5 questions in-house counsel are asking about legal AI

Written by Ananya Mankoo, Junior Legal Specialist at Robin AI.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to bring major changes to how legal services are delivered.

For in-house legal teams, the promise is clear: AI can take over repetitive, time-consuming tasks, freeing up professionals to focus on high-value work, manage risks more effectively, and streamline operations. 

This isn't about replacing legal professionals - it's about empowering them. The most successful teams will be those who approach AI not as a replacement, but as a powerful collaborator.

But how can you use AI in ways that truly deliver value? How do you take advantage of the possibilities without being overwhelmed by the implementation and security challenges? This blog answers 5 questions in-house counsel are asking about Legal AI.

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1. What are the main use cases?

The goal is to pinpoint real-world solutions that make a difference. Of the wide range of tasks legal departments deal with, the best fits for today’s cutting edge legal AI are contracts and legal research.

Contract Review and Management

Contracts are the lifeblood of business operations, and they can suck the life out of legal teams. Instead of spending days poring over clauses, spotting risks, ensuring everything aligns with company policies, and flagging any red flags, AI radically speeds up the first stage of these checks.

How AI is Making a Difference:

• Faster Reviews of vast volumes of contracts 
• Risk Identification: It can flag potentially risky clauses, like unfavourable liability terms, tricky indemnities, or non-standard jurisdiction clauses.
• Support for Negotiation: Some AI tools even go a step further by suggesting alternative wording or identifying areas that could lead to negotiation disputes.

Humans still need to check AI suggestions, but automating the first stage frees legal team to focus on high-value deals or disputes.

Legal Research

Digging through case law, regulations, and precedents to support your organization’s legal position is traditionally time intensive. But AI doesn’t sleep — it can scan massive legal libraries, highlight relevant results based on context, and even provide summaries of case law or new regulations.

Here is How AI Helps:

• Speeding Up Research: Scroll databases and cases in seconds
• Contextual Analysis: Surface insights for quick review ‍
• Staying Current: Monitor for changes in regulation, so you can focus on applying those updates to strategy or business decisions.

2. How do I build enthusiasm in my team for exploring new ways of working?

One of the big questions we keep hearing from in-house counsel is this: “How do we get our teams excited about working differently?” It’s a fair question. Any change can be intimidating, especially if it leads team members to worry about their job.

Legal AI is much more likely to change how we work, rather than replace any specific legal role. Let me walk you through some ideas.

First, start with the why: Show your team the bigger picture. Legal AI helps every legal professional focus on the work that motivated them to study law in the first place: the complex, strategic, interesting parts of their job. And it helps teams achieve a work-life balance. You don’t have to sacrifice friends and family for your work when AI is used properly. 

Next, don’t try to boil the ocean: Start small. Pick one or two areas where AI can deliver a quick win. Maybe it is automating document review or predicting litigation outcomes. Tangible benefits are a great motivator. You’re showing, not just telling.

Build a culture of learning: Offer training and make it accessible. Workshops, webinars or quick tutorials. The goal is to demystify AI, so that your colleagues actually use it. And let them ask questions and voice concerns: it’s a great way to bring more relevant AI tools to your team. 

And listen, resistance is expected: If there are skeptics, or people who feel like they’re being asked to fix something that isn’t broken, meet that resistance with empathy. Be clear about what AI can and cannot do. It’s not replacing expertise and judgement. It is a partner, not a replacement.

Find your champions: I’ve found there is always someone on the team who is curious about tech and who likes trying new things. Get them involved early, and encourage them to share their experiences. Organic enthusiasm is much more effective than leadership just handing down a directive.

Finally, tie it back to your team's goals: How does this help them? How does it make their lives easier? Whether it’s time or money saved, or simply better results for your main stakeholders, make a real effort to put that down in writing. 

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3. What are the key considerations when buying legal AI?

So, you’re ready to invest in legal AI — but with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one? You’re better off asking tough questions before you buy.

Start with Your Use Case: Be clear on what problem you’re solving. Is it contract review, compliance monitoring, or legal research? Focus on tools designed for your specific needs.

Prioritise User-Friendliness: The best AI tools are intuitive and integrate seamlessly with your existing workflows. If it’s hard to use, your team won’t adopt it.

Check Accuracy and Reliability: Ask vendors about the tool’s performance in legal-specific tasks. Look for case studies or client references to confirm it delivers results.

Ensure Security and Compliance: Your legal data is sensitive. Make sure the tool complies with regulations like GDPR or CCPA and offers strong security features like encryption. Good legal AI providers have clear documentation around these security measures.

Think About Scalability: Can the tool grow with your organisation? And does it integrate well with your current systems?

Assess Cost vs. Value: Don’t just look at the sticker price — consider the ROI. What are the indirect benefits, like reduced reliance or outside counsel, or more time to reduce backlogs?  Is it a usage-based price? Or will you be stuck paying the same price if few people use the tool? ‍

Check Vendor Support: Implementation is easier with strong vendor support and training. Make sure help is readily available.

Look for Customisation: Can the tool be tailored to your team’s unique processes? The more flexible it is, the better it will fit your needs.

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4. How do I roll this out effectively in my team?

There’s more work to do after you buy the best AI tool for your team, but it’s manageable if you plan. 

1. Start with a Clear Vision and involve your team early

Focus on the practical benefits, and involve your team early so that using AI does not feel like an order from the top.

2. Pilot Before Full Deployment

Begin with a small, manageable use case—like a contract review or legal research. A pilot project helps demonstrate the tool’s value and lets you iron out any issues 

3. Provide Hands-On Training and appoint champions

Invest in training to help your team feel confident using the tool, and connect them with your internal advocates 

4. Monitor and Adapt

Collect feedback and measure the tool’s impact — and keep notes on the quick wins, so that you can celebrate them properly and boost morale. 

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5. What are the main risks?

Don’t forget to pay attention to ongoing risks around AI use.

Human verification of AI suggestions is essential. Make it clear that responsibility always lies with the person reviewing or drafting a given document. 

Pay attention to the terms and conditions offered with AI tools. Changing how your confidential information is handled could have impacts on you and your stakeholders. 

And make a plan to ensure your junior staff gain or maintain a broad range of legal skills: don’t let over-reliance on AI damage your talent pipeline. 

Overall, you can be a big winner from using AI, if you give that challenge thoughtful consideration 

By starting small, involving your team early, and prioritising tools that integrate into your existing workflows, you will be on the path to success. 

By engaging with these tools as they evolve, you won’t be caught off guard — you’ll be well-placed to use them to deliver smarter, more agile legal teams.

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