A clear AI roadmap for a 25-person law firm, in six weeks

Challenge

What we were asked to solve

The firm had no internal technical expertise to evaluate AI tools objectively. They were at real risk of buying something that sounded impressive but would not integrate with their systems, or that would create compliance issues they had not anticipated. They needed an independent adviser with no product to sell who could help them understand their options and make a confident decision.

Solution

How we approached it

We ran a six-week AI strategy engagement across all three practice areas. This included one-to-one interviews with fee-earners to understand where time was being lost, a review of the firm's current case management and document systems, and an assessment of available AI tools against the firm's specific compliance and integration requirements. We delivered a prioritised opportunity register with honest effort and risk ratings, and a phased roadmap the managing partner could present to the partnership.

The firm identified eight AI use cases worth pursuing across its three practice areas, with a clear Phase 1 shortlist of three. The partnership approved budget for Phase 1 at their next quarterly meeting, and the firm began a structured procurement process the following month, having avoided two tools that would not have integrated with their case management system.

Results

The numbers