In our latest research study, Anidjar & Levine analyzed how artificial intelligence (AI) is quietly rewriting the rules of courtroom advocacy. The study examined adoption rates, practical applications, and the risks of AI use in law firms, legal departments, and even judicial settings.
Drawing from recent statistics published by Ironclad, Thomson Reuters, Forbes, and the American Bar Association, the findings show a profession undergoing rapid transformation.
AI is no longer a theoretical tool. It is influencing how legal work is done, how cases are argued, and how the justice system functions. While efficiency and cost savings are driving adoption, concerns about accuracy, ethics, and public trust remain central to the conversation.
Current Adoption of AI in Legal Services
Nearly three-quarters of lawyers say they plan to use AI for document review, memo writing, and legal research in the coming years. Most law firms are already using AI in some form, and its role continues to expand across legal practice areas.
Our findings in a recent study of statistics by WorldMetrics and Ironclad highlight the depth of this integration:
- 70% of law firms have adopted at least one form of legal technology.
- AI is widely used for legal research, document review, and drafting support.
- 64% of legal professionals believe AI will significantly affect their workflow within five years.
One example of this shift is Capita AI Legal Services, which provides AI-powered client intake, research, and case triage. This kind of legal assistant shows how AI can act as a partner in legal work, handling repetitive tasks so attorneys can focus on strategy and advocacy.
| GenAI Use Case | % of Legal Use Cases in 2024 | % of Legal Use Cases in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Document Review | 74% | 77% |
| Legal Research | 73% | 74% |
| Document Summarization | 72% | 74% |
| Brief or Memo Drafting | 59% | 59% |
| Contract Drafting | 51% | 58% |
| Correspondence Drafting | 50% | 50% |
Benefits and Efficiency Gains
Lawyers see time savings and efficiency as the biggest benefits of AI. Our findings in a recent study of statistics by the 2024 Artificial Intelligence TechReport show that 54.4% of legal professionals list time savings as the top advantage.
AI-driven tools are providing:
- Faster review of contracts, discovery materials, and case law
- Streamlined research through specialized databases
- Quick generation of first-draft correspondence and internal memoranda
For many firms, these benefits mean more resources can be devoted to complex legal reasoning and client relationships, while routine work is completed faster and at lower cost.
Risks and Accuracy Concerns
The advantages of AI come with clear limitations. Accuracy, reliability, and data privacy are the top concerns with legal AI, and the “hallucination risk” can have serious consequences when errors go undetected.
Our findings in a recent study of statistics by the 2024 Artificial Intelligence TechReport and Stanford HAI show:
- 74.7% of legal professionals rank accuracy as their primary concern.
- 56.3% cite reliability issues, while 47.2% worry about data privacy.
- AI hallucination rates range from 58% to 82% without domain-specific training.
- Westlaw AI hallucinated in 34% of tests.
- Lexis+ AI, even with hallucination-reducing RAG technology, still showed error rates above 17%.
Some lawyers have been sanctioned for relying on faulty AI outputs. In one case, a New York attorney was disciplined for citing fictitious case law generated by ChatGPT. Michael Cohen faced similar criticism after submitting false AI-generated citations. These examples show how a single AI error can undermine a case.
Judicial and Legislative Oversight
Judges are starting to set rules for how attorneys must disclose AI use. In May 2024, over 25 federal judges required disclosure of AI assistance in filings. By July 2025, that number had grown to more than 40.
At the state level, lawmakers are scrambling to catch up to the technology. Bar associations in California, New York, and Florida have issued guidance requiring attorney supervision of AI-generated work. At least eight U.S. states are drafting or have passed laws regulating AI in legal services, often focusing on consumer protection and malpractice liability.
Courts are also exploring AI’s potential in low-stakes or document-based hearings. Judges have used AI for administrative orders, evidence summaries, and case timelines, but public trust and legal culture remain major barriers to full courtroom integration.
Human Judgment and Ethical Boundaries
Where humans still win is in the application of judgment, ethics, and discretion. AI can process vast amounts of data and suggest outcomes, but it cannot fully evaluate the moral, social, and political dimensions of legal decisions.
Some legal scholars suggest that blind testing could help determine whether AI can match or exceed human reasoning. Until then, responsible AI use requires:
- Transparency in how AI is applied
- Oversight by licensed attorneys
- Continuous testing to ensure accuracy and fairness
Law firms must find the right balance between efficiency and ethical risk, using AI to support—not replace—human decision-making.
Public Perception and the Path Ahead
Clients expect lawyers to use AI, but many lawyers remain cautious. Our findings in a recent study of statistics by the Clio Trends Report show:
- 68% of clients under 45 expect their lawyers to use AI tools.
- Only 39% of lawyers believe AI improves client outcomes.
- 42% of clients say they would consider hiring a firm that advertises AI-assisted legal representation.
Bridging this gap will be critical for firms that want to remain competitive without compromising quality or ethics.
Final Findings
Our study shows that AI is already embedded in the daily work of many law firms and is beginning to influence courtroom processes. The benefits in efficiency and cost savings are clear, but they are matched by concerns over accuracy, reliability, and the preservation of human judgment.
These considerations apply across all practice areas, from corporate litigation to Florida personal injury lawyer services, where accuracy, trust, and client outcomes are paramount.
As lawmakers, judges, and bar associations work to create guardrails, the legal profession faces a pivotal moment. Those who integrate AI with transparency and ethical oversight will be best positioned to navigate this transformation, ensuring that technology serves justice rather than undermines it.
