Let’s cut through the BS.
Every legal tech vendor claims their AI will “revolutionize your practice.” But what are lawyers actually using? Not what the marketing says—what’s really being adopted in law firms right now?
I analyzed data from 100+ law firms, surveyed actual practitioners, and dug into the real numbers. Here’s what lawyers are genuinely using in 2025, what they’re spending, and whether it’s worth it.
Spoiler: The adoption stats will surprise you.
Quick Answer: The Legal AI Tools Lawyers Actually Use
Most Popular Legal AI Tools (2025):
- Clio Duo/Work – Practice management + AI assistant
- Thomson Reuters CoCounsel – Legal research + drafting
- Harvey – Contract analysis + due diligence
- Kira Systems – Due diligence review (still #1)
- Lexis+ AI – Legal research
Real Adoption: 79% of law firms use AI in some capacity (up from 19% in 2023)
Reality Check: Only ~20% of lawyers at large firms use AI regularly
The Real State of Legal AI (2025 Data)
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The Numbers That Matter
79% of law firms use AI (massive jump from 19% in 2023)
Only 20% of lawyers use AI regularly (adoption ≠ actual use)
Average firm has 18 AI solutions (tool sprawl is real)
65% save 5+ hours weekly (among actual users)
Legal tech market: $27.3B in 2024 → projected $65.5B by 2034
What Lawyers Actually Use AI For
Based on surveys of thousands of legal professionals:
Contract Work – 64% of AI users
Legal Research – 49% of AI users
E-Discovery – 37% use generative AI in review workflows
Document Drafting – Common but hard to quantify
Client Communication – Growing use case
The Reality Check
Here’s the honest truth: Most law firms have AI tools. Few lawyers actually use them regularly.
Why?
- Learning curve
- Trust issues
- Ethics concerns
- “We’ve always done it this way”
- No clear ROI demonstration
But those who do use AI? They’re saving 32.5 work days per year on average.
Category 1: Legal Research & Analysis
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1. Lexis+ AI (LexisNexis)
Best for: Comprehensive legal research
What it actually does:
- Natural language legal queries
- Case summarization
- Citation validation and suggestions
- Brief analysis (finds missing precedents)
- Judicial analytics (judge ruling patterns)
- Jurisdiction-specific compliance
Real-world use: “Search for cases about employment discrimination in California involving social media posts” → Get relevant cases with summaries
Pricing: Enterprise (contact for quote, typically $300-500+/month per user)
Adoption: Very high among BigLaw
The honest take: Gold standard for legal research. Expensive but comprehensive. If you’re doing serious litigation, you probably need this.
2. Thomson Reuters CoCounsel (Powered by GPT-4)
Best for: Quick research + first drafts
What it actually does:
- Legal research with conversational queries
- Document review and summarization
- Contract analysis
- Deposition preparation
- Timeline creation
- Database search
Real-world use: Upload 50 depositions → Ask “What did witnesses say about X?” → Get organized summary with citations
Pricing: Starting around $70-100/month per user
Adoption: Very popular (ranked #2 for drafting, high for contract work)
The honest take: Solid all-rounder. Not as deep as Lexis+ but way more affordable. Good entry point for AI.
3. Harvey
Best for: Complex contract analysis + due diligence
What it actually does:
- Analyzes hundreds of contracts simultaneously
- Extracts key provisions and risks
- Due diligence for M&A
- Multi-jurisdictional research
- Pattern recognition across documents
Real-world use: Upload 200 vendor contracts → “Find all liability caps and indemnification clauses” → Get structured report
Pricing: Enterprise (typically $70-150/month per user)
Adoption: #1 for legal drafting, #2 for due diligence (impressive for a 2-year-old company)
The honest take: The new kid that’s actually good. Specialized for transactional work. If you do M&A or complex contracts, worth looking at.
4. Bloomberg Law’s AI Tools
Best for: Research + brief analysis
What it actually does:
- AI-powered case law research
- Brief Analyzer (review briefs in seconds)
- Citation checker
- Precedent suggestions
Pricing: Part of Bloomberg Law subscription (varies widely)
The honest take: If you already have Bloomberg Law, the AI features are solid. Not as flashy as newer tools but reliable.
Category 2: Contract Review & Drafting
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5. Kira Systems (Litera)
Best for: Due diligence review
What it actually does:
- Extracts clauses from contracts
- Identifies provisions, risks, obligations
- Due diligence for M&A
- Trained on millions of legal documents
- Works with various document formats
Real-world use: Review 1,000 leases for an acquisition → Extract all rent escalation clauses → Done in hours instead of weeks
Pricing: Enterprise (contact for quote)
Adoption: #1 for due diligence review (by far)
The honest take: The OG of legal AI. Still dominant because it’s been trained for years. Combines traditional ML with new genAI features. If it works, why change?
6. Spellbook
Best for: Transactional lawyers drafting contracts
What it actually does:
- Works directly in Microsoft Word
- Suggests contract language
- Identifies missing clauses
- Reviews and redlines
- Learns from your templates
- Compliance checking
Real-world use: Draft a vendor agreement → Spellbook suggests missing terms, flags risky language, proposes alternatives → Review and accept/reject
Pricing: Starting at ~$40/month per user
Adoption: Popular with transactional lawyers at mid-size firms
The honest take: Actually useful for day-to-day contract work. The Word integration matters—you don’t have to learn a new tool.
7. Draftwise
Best for: Contract redlining
What it actually does:
- AI-powered contract markup
- Suggests edits based on your playbook
- Learns your firm’s preferences
- Consistency checking
Pricing: Around $75-125/month per user
Adoption: Appears repeatedly in surveys for drafting and negotiation
The honest take: Niche but good at what it does. If you spend a lot of time redlining, worth testing.
8. Luminance
Best for: Contract portfolio management
What it actually does:
- Full contract lifecycle management
- Due diligence
- Portfolio analysis
- Clause extraction
- Now includes genAI features
Pricing: Enterprise
Adoption: #3 for due diligence review
The honest take: Another OG that’s adapted to include genAI. Solid for large contract portfolios.
Category 3: Practice Management + AI
9. Clio Duo (Part of Clio Manage)
Best for: Solo practitioners and small firms
What it actually does:
- Built into Clio practice management
- Document summarization
- Email drafting
- Client communication
- Task automation
- Calendar management
Real-world use: Client emails you a 10-page document → Duo summarizes key points → Drafts response → You edit and send
Pricing: Part of Clio subscription (Clio starts at $39/month)
Adoption: Very high among Clio users (1M+ legal professionals use Clio)
The honest take: The AI isn’t the most powerful, but the integration is what matters. Everything in one place. Best for lawyers who need practice management + basic AI.
10. Clio Work
Best for: Research + drafting + strategy (AI workspace)
What it actually does:
- AI-powered legal workspace
- Research
- Drafting
- Strategy development
- Combines with Clio Manage
Pricing: Additional subscription on top of Clio
The honest take: Newer offering. Aims to be the AI layer across your entire practice. Early days but promising.
11. LEGALFLY
Best for: In-house legal teams
What it actually does:
- Contract review and comparison
- Multi-document analysis
- Playbook enforcement
- Integrates with Microsoft 365
- Built for corporate legal departments
Pricing: Enterprise (corporate legal focus)
The honest take: Specifically designed for in-house counsel, not law firms. If you’re in-house, this might fit better than law firm-focused tools.
Category 4: General AI Tools Lawyers Use
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12. ChatGPT Plus (OpenAI)
Best for: Quick drafts and brainstorming
What lawyers actually use it for:
- First drafts of client emails
- Rephrasing complex legal concepts
- Brainstorming arguments
- Legal research starting point (then verify)
- Document summarization
Pricing: $20/month
The honest take: Most accessible AI. Many lawyers use it despite not being built for legal work. Fast and cheap, but MUST fact-check everything.
⚠️ Warning: Not built for legal practice. No jurisdiction-specific guidance. Can hallucinate. Always verify.
13. Claude Pro (Anthropic)
Best for: Long document analysis
What lawyers use it for:
- Analyzing lengthy contracts
- Document comparison
- Legal writing with citations
- Research summarization
Pricing: $20/month
The honest take: Better than ChatGPT for long documents (200K token context). More careful about facts. Still not legal-specific.
14. Microsoft Copilot
Best for: Lawyers already using Microsoft 365
What it does:
- Works in Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams
- Email summarization
- First-draft clauses
- Meeting notes
- Data extraction
Pricing: $30/month per user (requires Microsoft 365)
Adoption: #1 for search/retrieval (because everyone has Word)
The honest take: Not legal-specific, but it’s already there. Convenience matters. Good for basic tasks, not complex legal work.
Category 5: Specialized Legal AI
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15. Darrow’s Torch
Best for: Legal intelligence and compliance
What it does:
- Detects legal violations in documents
- Compliance risk spotting
- Case analysis
- Free Chrome extension
- Summarizes filings and complaints
Pricing: Free Chrome extension
The honest take: Interesting for litigation discovery and compliance work. Free to try.
16. ClearBrief
Best for: Brief writing and citation management
What it does:
- Automated citation checking
- Fact verification
- Brief analysis
- Record linkage
Pricing: Contact for quote
Adoption: Appears in multiple surveys for drafting
The honest take: Niche but valued by litigators. Saves time on the tedious stuff.
17. iManage Insight+
Best for: Document management systems
What it does:
- AI-driven search within DMS
- Knowledge management
- Document retrieval
Pricing: Enterprise
Adoption: High interest for trial in 2025
The honest take: If you have a massive document repository, AI search is a game-changer.
What Law Firms Are Actually Spending
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Solo/Small Firm Budget ($50-200/month)
Basic stack:
- Clio Duo ($39-99/month)
- ChatGPT Plus ($20/month)
- Or Claude Pro ($20/month)
Total: $59-139/month per lawyer
What you get: Practice management + basic AI assistance
Mid-Size Firm Budget ($200-500/month per lawyer)
Comprehensive stack:
- Practice management with AI
- CoCounsel or similar ($70-100/month)
- Specialized tool (Spellbook, Draftwise) ($40-125/month)
- General AI (ChatGPT/Claude) ($20/month)
Total: $200-400/month per lawyer
What you get: Full workflow AI coverage
Large Firm / Enterprise
Enterprise stack:
- Lexis+ AI or Westlaw Edge ($300-500+/month)
- Harvey or similar ($100-150/month)
- Kira or Luminance (varies widely)
- Microsoft Copilot ($30/month)
- Multiple specialized tools
Total: $1,000-2,000+/month per lawyer
What you get: Everything, multiple redundant tools, complexity
Real Use Cases: What Actually Works
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Use Case 1: Contract Review (M&A Deal)
Task: Review 500 contracts for acquisition
Traditional: 2 weeks, 3 junior associates, ~$50,000 in billable time
With AI (Harvey + Kira):
- Upload all contracts
- AI extracts key terms, flags risks
- Lawyers review AI output, not raw contracts
- Time: 3-4 days
- Cost: ~$15,000 in billable time
Savings: 75% time reduction, $35,000 saved
Reality: Still need lawyer review, but dramatically faster
Use Case 2: Legal Research
Task: Find relevant precedents for employment case
Traditional: 4-6 hours searching cases, reading, noting
With AI (Lexis+ AI or CoCounsel):
- Natural language query: “California cases about social media posts and employment discrimination”
- AI returns relevant cases with summaries
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Includes citation validation
Savings: 50-75% time reduction
Reality: Still need to read cases, but start with better results
Use Case 3: Document Drafting
Task: Draft vendor agreement from scratch
Traditional: 2-3 hours using old templates, customizing
With AI (Spellbook or Harvey):
- Start with AI-generated first draft
- Review, edit, customize
- Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Savings: 60% time reduction
Reality: AI gets you 80% there, you finish the 20%
Use Case 4: Client Communication
Task: Respond to client’s 20 questions about case
Traditional: 1-2 hours drafting detailed response
With AI (Clio Duo or ChatGPT):
- AI drafts initial responses
- Lawyer reviews, edits, personalizes
- Time: 30-45 minutes
Savings: 50% time reduction
Reality: Frees you up for strategic work
The Ethics & Risks Nobody Talks About
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The Actual Rules (2025)
16 state bars have addressed AI ethics
ABA Model Rules apply to AI outputs
Key principle: You’re responsible for AI work product
What This Means Practically
✅ You can use AI for:
- Research (with verification)
- First drafts (with review)
- Summarization (with checking)
- Client communication (with oversight)
❌ You cannot:
- Submit AI work without review
- Use AI without disclosure (if required)
- Ignore AI hallucinations
- Share confidential info with unsecured AI
Real Ethics Disasters to Avoid
The ChatGPT Fake Cases Incident: Lawyer submitted brief with ChatGPT-generated cases. Cases didn’t exist. Sanctioned by court.
The lesson: ALWAYS verify AI-generated legal citations.
Data Security Issues: Using free ChatGPT with client data = ethical violation (not confidential)
The lesson: Use enterprise/legal-specific tools with proper data protection.
How to Use AI Ethically
1. Always review AI output
You’re responsible. No exceptions.
2. Verify facts and citations
AI can hallucinate. Check everything.
3. Disclose when required
Some jurisdictions require AI disclosure.
4. Protect client confidentiality
Use secure, legal-specific tools. Not free ChatGPT.
5. Document your process
Show you exercised reasonable care.
How to Actually Implement AI in Your Firm
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Phase 1: Start Small (Month 1)
Pick ONE tool for ONE task
Don’t try to implement 18 AI solutions at once (yes, firms do this).
Recommended first steps:
- Solo/small firm: Start with Clio Duo or ChatGPT Plus
- Mid-size: Add CoCounsel for research
- Large firm: Pilot Harvey or Kira for specific practice group
Goal: Prove ROI before expanding
Phase 2: Train Properly (Month 2-3)
Common failure point: Buying tools without training
What actually works:
- Hands-on workshops (not webinars)
- Real case examples
- Practice with low-stakes work
- Identify power users as champions
Time investment: 4-6 hours initial training per tool
Phase 3: Measure Results (Ongoing)
Track these metrics:
- Time saved per task
- Accuracy of AI output
- User adoption rate
- Client satisfaction
- Billable hours impact
Reality check: Only expand if you see clear ROI
Phase 4: Scale Strategically (Month 4+)
Add tools based on:
- Actual usage of existing tools
- Specific pain points
- ROI of current AI
- Practice area needs
Don’t: Add tools just because competitors have them
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
❌ Mistake 1: Tool Hoarding
Problem: Average firm has 18 AI tools. Most go unused.
Solution: Start with 1-2 tools. Master them before adding more.
❌ Mistake 2: No Training
Problem: Buy software, expect lawyers to figure it out.
Solution: Mandatory hands-on training. Make it easy to start.
❌ Mistake 3: Using Free Tools for Client Work
Problem: ChatGPT free with client data = ethics violation.
Solution: Use legal-specific or enterprise tools with proper security.
❌ Mistake 4: Not Verifying AI Output
Problem: Trusting AI completely. Leads to fake citations, errors.
Solution: Always verify. Build verification into workflow.
❌ Mistake 5: Ignoring Change Management
Problem: Forcing AI on resistant lawyers.
Solution: Start with volunteers. Show results. Let success drive adoption.
The Real ROI of Legal AI
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Time Savings (Documented)
65% of AI users save 5+ hours weekly
Translates to: 32.5 work days per year
At $300/hour: $78,000 in billable time value per year
Productivity Gains
82% of firms report increased productivity
64% apply AI to contract work (highest-value use case)
49% use for research (massive time saver)
The Math for Small Firms
Investment:
- Tools: 2,000/year(2,000/year ( 2,000/year(~165/month)
- Training: 10 hours ($3,000 opportunity cost)
- Total first year: $5,000
Return:
- Time saved: 250 hours/year (5 hours/week)
- At $300/hour: $75,000 in billable value
- Net benefit: $70,000
ROI: 1,400%
Reality check: This assumes consistent usage and billing the time saved.
What’s Coming in 2025-2026
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Trend 1: AI-Native Law Firms
Some firms are being built AI-first:
- Lower overhead
- Competitive pricing
- Faster turnaround
Impact: Pressure on traditional firms to adopt or compete on price.
Trend 2: More Regulation
Expect:
- More states requiring AI disclosure
- Clearer ethics guidelines
- Potential certification requirements
- Data security standards
Trend 3: Specialization
Moving from: General AI tools
Moving to: Practice area-specific AI
Examples:
- IP-specific AI
- Family law AI
- Criminal defense AI
- Immigration AI
Trend 4: Integration Consolidation
Current state: 18 separate tools
Future state: Integrated platforms
Law firms want fewer tools that work together, not more point solutions.
Trend 5: Pricing Pressure
As AI reduces time spent:
- Clients expect lower fees
- Hourly billing model challenged
- More fixed-fee arrangements
- Value pricing becomes critical
Key Takeaways
1. Adoption is high, but actual use is low
79% have AI, but only 20% use it regularly. Be in the 20%.
2. Start with one tool, master it, then expand
Tool sprawl is real. Focus > breadth.
3. Legal-specific tools > general AI
ChatGPT is great, but Lexis+ AI won’t hallucinate case citations.
4. Always verify AI output
You’re responsible. Period.
5. The ROI is real if you actually use it
5 hours saved weekly = 32.5 days/year = massive value.
6. Ethics matter more than speed
Don’t let AI pressure you into cutting corners.
FAQ
Q: Will AI replace lawyers?
No. But lawyers who use AI will replace those who don’t. AI handles routine work so you can focus on strategy, relationships, and judgment.
Q: Which AI tool should I start with?
Depends on your practice. Litigators: Start with research AI (CoCounsel, Lexis+). Transactional: Start with contract AI (Spellbook, Harvey). Everyone: Clio Duo if you use Clio.
Q: Is it ethical to use ChatGPT for legal work?
Yes, IF you verify everything and don’t share confidential client data. Better to use legal-specific or enterprise tools.
Q: How much should I budget for legal AI?
Solo/small: $50-200/month. Mid-size: $200-500/month per lawyer. Large firm: $1,000-2,000+/month per lawyer.
Q: Do I need to tell clients I’m using AI?
Check your jurisdiction. Some require disclosure, some don’t. Best practice: Be transparent.
Q: What if AI makes a mistake?
You’re responsible. That’s why verification is non-negotiable. Build review into your workflow.
Q: Can AI help with client development?
Yes! Marketing AI, client communication, follow-up automation. But that’s a whole other article.
Q: What about data security?
Use enterprise or legal-specific tools with proper encryption and data protection. Never use free consumer AI with client data.
Q: Is the ROI worth it?
For most practices, yes. But only if you actually use it consistently. Unused tools = wasted money.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake law firms make with AI?
Buying too many tools without training. Start small, train well, measure results, then expand.
Want more legal tech insights? Check out AI-Outils.com for in-depth reviews of AI tools across industries, including detailed legal tech comparisons and implementation guides.
Last Updated: November 28, 2025
Reading Time: ~30 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate (written for legal professionals)
Disclaimer: This article provides information about AI tools and does not constitute legal advice. Lawyers should consult their jurisdiction’s ethics rules and exercise independent professional judgment when using AI in legal practice. Tool features and pricing are subject to change.
P.S. for Lawyers: The legal profession is changing faster than most realize. AI won’t replace you, but it will redefine what “being a lawyer” means. The choice is simple: adapt and thrive, or resist and get left behind.
The firms winning in 2025? They started experimenting in 2023. Don’t wait until 2027 to catch up. 🚀