AI is top of mind for every law firm, but without clean, organised, and accessible data, even the smartest tools fall short. In our recent webinar, Legal IT Insider’s editor Caroline Hill and NetDocument’s director of AI solutions Brandall Nelson dived into what firms need to get right before launching AI initiatives and where they can see improvement.
Nelson explained that many firms struggle with fragmented repositories, inconsistent metadata, and siloed systems, making it difficult for AI to find what it needs. And the barriers aren’t just technical: success also requires stakeholder buy-in, clear ownership, and strong change management.
To avoid “pilot purgatory,” Nelson recommended starting small with one practice group and using a standardised but adaptable taxonomy. This phased approach helps firms refine their process while generating excitement across teams.
Is Your Firm AI‑Ready?
The webinar introduced a straightforward readiness checklist covering:
- Champions and early adopters
- AI tools already in use
- Policies, governance, and defined use cases
- Plans for rollout, feedback, and monitoring
A key message: having a policy isn’t enough—it must be reinforced continuously and embedded where users work.
Training, Champions & Adoption
Successful firms are identifying AI champions, tailoring training by practice area, and offering ongoing support such as office hours and train‑the‑trainer programs. Engagement is strongest when leadership encourages participation and users see AI as essential to staying competitive.
Success Stories
Nelson shared examples of firms seeing immediate benefits from AI‑powered document profiling, including faster searches and better knowledge retrieval, backed by hands-on training and well-prepared support teams.
Watch the full recording below:
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