You Say You Want a Revolution

In 1968, The Beatles released their hit song, “Revolution.” It was about the massive social and political upheaval of the time, and the lyrics reflected the overriding sense that the world had changed and there was no turning back. 

There’s no doubt that in 2025, we find ourselves living through another revolution—albeit one of a totally different kind. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is upon us and is transforming the way we think, work, and live. 

The technology has already impacted a wide range of industries, from healthcare and education to manufacturing and finance. And the legal industry is no exception.  

Today, the most forward-thinking law firms and in-house legal departments are no longer just talking about AI—they're actively implementing it. For them, AI is not some vague, futuristic concept, but a concrete reality. 

This blog explores the benefits of AI in the practice of law and the exciting results that it’s yielded, highlighting the firms and corporations that are leading the charge. 

You Say You Got a Real Solution: Efficiency, Cost, and Competitive Edge 

What’s motivated law firms to get on board with AI? 

The drivers behind their adoption are multifaceted. 

Fundamentally, law firms face increasing pressure to deliver more value for less, while in-house teams are constantly challenged to manage growing workloads with limited resources. AI offers a compelling solution, promising: 

• Increased Efficiency: Automating repetitive tasks frees up legal professionals to focus on higher-value work, like strategic counsel and complex problem-solving. 

• Reduced Costs: Streamlining processes and minimizing manual errors leads to notable cost savings. 

• Enhanced Accuracy: AI-powered tools can reduce human error in tasks like document review and legal research, producing more accurate and reliable outcomes. 

• Improved Client Service: Faster turnaround times and more insightful analysis contribute to a better client experience. 

• Competitive Advantage: Firms and departments that effectively leverage AI gain a significant edge in the market. 

For any law firm or corporation in today's economy, these potential results are impossible to ignore. 

The Early Adopters and Their Successes 

While the legal industry is still in the early stages of AI adoption, large law firms and in-house teams are already seeing tangible benefits as they implement AI tools in several key areas. 

DLA Piper drives document review 

Firms are using AI-powered document review platforms to drastically reduce the time and cost associated with e-discovery and due diligence. What once took weeks or months can now be accomplished in days or even hours. 

For example, DLA Piper has publicly discussed its use of AI for document review, speeding up the process and allowing lawyers to focus on more strategic aspects of litigation. The firm has teamed up with AI developer C3 to create a program which reduces the time required for a given due diligence project by 80%—an undeniable feat. 

Frank Ryan, global co-chair and co-chief executive at DLA Piper, has summarized his philosophy as follows: “We come at AI saying: ‘Why don’t we be at the epicentre of this technology?’” 

Vodafone ventures into contract management 

In-house teams are leveraging AI to automate contract drafting, review, and analysis, speeding up contract cycles and reducing the risk of errors. This allows legal professionals to focus on more strategic aspects of contract negotiation. 

The telecom giant Vodafone has recently enhanced its contract management processes through a partnership with SirionLabs, which provides AI-powered contract lifecycle management (CLM) services. After implementing Sirion’s CLM solution, Vodafone achieved an 80% reduction in supplier disputes and a 60% decrease in manual effort across its global operations. 

Moreover, after rolling out Microsoft 365 Copilot last year, Vodafone’s legal and compliance team has praised the AI software. They claim that it’s “supercharged” their ability to draft, review, renegotiate, and renew contracts. Impressively, drafting a new contract took an hour less than usual. 

In the words of Vodafone’s Chief Technology Officer, Scott Petty: “It’s not about doing more work, it’s about doing better quality work and being more customer-focused.” 

Baker McKenzie leads in legal research 

AI-driven legal research tools are empowering lawyers to swiftly and accurately locate relevant case law, statutes, and regulations, resulting in more informed and strategic legal decisions. Firms like Baker McKenzie have incorporated AI research platforms into their operations, strengthening their ability to offer thorough and timely legal counsel. 

According to the firm’s global chair, Milton Cheng: “There is no doubt that artificial intelligence will play an even more critical role in our business moving forward. Now is the right moment to invest in developing our capabilities and skills to apply this technology both internally and externally, benefiting our clients, our business, and our communities.” 

Penningtons positions itself in predictive analytics 

Some firms are exploring the use of AI to forecast the potential outcomes of litigation, enabling them to offer more precise and strategic counsel to clients. While not widely publicized, several firms are quietly testing these tools, aware of the competitive advantage they may offer. 

In the UK, the internationally ranked firm Penningtons Manches Cooper has teamed up with Solomonic, a litigation data and analytics platform. This partnership has allowed Penningtons to optimize case strategies, improve decision-making, and achieve better results for clients. 

As Darryl Kennard, Partner in the Shipping Law team, shared: “The insights provided have been invaluable in active disputes. Having access to detailed analytics gives us a distinct advantage, helping us make more informed decisions throughout the course of a matter.” 

Don’t You Know It’s Gonna Be Alright: Considerations for Smaller Firms and Boutiques 

While large law firms and corporations are diving headfirst into the AI revolution, smaller outfits and boutique firms have been more cautious in their approach to the new technology. There are valid reasons for their hesitation. These include: 

• Data Security and Privacy: Protecting sensitive client data is paramount. Law firms need to ensure that the AI complies with all relevant regulations. 

• Ethical Considerations: The use of AI in legal decision-making raises ethical questions that need to be addressed. Transparency and accountability are crucial. 

• Integration with Existing Systems: Integrating AI tools with existing legal technology infrastructure can be complex and require substantial investment. 

Although these concerns are legitimate, they can be effectively managed with proper planning and guidance. However, they should not be used as justification for avoiding AI adoption altogether. As shown in the case studies above, AI offers potential to strengthen and augment the legal profession in the years ahead. These examples can provide valuable insights for boutique firms and smaller organizations that have yet to embrace the technology. If they wait too long, they risk falling behind the competition. 

This is especially true in the fast-moving field of trademark law. Trademark clearance, where AI has proven to be instrumental in automating and refining various stages of the trademark search and analysis process. AI enables quicker, more precise, and data-driven decisions for protecting and enforcing trademarks, greatly enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the clearance procedure.  

The legal industry stands on the brink of a significant transformation. As AI technology advances, we can anticipate even more groundbreaking applications within the legal sector. Firms are harnessing AI to build a more efficient, effective, and client-focused practice. The trend is undeniable: AI is no longer a distant vision, but a present-day reality reshaping the legal profession.