International law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has published the results of research discussing  how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact on the legal practice. The law firm compiled the analysis after talking to 22 of its clients in international companies. The research reveals that clients want their legal providers to focus on collaboration, new ways of service delivery and talent development and believe the introduction of AI into law firms' working practices will enable firms to meet these client demands.

Taking the lead

Clients expect their legal providers to take a lead in offering progressive services and solutions to recast the value gleaned from their relationships, the research - Artificial Intelligence: The client perspective - says. Law firms need to take charge of creating the right mix of human and machine capabilities to recast future relationships that benefit both provider and client.The findings suggest that clients have strong views in three distinct areas. They want to recast the relationship dynamic, believing that  AI tools will lead  to greater efficiency and challenge revenue models but also – and more importantly – drive an enhanced engagement.

Collaborative model

According to HSF, clients want their law firms to move beyond traditional transactional lead delivery to a new, more collaborative relationship model. The law firm says their clients want them to embrace new business models and want to know that their legal provider is making the best decisions around innovation, combining new technologies with new ways of working, including collaborating with third parties and challenging existing processes. 

Top talent

Finally, they expect the firm to reshape the talent pool. Legal providers must still deliver top human talent as  well as take advantage of technology, according to the clients. Commenting on the research, CEO Mark Rigotti says: 'Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly and is changing the way law firms do business, the way we interact with clients and ultimately, the way we think. The traditional model for delivering legal services is being redefined and clients expect their law firms to deliver more value. At Herbert Smith Freehills providing legal services aligned with legal technology solutions, remains at the heart of our innovation agenda.'