By Staff Writer | 08/04/2025
Throughout the past four decades, the impact of technology has created a significant transformation in the legal field. Many legal professionals can now complete routine tasks that once took hours – if not days – in a matter of minutes.
From researching case law and legal precedent to processing payments, the day-to-day administrative tasks of law firms integrate a wide range of tech tools. As legal technology and artificial intelligence (AI) systems continue to advance, legal practices will evolve as well to better accommodate clients.
How Law Firms Use Legal Technology
Computer technology and digital communication have revolutionized every business sector, and the legal industry is no exception. Searching for relevant case law in legal texts and search engines is an integral aspect of legal work that has become immensely more manageable, thanks to legal technology.
Today’s new technologies also enable law firms to maintain an open dialogue with the parties they represent and maintain client confidentiality. For example, secure client portals and file-transfer tools allow clients to safely share files, documents, and other sensitive information with their legal counsel. Law firms may also use digital contracts to streamline the client onboarding process and reduce human error.
Thanks to recent technological advancements, legal professionals can now work more efficiently and even serve clients remotely to help combat legal deserts.
Legal technology can be used in three areas:
- Legal research
- Case management and ediscovery
- Contract review and preparation
Legal Research
The modern process for conducting legal research may represent one of the greatest impacts of technology on the legal profession. With online databases, legal teams can review vast amounts of data quickly to identify relevant case law for their clients.
“What used to require boxes of files and hours of manual research can now be handled with a few keystrokes,” says Dr. Gary Deel, J.D., a professor for the Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business at American Public University (APU).
“Gone are the days of flipping through dusty law books for hours. Legal research tools like Lexis®, Westlaw®, and Fastcase® let lawyers search by keyword, jurisdiction, or even legal issue in seconds. They highlight relevant cases, summarize holdings, and generate proper citations automatically.
These online tools speed up research, reduce errors, and help attorneys build stronger, more precise arguments. So, they are a massive time-saver in daily practice.”
Legal technology has also redefined client expectations, as Dr. Deel explains. “People want faster, more transparent legal services than ever before.”
Case Management and Ediscovery
Every legal matter involves mountains of data. Legal practices must sift through endless amounts of paperwork and digital files to manage cases for their clients.
There’s a reason why legal procedures are notoriously complex. From ediscovery – when each party provides electronically shared information (ESI) relevant to the case – to closing remarks, every detail matters. The outcome of a case can depend on a single piece of evidence.
Consequently, the legal profession demands a methodical approach to storing and retrieving information. “Case management software like Clio® or PracticePanther helps keep matters organized, while ediscovery platforms assist with combing through vast digital evidence,” Dr. Deel says.
Contract Review and Preparation
Drafting and reviewing contracts can be time-consuming and tedious for even the most adept legal professionals. To help expedite these processes, new and emerging technologies now integrate artificial intelligence.
AI tools can prepare and review contracts in less time than traditional law firms would typically require. Many businesses and individuals inevitably seek out these resources for faster, more affordable assistance with negotiating agreements.
Still, AI-powered legal tech should supplement human-led legal services, rather than replace lawyers, as Bloomberg Law® advises. AI tools are still in their infancy. Unlike human lawyers, they may not fully recognize the many nuances of contract law and other legal frameworks.
The Future of Artificial Intelligence in the Legal Industry
The merits, pitfalls, and uncertainty surrounding AI usage has become a widely debated topic, especially in recent years. AI-powered tools have infiltrated everything from legal education to legal practice groups.
“So far, from what I have seen, AI has taken root mostly in legal research, contract analysis, and document review,” says Dr. Deel. “Tools like Casetext® or Harvey® help attorneys quickly find relevant precedent or flag contract risks. It is just the beginning, in my opinion.
“As AI improves, we’ll likely see deeper integration in litigation forecasting, client intake, and even brief writing. However, human oversight remains essential for nuance, finesse, and judgment.”
The Role of Technology in Protecting Intellectual Property
Intellectual property (IP) is the term used to describe creative work. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO®), IP can include:
- Tangible inventions
- Literary and artistic works
- Designs
- Symbols
- The names and images used in business
Many law firms specialize in IP protection to help clients navigate intellectual property law. When it comes to safeguarding innovations from copycats, there are plenty of complex problems that can arise.
Preventing others from replicating protected works – and proving that a party is guilty of infringement – can prove challenging. Fortunately, advanced technologies help ease the burden of protecting IP.
“Digital watermarking, blockchain-based registries, and rights management systems can track and authenticate original content. Additionally, automated monitoring tools scan the web for unauthorized use, while secure filing systems make IP registration easier,” says Dr. Deel.
“Still, even simple tools like metadata tracking or version control can also help prove ownership in disputes. These solutions offer creators more control and peace of mind,” he adds.
How Emerging Technologies Pose a Threat to Protected Works
Despite the many ways in which technology helps protect IP, it also opens the floodgates to a host of new challenges. As Dr. Deel explains, the sprawling digital landscape that connects us to our favorite movies, music, and artwork also fuels digital piracy and IP infringement.
“A single click can copy and redistribute copyrighted works globally. Moreover, AI can now generate content that mimics protected styles or trademarks – blurring legal lines.
“Platforms struggle to enforce takedowns, and creators often fight an uphill battle protecting their rights. So, while tech enables IP protection, it also magnifies the risks,” explains Dr. Deel.
Ethical Considerations and the Legal Field’s Adoption of Technology
Given the rapid pace at which the legal profession has incorporated new technologies, the moral and ethical obligations of law firms come into question. Specifically, legal tech poses new challenges regarding ethics and data security.
For example, the global nature of the internet raises privacy concerns, especially when law firms provide legal services to remote clients. In both criminal and civil cases, legal teams have access to confidential documents and other materials that they must protect.
“Data security is critical in law, because attorneys handle highly sensitive client information. Breaches can mean not only financial losses, but also serious ethical violations,” Dr. Deel warns.
“Law firms must implement encryption, secure cloud storage, and strict access controls. At the same time, lawyers have to stay informed about how tech tools process and store data to avoid unintentional disclosure or malpractice.”
Ignorance is no excuse. “Ethics obligations now include the duty to understand and safeguard your own software,” says Dr. Deel.
Technological Advancements Help Improve Access to Justice
In criminal cases, public defenders provide legal representation to individuals who can’t afford private counsel. When it comes to civil matters – everything from child custody disputes to personal injury claims – there is no equivalent. Generally, litigants must either pay for legal services or represent themselves pro se.
Given these limitations, access to justice has been an ongoing issue among low-income communities. The digital transformation of the legal industry could help bring about meaningful change.
In fact, today’s legal technologies already show promise. “Tools like online legal clinics, chatbots, and self-help portals are making legal resources more available to underserved communities,” says Dr. Deel.
Online Legal Clinics
Legal clinics are law school programs that allow students to assist with real legal cases. Advancements in legal technology now allow students to complete their work in online clinics and lend their expertise to clients in remote and underserved areas.
Chatbots
An astounding 85% of users say chatbots improve their experience when navigating court websites, according to the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). In addition to answering frequently asked questions, court chatbots can help users complete certain tasks like filing a pleading online, a report from the NCSC mentions.
Chatbots provide a streamlined path to information, as the NCSC report explains. They’re especially helpful for users with limited technical skills who may have difficulties navigating court websites. “For advanced or tech-savvy users, chatbots provide convenience as an efficient and direct path to information,” the report adds.
Self-Help Portals
There are now 25 states using or developing court-based self-help centers to improve access to justice, according to the NCSC. These resources combine various legal technologies, such as phone, chat, and video conferencing tools. The NCSC notes that these portals “provide millions of Americans involved in civil cases with essential legal information, procedural guidance, and referrals.”
A2J Tech, a legal tech company, also works closely with jurisdictions throughout the country to help improve access to justice in underserved areas. They equip communities with “free computers located in community agencies that provide legal help access points.”
These computers are called “legal kiosks.” A2J Tech installs them in places like libraries, churches, shelters, and malls to help individuals who don’t have their own smartphones, computers, or internet access.
Technology also helps promote fairness by reducing bias within the justice system, according to Divyani Pathak of the American Bar Association® (ABA).
“One way that technology is helping to reduce bias is through algorithms. Algorithms are used to analyze legal data and identify patterns of bias related to race, gender, and ethnicity. By identifying these patterns, technology can help reduce the impact of bias by providing objective information that can be used to make more informed decisions,” Pathak notes.
Technological Literacy Is a Must for Today’s Legal Professionals
For paralegals, lawyers, and other professionals in the legal field, understanding legal frameworks is only part of the job. Technologies continue to evolve and to transform the legal industry. According to Secretariat, the number of legal practices using AI systems in tandem with other modern legal research tools will only grow over time.
Accordingly, universities and law schools now place greater emphasis on teaching technological literacy. “Law students use online casebooks, simulations, and platforms like CALI® for self-paced learning,” says Dr. Deel.
“Virtual moot courts and AI-driven legal writing tutors are also becoming common. Furthermore, professors can now assign practical, tech-based assignments that mirror real-world legal work.
"Overall, legal tech has made education a lot more flexible and engaging. In many ways, it’s also more aligned with the modern practice of law,” he adds.
The Bachelor’s in Legal Studies at APU
For adult learners interested in learning more about the impact of technology on law practices, APU offers an online Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies.
In the courses for this academic program, students will discuss legal technology, civil litigation and criminal justice processes, and the legal frameworks that define our country. The courses will also explore how legal precedent influences case outcomes and different types of law.
For more information about this degree, visit APU’s security and global studies program page.
Note: These programs do not award professional paralegal certification but may be helpful in preparing to seek certification.
Lexis is registered trademark of Relx, Inc.
Westlaw is a registered trademark of the West Publishing Corporation.
Fastcase is a registered trademark of Fastcase, Inc.
Clio is a registered trademark of Themis Solutions, Inc.
Bloomberg Law is a registered trademark of Bloomberg Finance One L.P.
Casetext is a registered trademark of Casetext, Inc.
Harvey is a registered trademark of Counsel AI Corporation.
World Intellectual Property Organization and WIPO are registered trademarks of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
American Bar Association and ABA are registered trademarks of the American Bar Association.
National Center for State Courts is a registered trademark of National Center for State Courts.
CALI is a registered trademark of The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction.
