MTC: Why Every Law Firm Should Invest in AI Training: The Case for Effective, Ethical, and Efficient Practice Transformation

/ The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page/

The legal industry is facing a pivotal moment as artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms the way lawyers handle everything from research to document review. Yet, a recent Google study underscores a critical truth: the real value of AI is unlocked only when law firms invest in training their professionals to use these tools effectively, ethically, and efficiently. According to Google’s pilot program, workers who received just a few hours of AI training reclaimed an average of 122 hours per year-time that translates directly into cost savings and reduced stress for legal professionals. For law firms, this is not just an opportunity; it’s a necessity for staying competitive in a fast-evolving marketplace.

The Google Study: Training Unlocks Real AI Value

Google’s report, based on pilot programs across the UK, found that the economic impact of AI could reach £400 billion ($533 billion) if the workforce is properly trained. The key insight? Training is the catalyst. Workers who were given permission and basic instruction to use AI tools saw immediate productivity gains, with administrative tasks-often a major time sink for lawyers-becoming dramatically more manageable. This is not just about technology adoption; it’s about empowering professionals to confidently and competently use AI in their daily workflow.

Empirical Evidence: AI Boosts Legal Work Quality and Efficiency

📊 Improve your firm’s success by teaching lawyers to be Competent and confident in the use of legal leader teaches AI tools that boost firm success.

Skepticism about AI’s reliability persists, especially in a field as high-stakes as law. However, a landmark study involving law students using advanced AI tools (like OpenAI’s o1-preview and Vincent AI) found that AI improved attorney efficiency by up to 140% and the quality of legal work by as much as 28%. These gains were particularly pronounced in complex tasks such as drafting persuasive letters or analyzing complaints. The study’s conclusion is clear: AI, when used properly, consistently elevates both the speed and quality of legal work.

The Real Roadblock: Training, Not Technology

Despite these benefits, many lawyers remain hesitant to use AI, often because they lack the training or “permission to prompt.” Google’s study found that two-thirds of workers-especially those less familiar with technology-had never used generative AI at work. The solution is straightforward: law firms must invest in structured, ongoing AI education. A few hours of targeted training can double adoption rates and unlock exponential returns in efficiency and morale.

Legal AI Tools: What’s Available Now

The landscape of legal AI tools is rich and growing. Here are some of the most impactful platforms and programs, each offering unique benefits for law firms ready to take the leap:

  • Clio Duo: Integrates AI into practice management, automating time tracking, billing, and client communications.

  • CoCounsel by Casetext: Offers AI-powered legal research, document review, deposition preparation, and contract analysis.

  • Harvey AI: Delivers generative AI solutions for drafting, research, and summarization tailored to legal workflows.

  • Lexis+ AI, Westlaw Precision AI, and vLex’s Vincent AI: These platforms leverage advanced natural language processing to enhance legal research, with features like Shepard’s integration, KeyCite, and user-driven customization.

  • Kira Systems: Specializes in contract review and analysis, using machine learning to extract and organize key information.

  • ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot: General-purpose AI tools that, with proper prompt engineering, can assist with drafting, summarizing, and brainstorming legal documents.

Training Programs for Lawyers: Building AI Competency

🤖 AI-powered future: teach lawyers how to work smarter using legal tech tools.

A growing number of educational resources are designed specifically for legal professionals:

Why Training Pays Off: Efficiency, Ethics, and Peace of Mind

Empower lawyers with AI training for ethical, efficient practice!

Investing in AI training isn’t just about saving time-it’s about doing better work and avoiding costly mistakes. Properly trained lawyers can:

  • Streamline document review and e-discovery, reducing billable hours lost to repetitive tasks.

  • Improve legal research accuracy and speed, ensuring no precedent is overlooked.

  • Enhance contract analysis, identifying risks and opportunities more quickly.

  • Maintain ethical standards by understanding AI’s limitations, such as hallucinations or bias, and knowing how to verify AI-generated results.

  • Increase client satisfaction by delivering faster, more accurate, and more transparent legal services.

The up-front investment in training-whether through formal courses, in-house workshops, or self-paced online modules-pays for itself many times over. Firms that prioritize ongoing education see reduced stress, improved morale, and a culture of innovation that attracts both clients and top talent.

Stay Ahead: The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page and Tech-Savvy Saturdays

For those ready to take the next step, resources like The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page and The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page Podcastoffer a wealth of practical tips, reviews, and tutorials on leveraging technology in legal practice. Don’t miss Tech-Savvy Saturdays-monthly sessions where attorneys from around the world discuss the latest in legal tech, share challenges, and highlight innovative tools. These free events are an ideal way to stay current, ask questions, and build a tech-forward legal practice.

Ready to future-proof your practice? Bookmark 📑 “The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page” 📝 , subscribe to "The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page Podcast" 🎙️ wherever you get your podcast feeds, and join us for the next the "Tech-Savvy Saturdays!"

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Ready to future-proof your practice? Bookmark 📑 “The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page” 📝 , subscribe to "The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page Podcast" 🎙️ wherever you get your podcast feeds, and join us for the next the "Tech-Savvy Saturdays!" 🎉

Final Thoughts

The message is clear: AI is not a threat to legal expertise-it’s a tool that, when used properly, amplifies what lawyers do best. But the key to unlocking AI’s full potential is training: investing a little time and money now to save much more in the long run. Law firms that make AI education a priority will not only save hours and dollars but will also deliver better outcomes for their clients and greater peace of mind for their teams.

Stay tuned to The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page and The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page Podcast for more insights, practical guides, and invitations to our next Tech-Savvy Saturdays. The future of law is here-make sure your firm is ready to lead it.

🪙 My Two Cents: Unlocking Legal Tech 🔓⚖️ How Attending LPM Conferences 📅 Shapes the Future of Law Practice! 🚀

/ The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page/

As the Tech-Savvy Lawyer Blogger and podcaster, I regularly attend Law Practice Management (LPM) software conferences to stay at the forefront of legal technology trends. My recent experience at the 2024 LEX Summit, Filevine's user conference, highlighted why these events are crucial not just for me, but for all attorneys, regardless of their current LPM solution.

Why Attorneys Should Attend LPM Conferences

Attending LPM conferences offers significant benefits for lawyers, whether they're current users of a specific product or considering alternatives:

For Current Users:

Your legal tech ambassador in salt lake city, utah for filevine’s 2024 lex summit!

  • Gain deeper knowledge of their LPM software

  • Learn about new features and how to leverage them effectively

  • Network with other users to share best practices

  • Provide feedback directly to developers

For Those Using Competitor Products:

  • Evaluate if their current LPM is meeting their needs

  • Explore alternative solutions in a hands-on environment

  • Compare features across different platforms

  • Assess potential ROI of switching to a new system

LEX Summit 2024 Highlights

The 2024 LEX Summit, held from September 8-10 in Salt Lake City, Utah, showcased several exciting announcements from Filevine over the past year, including:

Deposition Assistant:

Filevine announced a soon-to-be-released Depo CoPilot application that will “transform the way you do depositions.”  Depo CoPilot is an AI-powered assistant that promises to revolutionize the deposition process for litigation attorneys. This innovative tool acts as a virtual second chair, providing real-time transcription, analysis, and support during depositions. Depo CoPilot empowers attorneys to capture critical information, identify discrepancies in witness testimony, and stay on track with pre-defined goals. The AI assistant can even recommend follow-up questions based on the deposition content, ensuring a thorough exploration of every line of questioning. Compatible with both in-person and virtual depositions, Depo CoPilot works seamlessly with popular video conferencing platforms. Interested individuals can join a waitlist at www.depocopilot.com.

Document Management System (DMS):

Docs by Filevine is a groundbreaking standalone DMS launched by Filevine to challenge established providers like iManage and NetDocuments. This innovative product offers unlimited storage at a flat rate, making it the first and only DMS on the market to do so while providing advanced features such as AI-powered OCR, e-signatures, and robust security at a significantly lower cost than competitors. Docs by Filevine includes a comprehensive suite of tools, including project activity feed, enhanced OCR capabilities, contact management, task management, email integration, and AI Document Review.

Streamlined Legal Billing and Payment:

Time, Billing and Payments by Filevine creates a seamless end-to-end workflow for law firms, allowing them to perform timekeeping, create and send invoices, and process payments all within a single platform. The system supports various fee agreements, including contingency, hourly, and flat fees, and accepts multiple payment methods such as ACH, credit, and debit cards. 

Ryan Anderson, Filevine's Founder and CEO, emphasized the company's vision of providing a unified software solution that integrates all aspects of law firm operations, moving beyond the limitations of "point solutions" to offer comprehensive tools for managing cases, documents and time. He compared his vision for Filevine with the introduction of Apple’s first iPhone. Steve Jobs recognized that people wanted a device to work as a phone, music player, and web browser, whether the public was aware of it or not. Through Filevine, Ryan is attempting to provide lawyers with a “single pane of glass” that provides the legal community with everything it needs.

The Value of Continuous Education in Legal Tech

Attending these conferences is crucial for my continuous education in legal technology, and the same holds true for all legal professionals. The legal industry is rapidly evolving, with 55% of firms expected to adopt AI for legal research in 2024. By participating in events like LEX Summit, attorneys can:

  • Stay informed about emerging trends in legal technology

  • Understand how AI and automation are transforming law practice

  • Explore ethical considerations surrounding new technologies

  • Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools

Academy Award and Tony Nominated Jake Gyllenhall, star of Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent headlined filevine’s 2024 lex summit conference!

Moreover, these conferences offer unparalleled networking opportunities - this year’s conference had over 1,000 legal professionals in attendance. Connecting with other legal professionals, technology vendors, and industry experts allows attendees to gain diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the legal industry. And as an added bonus, we got to see and hear live Academy Award and Tony Nominated Jake Gyllenhall, star of Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent!

The Evolving Legal Technology Landscape

The legal technology landscape is evolving rapidly, with new trends emerging constantly. The integration of AI and automation into case management systems is transforming how law firms operate. By attending conferences like the LEX Summit, I can stay ahead of these trends and provide my audience with timely, accurate information on how to leverage technology to improve their practice.

Events like LEX Summit also offer hands-on workshops, such as Filevine's Basecamp, which provide immersive training experiences. These sessions help attendees fully understand the capabilities of different LPM systems, which is invaluable when selecting and implementing the right technology for their firms.

My Final Thoughts

Whether you're a devoted user of a particular LPM or exploring alternatives, attending conferences like LEX Summit is invaluable. Attending these events provide a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of legal technology, evaluate your current tools, and explore new solutions that could transform your practice.

As the Tech-Savvy Lawyer Blogger and Podcaster, my attendance at these conferences allows me to continue educating myself and sharing insights, helping legal professionals navigate the complex world of legal technology and harness its power to enhance their practice. For those in the legal field, staying informed and embracing innovation allows attorneys, legal staff, and judges to position themselves at the forefront of the evolving legal landscape. This proactive approach ultimately leads to better client service and more efficient legal practices.

MTC

Happy Lawyering!

CLIO Cloud Conference 2023 Introduction Report – Starting at the top with CLIO's CEO Jack Newton!

/ The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page/

CLIO CEO Jack Newton welcomes thousands of attendees both in person and virtual to 2023 clio cloud conference!

Jack Newton, CEO of CLIO, started off the two-day Clio Cloud Conference 2023, welcoming its attendees. The conference was clearly not going to be a humdrum CLE with monotonous presentations. The opening was livelier but as well coordinated as an Apple product release event! I believe there were over four thousand (4,000) attendees, with well over two thousand (2,000) in person. They were excited, energetic, and ready to learn!

thousands attend clio con 2023 both in person and online!

Jack welcomed the audience. He shared the story of how CLIO Con has existed for over a decade. Their focus has been on the customer – helping lawyers recapture more time through the ease of a Lawyer Practice Management (LPM) Program. CLIO's goal is to make the administration of a law practice secondary so that lawyers can focus more time on what they are trained for – the practice of law. Jack highlighted CLIO's use of computer automation, software integration with third-party software, and, yes, artificial intelligence.

AI gives attorneys the opportunity to be more human!

Some of the highlights presented at the opening include "CLIO File," which allows customers to file pleadings directly into a court through CLIO. Google Local Service Ads for CLIO allows its customers to "[o]nly pay when a potential lead contacts you through the ad." “Attorney Share” in CLIO for Co-Counsel lets customers share files and folders with co-counsel or even opposing counsel. Although there were many more features discussed (including Automated Workflows, Matter Stages – "are Kanban-style boards that you can use to visualize and track matter progress in Clio Manage," improved e-mail integration with Outlook and Gmail, and many more features!), a key product announcement of great interest was CLIO Duo.

CLIO Duo is an artificial intelligence program baked into CLIO to help its customers "... unlock the potential of their own data, helping them to become even more effective business owners, and drive better outcomes for their [customers]." The first release, with a target date of 2024, will provide CLIO customers with the following:

“Embracing ai is a moral imperative for legal profressionals.”

  • Personalized recommendations to help prioritize efforts for maximum task completion and work efficiency;

  • Reminder prompts for pending bill approvals and overdue tasks;

  • Bill generation based on activities related to a specific client;

  • Document summarization and generation of simple documents;

  • Matter overviews for improved client communications;

  • Conversations with Duo to gain insights on the firm's business performance or to better understand Clio's product capabilities.

CLIO's proprietary AI technology is built on a foundation of privacy and security of its customer's client data. Therefore, lawyers using CLIO's AI should feel at ease knowing their data is protected from the outside world.

my 2023 clio con press pass!

CLIO's focus is on its customers. But this does not mean CLIO’s vision is myopically focused on lawyers. It also considers the viewpoint of its customers' clients. "CLIO Clients" is now offered in Spanish. Clients can pay their bills with Apple Pay and Google Pay. CLIO has enhanced customer-client communications with text message and reminder options. CLIO’s platform aims to make communications, case updates, and payments seamless between its customers and their clients. This kind of automation allows attorneys to recapture time and focus on the legal work they are hired to do - practice law.

Clio is evolving from just a general legal management platform to cater to specific legal practice areas. Jack revealed that Legal Aid and Personal Injury are the first two areas. I recommend potential users to explore and evaluate the new LPM or a similar Client Relations Management (CRM) platform before transitioning to it.

The goal of an attorney tech show or conference should be creating a venue to help us find the right technology for our firm or practice. Jack notes that although you can’t create more time, you can recapture more time by working efficiently. And that is what lawyers should leave with from attending any legal tech show. This year's attendees (and the general public) can leave with CLIO's 2023 Legal Trends Report - packed rich with "... valuable insights that can help you navigate the rapidly changing landscape of the legal world."

Team Clio Enthusiastically Launches CLIO Con 2023!

I'll comment next week on whether I think CLIO hit the mark. The people at CLIO seem to have succeeded already with its very informative and detailed opening. Stay tuned!