Danae Shell, CEO of the consumer legal platform Valla, explores how artificial intelligence will transform legal practice over the next three years, emphasising efficiency gains rather than wholesale replacement of legal professionals.

We’ve all seen the headlines about AI’s impact on the legal industry. Forrester has predicted that almost 80 percent of jobs in the legal sector will be significantly reshaped by AI technology, and Goldman Sachs predicts that 44 percent of legal tasks could be automated using AI tools.

It’s easy to see these headlines and fear the worst but at Valla we have real evidence of a positive future for lawyers. After building an AI-enhanced merits assessment product that reduced case preparation time from eight hours to two hours, we’ve seen directly how much these tools can reduce administrative tasks. I believe we're entering an era where technology will finally allow lawyers to spend more time with clients and less time buried in paperwork.

1. The end of document drudgery

Currently, legal professionals face the laborious task of sifting through endless email attachments, saving documents to case management systems and painstakingly reading through each item to piece together chronologies of events.

AI systems will handle the initial sense-making of contentious situations, providing comprehensive summaries while maintaining access to original documents for verification. This isn't about replacing the analytical skills of legal professionals but rather removing the preliminary grunt work that prevents them from applying their expertise effectively.

 I believe we're entering an era where technology will finally allow lawyers to spend more time with clients and less time buried in paperwork.

The key safeguard lies in maintaining transparency. AI-generated summaries must always be accompanied by source documents, allowing lawyers to verify findings and delve deeper where necessary. At Valla, our AI develops a “hunch” – an assessment of key legal claims that can be validated during client consultations, ensuring accuracy whilst dramatically reducing preparation time.

2. Instant post-consultation analysis

After meeting with clients, lawyers typically face the onerous task of distilling complex conversations into advice documents – a process that can take hours and is often delayed by busy schedules.

AI will revolutionise this process by listening to consultations in real-time, understanding the context of provided documents and original issues, and immediately drafting preliminary advice based on the conversation. Rather than starting from a blank page days or weeks later, lawyers will review AI-generated drafts whilst the consultation remains fresh in their minds.

This development addresses a common frustration in legal practice: the delay between consultation and advice delivery. When lawyers are back-to-back with clients or overwhelmed with cases, the critical task of writing up advice often gets pushed aside, sometimes for weeks. AI eliminates this bottleneck, providing instant recall and structured analysis that lawyers can review, refine, and deliver promptly.

The result is happier clients receiving timely advice and more efficient lawyers who can focus on the substance of legal guidance rather than the mechanics of documentation.

3. Real-time consultation support

Perhaps the most sophisticated development on the horizon is AI that actively participates during client consultations. Rather than passively recording conversations, these systems will provide real-time support by identifying relevant legislation, case law, or resources as they become pertinent to the discussion.

Imagine discussing a complex employment issue with a client and having AI discretely suggest relevant statutory provisions or recent case precedents that could strengthen their position. The system could instantly locate links to important resources and offer to include them in the final advice document, all without interrupting the flow of conversation.

When lawyers are back-to-back with clients or overwhelmed with cases, the critical task of writing up advice often gets pushed aside, sometimes for weeks. AI eliminates this bottleneck.

This technology transforms AI from a post-consultation tool into an intelligent assistant that enhances the quality of legal advice in real-time. For law firms, this means more comprehensive service delivery; for clients, it means more thorough and immediately actionable advice.

4. Proactive case management

The final transformation involves moving from reactive to proactive case management. AI systems with comprehensive case context can handle the administrative follow-up that currently consumes significant lawyer time – chasing deadlines, scheduling appointments, strategic case planning and managing client expectations throughout the legal process.

More importantly, AI can anticipate client needs and emotional responses at critical junctures. In employment tribunal cases, for instance, receiving the employer's response is typically a devastating moment for claimants, who often react emotionally to robust denials of their claims. An AI system could proactively prepare clients for this response, providing emotional support and practical guidance to prevent impulsive reactions that might damage their case.

Embracing efficiency, not replacing people

The overarching theme of these developments is efficiency rather than replacement. AI will handle the administrative tasks that currently prevent lawyers from maximising their time on substantive legal work. The goal is not to eliminate human expertise but to amplify it by removing barriers to effective client service.

For clients, this transformation promises more accessible legal services. When lawyers spend less time on administrative tasks, they can offer more time to a broader range of clients.

The transformation is already underway and law firms that embrace these technologies early will find themselves better positioned to serve clients effectively while maintaining competitive advantage.

The key is viewing AI as a powerful tool for enhancement rather than a threat to professional relevance.

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