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AI by industry

AI for Small law firms

Admin, marketing and first drafts of routine letters, with strict limits on confidential information.

Start here: Start with your website FAQ, written from your own notes.

Small law firms

Photo: Iliaswiki23, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where AI helps most

1
Write blog posts that answer real questions

Plain-language articles answering questions clients ask.

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2
Reply to customer emails faster

Intake replies and appointment logistics.

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3
Write standard operating procedures

Office procedures and file-opening checklists.

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4
Turn meeting notes into tasks

Internal team meetings, not client matters, unless your tools are approved.

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5
Understand a contract before you sign

First-pass summaries for a lawyer to verify.

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6
Write welcome emails for new customers

Clear onboarding emails about next steps and fees.

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AI tools worth a look for small law firms

ClioPractice management for law firms, with AI features.
HarveyAI platform built for law firms and legal teams.
SpellbookAI contract drafting and review inside Microsoft Word, built for lawyers.
Microsoft CopilotMicrosoft’s assistant, also built into Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams on Microsoft 365 plans.
Otter.aiRecords and transcribes meetings, then writes summaries and action items.

We are not paid by any of these companies, and we list well-known options, not a ranking. Features and plans change; check the provider’s site and its data terms before you sign up. See all AI tools by category.

Do’s and don’ts

Do

  • Check every citation and case reference yourself.
  • Use tools with confidentiality terms suitable for client data.
  • Follow your bar or regulator’s guidance on AI.

Don’t

  • File anything containing AI-generated citations you have not verified. Courts have sanctioned lawyers for fake cases.
  • Paste privileged material into consumer tools.
  • Let AI give legal advice to clients unsupervised.

Watch out for

  • Check your bar or regulator’s guidance on AI.
  • Verify every case citation; AI tools have produced fake ones.
  • Keep client-confidential material out of tools that are not approved by your firm.

General guidance, not legal or professional advice. Check your industry’s rules and your tools’ data terms.

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