Legal AI adoption: How law firms and legal departments achieve time savings and revenue growth

The accelerating adoption of AI  across the legal sector has become undeniable. A substantial majority (92%) of legal professionals surveyed now utilize at least one AI tool in their daily work. It reflects a dramatic shift from previous years when adoption was more limited.

AI contract review & document review – automating routine tasks

These AI tools are automating routine processes and enabling legal professionals to focus on higher-value strategic work. According to the Future Ready Lawyer Survey, satisfaction with AI tool performance is high, with four-in-five survey participants agreeing that AI tools meet their expectations.

Licia Garotti, Partner at PedersoliGattai Law Firm, cited an “80/20 reversal” where lawyers will spend 80% of their time analyzing rather than gathering information. “ Instead of replacing lawyers, AI tools that demonstrate a significant increase in productivity (think document review) allow lawyers to move from routine work to high-value strategic advice,” she said.: 

This increased efficiency may already be translating into financial gains, with 32% of legal professionals surveyed attributing an 11%–20% increase in revenue to their use of AI.

Ethical frameworks and AI risk management in legal practice

With more than 90% of legal professionals  now using at least one AI tool, many recognize that there are complexities associated with AI adoption that require careful consideration.

The top challenges to further AI implementation are ethical concerns related to AI and data privacy (39%), inadequate training (39%), and resistance to change (35%). Advanced cybersecurity and privacy-enhancing technologies are expected to be highly relevant over the next three years as organizations seek to protect sensitive information and maintain client trust.

“As AI takes over simpler legal tasks, reducing junior roles, firms must ensure traditional legal skills are not lost. Human oversight remains essential: AI outputs must be reviewed through sound legal reasoning and ethical judgment by a human in — or at least on — the loop”, said Professor Frauke Rostalski, legal scholar and author.

Legal AI integration

Measurable gains in efficiency and revenue suggest that AI is making its impact felt on the practice of law. However, organizations determined to maximize their investments must be prepared to address AI holistically, especially as geopolitical tensions and evolving regulatory frameworks drive demand for specialized legal expertise.

The future-ready legal organization will not be defined solely by technology. Instead, law firms and corporate legal departments that uphold ethical practice, demonstrate resilience in the face of change, and commit to the ongoing development of their people will be best positioned to thrive in the evolving legal landscape.

To read the full legal industry AI analysis, download the 2026 Wolters Kluwer Future Ready Lawyer Survey Report >>