Applying AI in law firms – tools, practice, and strategies
DIRO AG
Applying AI: Tools & Strategies
Artificial intelligence is no longer a topic for the future. It is gradually finding its way into law firms and legal departments.
But many are asking the same question: How can AI help in concrete terms?
The key lies not in the hype surrounding tools, but in their targeted use for clearly defined tasks.
This page shows where AI creates real added value in everyday law firm life, which tools are useful, and how to strategically prepare for getting started.
Typical areas of application in law firms
AI can assist in almost all areas of legal work, from research to client communication. It is important to start small and choose applications that deliver quick results.
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Document and contract analysis
Identification of risks, contradictions, or missing clauses in large contracts.
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Research and knowledge management
Automated summaries of judgments, comments, or legislative changes.
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client communication
Chatbots or assistants for recurring inquiries (e.g., scheduling appointments, status inquiries).
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Text and document generation
Support in drafting legal documents, emails, client information, or draft expert opinions.
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Administrative duties
Automated time tracking, invoicing, or document storage.
Selection and introduction of AI tools
A tool is only as good as its application environment.
Before selecting an application, a few basic questions should be clarified:
- Goal: What specific task should the tool perform?
- Data protection: Where is data processed and stored?
- Traceability: Are the results explainable and verifiable?
- Integration: Can the tool be integrated into existing systems (e.g., DMS or law firm software)?
- User-friendliness: Can the tool be used without technical knowledge?
General AI Tools and Chatbots
| Tool / Provider | Use Case | Description / Benefits in Law Firms |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT (OpenAI) | Text generation, research, draft pleadings | Assists with drafting legal texts, preparing outlines, generating ideas or producing summaries. |
| Claude (Anthropic) | Knowledge management, document comprehension | Excellent at understanding long and complex documents. Ideal for legal analysis or client correspondence. |
| Microsoft Copilot | Office integration (Word, Outlook, Excel) | Automates standard tasks in familiar tools, including email summaries, contract templates or calculations. |
| Google Gemini | Research, idea generation | Supports information gathering and quick text preparation within Google Workspace. |
| Perplexity AI | Research and source-based work | Ideal for legal research, as every answer includes linked sources. |
| Mistral AI / Le Chat | Privacy-focused alternative | European AI with a strong emphasis on GDPR compliance, highly relevant for law firms. |
Relevant AI and Legal Tech Tools for the German Legal Market
Libra
Focus: Legal research and knowledge management
Description: Libra provides a modern platform for legal information with integrated AI support. Ideal for law firms that need to search statutes, case law and legal literature quickly and accurately.
Legal OS
Focus: Contract automation and knowledge logic
Description: A German platform for creating dynamic contract templates. Uses AI driven decision logic to transform legal expertise into automated processes.
BRYTER
Focus: No code automation for law firms
Description: Enables legal professionals to build their own digital applications and forms without any programming skills. Ideal for firms with high automation needs.
Smartvokat
Focus: Workflow management and automation
Description: A German solution for automating legal workflows. Supports contract management, compliance tasks and client communication.
Leya.ai
Focus: European legal AI for law firms
Description: Developed in Sweden, tailored to German and European legal systems. GDPR compliant, ideal for research, contract work and knowledge management.
JUNE
Focus: Contract analysis and document review
Description: A German AI system specialized in analyzing legal documents in the German language. Automatically detects risks, clauses and deviations.
Aleph Alpha (Luminous)
Focus: Language model and AI infrastructure
Description: A European alternative to ChatGPT with data centers in Germany. Serves as the foundation for many legal AI projects, GDPR compliant and transparent in reasoning.
DeepJudge
Focus: Knowledge management and document search
Description: Swiss AI for legal databases and semantic search. Identifies links in case law, briefs and files significantly faster than traditional systems.
Strategies for the sustainable use of AI
A law firm that wants to use artificial intelligence successfully in the long term needs more than just the right tools—it needs a clear strategy. Technology alone does not change the way we work. Only when processes, people, and learning structures work together can real added value be created.
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Further education:
Continuous training is the basis for building skills within the team and keeping knowledge up to date. Law firms that establish regular learning formats such as internal workshops, “Lunch & Learn” sessions, or short impulse series create a culture of proactive thinking.
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Governance:
Binding rules, responsibilities, and documentation requirements ensure transparency. A clear framework for data protection, quality assurance, and internal use builds trust and reduces uncertainty when dealing with AI.
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Evaluation:
The success of AI implementation should be measurable, for example through time savings, lower error rates, or higher employee satisfaction. This allows the law firm to identify which applications bring real benefits and where improvements are needed.
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Culture:
Innovation requires courage. Mistakes are part of the learning process. Law firms that allow experimentation and openly share experiences develop faster than those that wait for perfection.
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Future outlook: AI as an integral part of legal work
In the coming years, artificial intelligence will become an integral part of legal work. Systems will become more specialized, integrated, and trustworthy. They will not replace legal work, but rather complement and support it.
Trends that are already emerging:
- Combining generative AI with legal databases
- Intelligent document management with context-based search
- AI-supported client portals and self-service offerings
AI is becoming a tool that expands legal thinking.
Law firms that learn early on to strategically leverage its potential will gain a long-term advantage.