The findings arrive as AI adoption in law firms accelerated dramatically from 19 percent in 2023 to 79 percent in 2024—a pace exceeding historical cloud technology adoption. Major firms including DLA Piper have deployed 5,000 licenses, while others like Cleary Gottlieb have acquired AI companies outright. The industry is now shifting focus from technology procurement decisions to the human and cultural elements required to sustain implementation, with ROI typically appearing within the first quarter.
For firms planning or executing AI rollouts, the research suggests that leadership quality and workplace culture merit equal attention to technology selection and spending levels. As tech budgets climb 9.7 percent annually and concerns about trust and ethics continue to impede adoption, the study offers a concrete reframing: success depends on whether associates embrace the tools, not on how much is spent deploying them. Firms still in early adoption phases should assess organizational readiness before scaling investment.