools in beta mode or early development via controlled demonstrations. As I explained in August it was a showcase of the potential of legal technology, with several key themes emerging which suggest where the industry will be heading. First, generative AI has quickly become the new interface in legal tech. It greatly improves how professionals interact with software and data. The fierce competition among vendors also drove innovation and new features. While much of the AI implementation remained surface-level, the promise of robust, impactful AI development was on the horizon.
September: AI-enabled deposition summaries and analysis
Deposition summarization and analysis is another area in which generative AI is changing the way that legal professionals interact with their software. AI deposition tools use advanced algorithmic techniques to analyze transcripts, identify key themes, flag inconsistencies, and extract key insights. This software automates these time-consuming tasks so that attorneys can focus on strategic trial planning rather than mundane, time-consuming transcription review. This September article explores the benefits of these tools and offers guidance on selecting the right software for your litigation needs.
October: The next generation of litigation analytics
Finally, in last month’s article, I cover how litigation analytics software has evolved significantly since I last wrote about it in 2020. This software analyzes court records, decisions, filings, and other datasets to provide insights into judges, case results, attorneys, and more. It allows litigators develop data-backed strategies. Some companies have integrated generative AI that offers an intuitive conversational interface to enhance analytics functions. These integrations generate summaries, predict outcomes, and offer strategic recommendations based upon historical trends. Using this information, legal teams can identify patterns in rulings, forecast motion success and optimize case strategies.
Reflecting on 2024, looking ahead
Reflecting on the past year, legal tech’s rapid evolution was driven by the integration of generative AI combined with the steady refinement of core practice management tools. This year had remarkable innovation and significant growing pains, as firms balanced the appeal of cutting-edge technologies with the realities of ethical implementation.
Looking ahead, the momentum from 2024 offers a strong foundation for further innovation. Legal professionals who are open-minded and strategic in their approach to emerging technologies will be the most successful. Whether through AI-driven analytics, enhanced case management systems or a blend of both, the opportunities to streamline workflows and provide superior client service have never been greater.
Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York-based attorney, author and journalist, and she is the principal legal insight strategist at MyCase, a company that offers legal practice management software for small firms. She is a nationally recognized author and co-author, both published by American Bar Association. She has written hundreds of articles and regular columns for ABAJournal.com, Above the Law and other publications. She also speaks at conferences about the intersection of law with emerging technologies. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @nikiblack, or she can be reached at
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This column reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily the views of the ABA Journal–or the American Bar Association.
