Like many industries, the legal sector has struggled to keep pace with and adopt technological advancements. However, in recent years, digital transformation has become a necessity rather than a luxury. In-house legal teams are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and legal tech platforms to enhance efficiency, streamline workflows and manage risk more effectively. This shift is not only reshaping legal operations, but also influencing in-house legal recruitment and the skill sets which modern legal professionals need, to ensure a successful career.
The following list is by no means exhaustive but is an indication of where technology is playing a key part in transforming in-house legal teams:
1. Automation of routine tasks
AI-powered tools can automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as contract review, legal research and document drafting, freeing up time for legal professionals to focus on more strategic tasks.
2. Enhanced legal research and compliance
AI-driven research tools can analyse vast volumes of legal data, case law and regulatory changes in seconds, providing lawyers with relevant insights. Compliance software also helps organisations stay up to date with regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.
3. Improved contract management
Legal tech platforms offer contract lifecycle management (CLM) solutions that use AI to detect risks, flag inconsistencies and ensure compliance with company policies. These tools help to minimise delays and potential disputes.
4. Data-driven decision making
Legal analytics tools can provide insights into litigation trends, risk exposure and contract performance, enabling more informed business decisions.
5. Collaboration and remote work
Cloud-based legal tech platforms facilitate seamless collaboration among in-house legal teams, external counsel and internal stakeholders. Features such as document sharing, e-signatures and workflow automation enable remote legal work without compromising security or efficiency.
Impact on recruitment and skill sets
Familiarity with AI-driven contract review platforms, legal research databases and case management systems is quickly becoming non-negotiable and the integration of AI and legal technology is reshaping the competencies required for modern legal professionals. Companies must adapt their recruitment strategies in order to find candidates who can offer the right blend of technical and IT skills.
With legal analytics becoming a crucial component of decision-making, lawyers need to develop skills in data interpretation, pattern recognition and risk assessment. Understanding how to leverage data insights can give legal teams a strategic advantage.
Interestingly - and contrary to how it may appear, given the increased use of technology - soft skills are just as important as ever, too. As AI handles more routine legal work, in-house lawyers are expected to focus on advisory and strategic functions. Strong communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills therefore remain critical, as legal teams collaborate more closely with other business units.
We are also seeing a trend amongst junior in-house legal professionals wanting exposure and involvement with a variety of legal technologies as well as direct legal operations experience; both because it’s an area of huge interest, and because the new generation of lawyers recognise the value of developing skills in this area.
Final thoughts
Technology is revolutionising in-house legal teams, making them more efficient, data-driven and strategically aligned with business objectives. Legal professionals must embrace new tools and develop the necessary skills to thrive in this digital landscape.
Organisations, in turn, must adapt their recruitment strategies to ensure they attract and retain tech-savvy legal talent, to ensure long-term success.