How Will Legal Technology Change Lawyers in the Future?

Just as technology has transformed industries like finance, healthcare, and retail, it is now poised to reshape the way lawyers work, collaborate, and deliver value.  

Legal technology—ranging from in-house legal software to AI-powered tools—offers opportunities to streamline tasks, enhance decision-making, and redefine how lawyers interact with their clients and colleagues.

As these advancements take hold, they promise to unlock new efficiencies, foster creativity, and enable legal teams to focus on what truly matters: solving complex problems and delivering strategic counsel.  

Let’s explore how these changes will shape the lawyers of tomorrow.

6 Ways Legal Technology Will Change Lawyers in the Future

1 – Revolutionizing Workflows with Automations

For years, lawyers have juggled a mountain of administrative work—drafting documents, managing contracts, and sorting through endless correspondence. But with the rise of legal automation, much of this tedious, repetitive labor is made redundant.  

Tasks like intake and triage, document review, and compliance monitoring can now be handled by AI-powered tools, drastically reducing time spent on repetitive and tedious activities.

This shift allows lawyers to focus on more strategic and intellectually challenging work, such as advising clients, crafting legal strategies, and negotiating deals. However, it is important to note that automation doesn’t replace the expertise and judgment lawyers bring to the table—it amplifies it by freeing up their time for what truly matters.

2 – Enhancing Decision Making with AI and Analytics

One of the most exciting advancements in legal technology is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics into decision-making processes.  

Essentially, AI tools act as digital assistants for your legal team. For example, an AI chatbot can instantly respond to legal inquiries based on company policies and playbooks. Another useful capability that is gaining traction in the legal world is AI-powered intake and triage which automatically routes requests based on pre-set rules, ensuring the right tasks are prioritized and assigned efficiently.  

From there, AI can analyze the data held in centralized platforms like a matter management software (MMS) to generate meaningful metrics and track key performance indicators (KPIs) tailored to your team's needs.

By combining legal expertise with data-driven insights, lawyers can focus on offering more precise and impactful recommendations, demonstrating their value as trusted advisors in an increasingly data-centric world.

3 – Driving Collaboration Through Integrated Platforms

Legal work often involves multiple stakeholders—lawyers, clients, and other departments—all needing access to the same information and updates. Integrated platforms, like matter management software (MMS) and contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools, streamline communication by consolidating tasks, documents, and workflows into one accessible hub.  

Lawyers can easily track the status of matters, share updates with internal clients, and ensure everyone is working with the most up-to-date information. Features like automated notifications and role-based access further enhance collaboration by ensuring that the right people are engaged at the right time.

Beyond improving efficiency, integrated platforms foster a more transparent and connected working environment. With less time spent searching for information or chasing updates, legal teams can focus on delivering impactful results and building stronger relationships across their organizations.

4 – Expanding Access to Legal Advice with Tech-Enabled Services

Legal technology isn’t just transforming how lawyers work—it’s also changing who can access legal services.  

Tools like AI-powered chatbots and online legal platforms are breaking down barriers, making legal advice more accessible to individuals that previously couldn’t receive it without having to put a request in and wait hours—and maybe even days—for a response.

For example, automated tools can provide answers to common legal questions, draft basic contracts, or guide users through regulatory compliance—all without requiring direct lawyer involvement. This doesn’t replace lawyers but allows them to focus on complex, high stakes matters while technology handles routine inquiries.

As technology continues to lower the barriers to entry, the legal profession has a unique opportunity to evolve—meeting the needs of a digital-first audience while upholding its commitment to delivering swift and accurate advice to internal clients.

5 – Redefining Skill Sets for Legal Professionals

It’s no longer enough to excel solely in legal knowledge—modern lawyers also need to be tech-savvy, adaptable, and comfortable using tools like AI-powered platforms, legal automation software, and data analytics.

Lawyers who can navigate tools for contract review, matter management, or compliance monitoring will not only work more efficiently but also deliver greater value to their clients.  

Additionally, skills in leveraging data-insights for strategic decision-making are becoming just as important as drafting airtight contracts or ensuring compliance with regulations. So, those who embrace continuous learning and innovation will be best positioned to thrive in this new landscape.  

6 – Strengthening Compliance and Risk Management

Navigating compliance and managing risk are cornerstones of legal work—tasks that are becoming more complex as regulations evolve and global operations expand. Legal technology is stepping in to simplify these challenges with tools designed to monitor compliance, document clear audit trails, and manage risks more effectively.

For example, Checkbox’s legal service hub creates clear audit trails for all matters, including conversation and task history, providing lawyers with concrete evidence to mitigate potential risks.

How to Prepare for the Future: Opportunities and Challenges

The future of legal technology is full of potential, but it also brings new complexities. Let’s break it down into three key areas: opportunities, challenges, and how lawyers can prepare to thrive.

Opportunities

Legal technology offers tools that improve efficiency, reduce manual work, and allow lawyers to focus on high-impact tasks. By adopting these tools, legal professionals can:

• Lead innovation within their organizations, proving themselves as forward-thinking.

• Deliver greater value to clients through faster, more accurate, and data-driven insights.

• Stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry by leveraging cutting-edge solutions.

Challenges

With new opportunities come unique hurdles that need careful navigation. Some of these key challenges include:

• Getting buy-in for legal technology.

• Addressing potential biases in automated tools.

• Balancing the use of technology with human judgment.

How to Prepare for the Future

To maximize resources for legal technology and prepare well for future shifts, lawyers need to embrace a mindset of continuous learning and proactive adaptation. Here’s how:

• Invest in Education: Stay updated on the latest tools and legal technology trends, and develop the technical skills to use them effectively.

• Lead the Conversation: Advocate for proper use of technology and help shape how it’s integrated into in-house legal operations.

• Stay Agile: Be ready to adapt to new tools and workflows as they emerge, ensuring your team remains ahead of the curve.

By seizing opportunities, addressing challenges, and preparing for the road ahead, legal professionals can harness technology to redefine their roles and create lasting impact in an increasingly tech-driven world.

The key to success lies not in resisting change but in harnessing it to create meaningful impact for clients, teams, and the broader legal community. The future is here—let’s embrace it together.

Want to learn more? Book a call with one of our technology consultants to see how Checkbox can help your team embrace the future of legal.