Two thirds of lawyers using AI - with nearly half on off-the-shelf systems

Almost half of lawyers using generative AI in their day-to-day work rely on off-the-shelf systems rather than bespoke tools, research by a legal information business suggests. According to The AI Culture Clash, published by LexisNexis, 61% of lawyers are now using AI, up from 46% in January 2025. The proportion of lawyers with no plans to adopt AI has dropped from 15% to 6%.

Among those using AI, 51% have chosen tools designed specifically for the sector. The remaining 49% of AI users rely solely on general AI tools.

While adoption is surging, confidence and culture are lagging. Only 17% of lawyers say that AI is fully embedded in strategy and operations, with two thirds reporting their organisation’s AI culture is slow or non-existent. Confidence in AI rises significantly when it is grounded in trusted legal sources: 88% of those using legal AI exclusively said they feel more confident in its output.  

Private practice lawyers say they are using the time saved by AI to both drive commercial outcomes and improve wellbeing. Over half (56%) reported spending the extra time saved using AI to increase the amount of billable work, while 53% said they have used the time to enjoy a better work-life balance.

AI is also accelerating changes to billing models, the report clams, though the oft-forecast 'end of the billable hour' remains remote. Almost half (47%) of lawyers agree AI will transform how firms bill, up from 40% earlier this year. Law firm leaders and general counsel are particularly attuned to this shift, with 55% and 49% respectively expecting billing models to change.

The findings also suggest a clear talent retention risk for firms that lag behind. Nearly one in five private practice lawyers and in-house counsel said they would consider leaving their organisation if it failed to adequately invest in AI. Career concerns are significant: 39% of private practice lawyers and 49% of in-house counsel believe failing to engage with AI would harm their careers.

Stuart Greenhill, director of segment management at LexisNexis UK, said: 'Lawyers are proving that AI delivers clear commercial returns. They’re using it to increase billable hours, rethink pricing models, and deliver more value to clients. Firms that treat AI as a strategic investment, not just an efficiency tool, will gain a decisive edge in profitability and client satisfaction.'