This two-part blog series explores how to determine the ideal AI vendor and prepare your firm for an AI-driven future
As law firms see AI’s potential to streamline operations, agentic AI in particular is making waves. Tech-forward legal services are beginning to apply this solution to transform how to get work done and boost client value.
But how do you choose the best AI partner for your law firm? It starts with identifying clear criteria and developing a comprehensive strategy. To finish our two-part blog series, we’ll highlight ways you can ensure your firm’s successful adoption of agentic AI.
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Understanding agentic AI’s benefits
Preparing for agentic AI adoption
Evaluating potential AI partners
Prepare for an AI-driven future
Understanding agentic AI’s benefits
Agentic AI refers to systems that operate with more independence and intelligence than traditional AI or even generative AI (GenAI). While basic AI-powered automation can only enhance efficiency once given a command, agentic AI can reason and make decisions based on that command, planning how to reach a goal and then carrying out the steps. Using agentic AI, law firms can reap major benefits, including:
- Automating routine tasks. Lawyers can allocate more time to complex legal work, potentially enhancing overall productivity.
- Improving accuracy. Agentic AI can reduce errors in tasks such as document review and data analysis, ensuring higher quality outcomes.
- Growing revenue. With increased efficiency, firms could take on more work or transition to fixed-fee agreements, possibly boosting revenue.
Preparing for agentic AI adoption
Implementing agentic AI requires a thorough strategy that begins with gathering proper input.
“Successful firms are the ones that actually sit down and map out a complete strategy about how agentic AI will transform themselves,” says Steve Assie, General Manager, Global Large Law Firms at Thomson Reuters.
“[They] bring everyone along for that strategy, and make sure everyone knows how their parts fit into the broader puzzle.”
Start by outlining how agentic AI can drive transformation at your firm and ensure all parties are aligned with this vision. Be sure to involve multiple stakeholders — including talent management, pricing, and innovation teams — in the process. Develop robust processes to measure task completion times and track the return on investment (ROI) of implementing the technology.
Evaluating potential AI partners
Most importantly: Remember that not all AI solutions are created equal.
“You have to be looking for vendors who are making commitments to invest in the success of their customers,” says Assie. This includes providing robust customer support, training, and ongoing development to ensure law firms get the most from their investment.
When choosing an AI partner, law firms should consider several key factors:
- Security requirements. Verify that the vendor complies with both basic and advanced security standards, such as SoC 2 Type 2 compliance and ISO certification.
- Long-term viability. Assess the vendor’s ability to remain in business for at least the next three years and continue developing and supporting their product. Significant change management and transformation are required to integrate these tools into the workflow, and you want to avoid the risk of a vendor going out of business.
- Capacity for growth. Is the vendor capable of scaling and adapting to changing needs, particularly for global large law firms? Avoid tools restricted to niche use cases and ensure the technology can integrate smoothly across various parts of the firm.
- Integration with existing workflows. Examine the vendor’s ability to incorporate their product into current systems and processes.
At Thomson Reuters, we provide a unique combination of content, technology, expertise, and investment. Our professional-grade agentic AI solutions are implemented with the highest standards of accuracy, security, and compliance.
“We’re the ones you can count on,” says Assie. “We’ve been here for over 100 years. We’re going to be here in the future, and we are the best or near the best on all of those different components.”
Prepare for an AI-driven future
For forward-thinking legal professionals, the question isn’t whether to adopt agentic AI, but how quickly you can harness its potential to enhance your practice. Early adopters are already seeing tangible benefits, and delaying could mean missing these opportunities and weakening your competitive position.
Embracing agentic AI early also signals a commitment to innovation and client value. By using this technology now, your firm will be better equipped to meet the evolving demands of the legal market.
Thomson Reuters offers a particularly strong partnership in this journey, combining trusted legal content with expert insights. Learn more about our professional-grade AI solution, CoCounsel, built specifically for legal work.
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