Major law firms are moving fast on AI integration, and the competitive implications are significant. This comprehensive survey reveals how firms like A&O Shearman, Cooley, and Dentons are building proprietary AI capabilities that go far beyond basic automation—they're creating strategic advantages through custom platforms and client-facing tools.
The standout insight comes from DLA Piper's AI practice chair: "This is an arms race, and you don't want to be the last law firm with these tools." That framing captures what's really happening. Firms aren't just adopting technology for efficiency gains anymore. They're positioning for market differentiation in a profession where AI capabilities will soon separate leaders from followers.
Three patterns emerge from the adoption data. First, the most sophisticated implementations involve custom platforms rather than off-the-shelf tools—Cooley's Vanilla, Dentons' FleetAI, and Macfarlanes' Amplify all represent significant internal investments. Second, successful deployments combine AI capabilities with human oversight protocols, suggesting firms are learning from early missteps. Third, client-facing AI tools are becoming competitive differentiators, not just internal efficiency plays.
For legal leaders, this survey confirms that AI adoption has moved from experimental to essential. The firms making strategic investments now are building advantages that will be difficult for competitors to match later. The challenge shifts from whether to adopt AI to how quickly you can build differentiated capabilities that clients will value.
Eliya France
