Viewed in Fortune
AI is quietly but quickly changing how legal work gets done. From contract drafting to research, AI tools are speeding things up and cutting out repetitive tasks. That’s good news for companies—if the tools are used the right way.
Yes, there have been missteps: lawyers citing fake AI-generated cases in court made headlines. But those are the exceptions. Most firms are now experimenting seriously with tools like CoCounsel, Harvey, and Clio to work faster and smarter—especially on tasks that used to take junior lawyers hours to complete.
What This Means for your General Counsel
1. Ask your law firms how they’re using AI safely. AI can be a huge time-saver, but it comes with risks. Ask your firms which tools they’re using, how they’re checking results, and how they protect confidential data. Tools like CoCounsel are built with legal data privacy in mind.
2. Rethink billing. If AI is doing what used to take five hours in 15 minutes, billing models need to catch up. Flat fees or fixed-scope pricing can make a lot more sense than open-ended billable hours. This is a good moment to revisit how you’re working with outside counsel.
3. Consider using legal AI in-house. Many in-house teams are also starting to use AI for research, first drafts, and compliance reviews. It won’t replace your lawyers—but it can clear their plates for more strategic work.
4. Keep an eye on oversight. As AI becomes more common in legal workflows, it’s worth working with IT and compliance teams to set some basic ground rules—especially around accuracy, security, and who gets access to what.
Redesigning the Legal Org Chart for AI
AI is flattening parts of the legal org chart. Traditional hierarchies that relied heavily on junior talent for routine tasks may need to evolve. Expect leaner teams, with fewer “grinders” and more tech-fluent legal professionals who can supervise AI outputs, oversee risk, and add business value.
Some companies are introducing new roles—such as Legal Ops + AI specialists—to bridge legal knowledge with tech execution. The General Counsel doesn’t just need good lawyers anymore; they need problem-solvers who can manage people and prompt engineering.
Take-Aways
AI is already changing how legal work gets done—and it’s speeding up. General Counsels don’t need to overhaul everything overnight, but staying informed, asking good questions, and trying things out internally is a smart way to stay ahead.
With thanks to Jeff John Roberts at Fortune for his clear-eyed reporting on how AI is reshaping the legal landscape.
