This year was one of confounding contradictions. Technology advanced quickly—faster than ever before—with legal technology companies updating their software at rates never before seen in a race to include generative artificial intelligence capabilities. However, despite the rapid deployments, the integration of AI was often surface-level, with deeper integrations planned but not yet achieved.

Development hurdles were numerous. One challenge was overcoming the significant complexities involved in leveraging accessible data to provide in-depth analytics. Another issue was the high costs associated with relying on mainstream generative AI models, such as OpenAI and Anthropic’s Claude, especially when performing complicated data analyses.

Last year, legal professionals and law firms initially implemented AI at a pace that far surpassed the adoption rates of the technologies that preceded it, such as social media, mobile computing and cloud computing. However, study after study showed that in 2024, usage numbers stabilized, although interest in the potential of generative AI remained high.

The initial uptick in usage happened despite the many ethical challenges presented by AI, including confidentiality, biases, “hallucinations” and more. In response, state bars took notice and issued AI guidance at a record pace in an attempt to assist lawyers with navigating the many roadblocks encountered when using these tools in their firms.

Throughout it all, I tracked AI software trends and offered advice on choosing legal software, most of which was AI-enabled. Traditional legal software categories were also updated, providing legal professionals with new features designed to streamline practice and matter management and automate document creation. Each month I offered an overview of a software tool, so if you’re in the market for new tech for your firm, there’s a good chance one of my 2024 roundups includes the information you need.

January: Legal tech survey results

The legal industry saw rapid changes in 2024, driven by fast-moving advancements in tech, including generative AI. In January, I covered the LawPay and MyCase Legal Industry Report 2024, which offers valuable insights into how firms are adapting, covering key topics, such as AI adoption, common technology implementation challenges, and the software relied on to improve efficiency and profitability. The data showed that in late 2023, 27% of respondents reported that they personally used generative AI tools for work-related purposes, and 24% shared that their firms had adopted legal-specific generative AI software. More than half of those surveyed (53%) reported that it increased efficiency somewhat, and for 24%, it increased significantly. Other topics covered included common tech implementation challenges and the software relied on to improve efficiency and profitability. Whether you’re a solo lawyer or managing a large firm, this report provides practical advice on outsourcing, payment flexibility and streamlining operations.

February: Document automation software

If your firm’s practice areas are document-intensive, recent advancements in document automation are worth exploring. As I explained in February’s article, this software has evolved significantly—now offering faster, simpler document assembly. Additionally, strategic acquisitions by legal tech companies have integrated advanced automation features into law practice management platforms, making it easier than ever to streamline document creation workflows. Looking ahead, generative AI will further improve document assembly by analyzing legal language and the subtle nuances in context, simplifying drafting and reducing the need for manual editing. By automating the routine tasks involved in creating complex documents, these advancements will save time and increase productivity.

March: AI-powered legal research

Generative AI has dramatically impacted legal research, with tools such as GPT-4 now playing a prominent role. When I last covered legal research tools in 2019, AI was being used to refine search results, but generative AI was not yet available. Today, it’s embedded in most legal research platforms, offering an extremely intuitive interface with enhanced capabilities. However, it is not without its challenges, including hallucination risks. My article from March explores some of the top legal research products that include generative AI features. Whether you’re a seasoned lawyer or new to AI, this guide will help you choose the right AI-enhanced legal research platform for your firm.

April: Matter management tools for in-house teams

With in-house legal teams facing increasing demands, efficient workflows are essential. In April, I discussed how matter management software addresses this need by streamlining processes from case intake to resolution while improving collaboration with internal teams and outside counsel. The right platform can enhance efficiency, mitigate risks and optimize operations, but selecting the right tool for your team’s unique needs isn’t always easy. This article provides an overview of matter management software for small-size to medium-size legal departments, highlighting key features, such as e-billing, workflow automation, contract management and AI capabilities.

May: AI brief drafting and analysis tools

Brief drafting and analysis is another area impacted by generative AI. Many brief writing platforms now include features to assist with editing, summarizing and drafting documents, and they also enable the analysis of lengthy materials, such as trial transcripts or appellate briefs. These tools are particularly useful for litigators, helping them focus on more complex tasks, such as developing legal strategies and crafting arguments. May’s article focuses on AI-powered brief writing and analysis software developed for solo and small firms. In it, I outline key features to look for, explore available tools, and discuss the importance of integration with a firm’s existing document creation software to ensure a seamless transition and uninterrupted workflows.

June: AI-supported pretrial litigation

Pretrial litigation often involves repetitive and time-consuming tasks, especially during the discovery phase. AI tools, particularly those that incorporate generative AI, are beginning to address these inefficiencies. By streamlining the drafting and analysis of pleadings, discovery requests and responses, these tools help reduce the time spent on routine work, allowing litigators to focus on high-impact, strategic work. This article from June reviews AI tools for managing pretrial discovery and offers guidance on selecting the right software for your firm. Issues to consider include identifying workflow challenges, assessing the capabilities of existing tools, and considering integration options with current systems.

July: Leveraging AI in law practice management software

Law practice management platforms serve as the business foundation for many firms, streamlining workflows, reducing administrative tasks, and improving productivity and profitability. Adding generative AI features to LPM tools enhances efficiency by automating routine tasks, such as time tracking, invoicing, document drafting, summarization and case updates, freeing legal professionals to focus on higher-value work. In July’s article, I review recent AI advancements in LPM software, including key announcements and feature releases from leading providers. I also offer guidance on factors to consider when adopting AI tools, such as functionality, pricing and the importance of user-friendly integrations with existing systems.

August: ILTACON 2024’s AI hard sell

This year’s ILTACON in Nashville, Tennessee, offered flashy but unproven promises. Generative AI dominated the conversation, with vendors discussing ambitious visions of the future but often showcasing tools in beta or early development mode via controlled demos. Overall, however, as I explained in August, it was an innovative showcase of legal tech potential with several key themes emerging that suggest where the industry is headed. First, generative AI is quickly becoming the new interface for legal tech, greatly improving how professionals interact with their firm’s software and data. Also, competition among vendors was fierce, driving innovation and new features. While much of the AI implementation remained surface-level, the promise of robust, impactful AI development was on the horizon.

September: AI-enabled deposition summaries and analysis

Deposition summarization and analysis is another area in which generative AI is changing the way that legal professionals interact with their software. AI deposition tools use advanced algorithms to review transcripts, identify critical themes, flag inconsistencies and extract key insights. By automating these time-consuming tasks, this software enables attorneys to focus on strategic trial preparation, rather than on mundane, time-consuming transcript review. This September article explores the benefits of these tools and offers guidance on selecting the right software for your litigation needs.

October: The next generation of litigation analytics

Finally, in last month’s article, I cover how litigation analytics software has evolved significantly since I last wrote about it in 2020. By analyzing court records and decisions, filings and other datasets, this software provides insights into judges, case outcomes, attorneys and more, enabling litigators to develop informed, data-backed strategies. Some companies have rolled out generative AI integrations that offer an intuitive conversational interface that enhances analytics functions, generating summaries, predicting outcomes and offering strategic recommendations based on historical trends. Using this information, legal teams can identify patterns in rulings, forecast motion success and optimize case strategies.

Reflecting on 2024, looking ahead

Reflecting on the past year, legal tech’s rapid evolution was driven by the integration of generative AI combined with the steady refinement of core practice management tools. This year had remarkable innovation and significant growing pains, as firms balanced the appeal of cutting-edge technologies with the realities of ethical implementation.

Looking ahead, the momentum from 2024 offers a strong foundation for further innovation. Forward-thinking legal professionals who approach emerging technologies with strategic planning and an open mindset will be best positioned to thrive. Whether through AI-driven analytics, enhanced case management systems or a blend of both, the opportunities to streamline workflows and provide superior client service have never been greater.

Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York-based attorney, author and journalist, and she is the principal legal insight strategist at MyCase, a company that offers legal practice management software for small firms. She is the nationally recognized author of Cloud Computing for Lawyers and is co-author of Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier, both published by the American Bar Association. She writes regular columns for ABAJournal.com and Above the Law, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @nikiblack, or she can be reached at [email protected].

This column reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily the views of the ABA Journal—or the American Bar Association.