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Guide to Legal Automation
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Legal AI automation might sound complex, but it’s actually pretty simple.
It’s the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to take care of the repetitive parts of legal work, like handling intake requests, routing matters to the right person, generating documents, and keeping everything organized in one place.
Instead of juggling emails, spreadsheets, and follow-ups, legal teams can set up smart workflows that do the heavy lifting for them.
Let’s walk through how legal AI automation works, what features to look for, where it fits into day-to-day legal operations, and how platforms like Checkbox make it easy to get started.
What is Legal AI Automation?
Legal AI Automation Definition
Legal AI automation is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to manage and streamline routine legal tasks through smart, rules-based workflows.
Legal AI automation is all about using smart legal technology to handle tasks that don’t need a legal’s brainpower. Think of it like setting up a system that knows how to respond to different types of legal requests, where to send them, and what to do next.
In practice, legal AI automation takes in a request, understands what it’s about, and kicks off the right steps based on pre-set logic. That might mean generating a contract, sending an approval to the right team, or logging a matter in a dashboard for tracking.
⚠️ It’s important to note that legal AI automation isn’t a replacement for legal judgment.
Instead, it’s designed to support legal professionals by taking repetitive, low-value tasks
off their plate, such as answering routine questions from the business, generating standard
documents, chasing down missing details, or manually sorting incoming matters.
How Does Legal AI Automation Work?
Legal AI automation works by combining a few smart technologies behind the scenes to handle tasks that usually eat up time.
At a high level, it takes in a legal request, figures out what needs to happen, and then follows a workflow to get it done (without someone needing to step in at every stage).
For example, say someone from the business needs an NDA. Instead of emailing legal and waiting for a reply, they fill out a quick form. The system recognizes it’s an NDA request, checks the inputs, and instantly generates a pre-approved version. If something needs review, it can route the document to someone from the legal team. If not, it can send the NDA straight to the requester.
Behind the scenes, legal AI automation works using things like:
- Natural language processing (NLP) to understand written requests
- Decision trees and logic flows to route matters or trigger actions
- Automated document generation using templates
- Real-time tracking and dashboards to keep everything visible
- Integrations with tools like email, Slack, or CLM software for live data flow
Key Features of Legal AI Automation Tools
The best legal AI automation tools have a few key features in common. Here’s what to look for:
📥 Smart Intake and Triage
AI-powered intake and triage features let the business submit requests via two main ways: guided forms or AI legal chatbot. Based on the inputs, the system can figure out what kind of help is needed and route it to the right person or process.
↪️ Automated Workflows
You can set up logic-based workflows that handle approvals, generate documents, assign tasks, or move legal requests along. This eliminates the need for manual follow-ups and legal input for routine processes and FAQs.
📑 Document Automation
Legal AI tools can generate contracts, NDAs, and other templates automatically, using the information provided by the business.
Related Article: Learn about the role of AI in contract lifecycle management and how it helps automate the contract process from beginning to end.
📊 Real-Time Dashboards and Tracking
Live dashboards with analytics and matter tracking allow legal teams to see what’s coming in, who’s working on what, and where things are stuck (from one centralized platform).
⚙️ Customizable, No-Code Setup
Some vendors, such as Checkbox, enable legal teams to build and change workflows on their own with visual drag-and-drop tools so they don’t need to rely on IT. This makes it easy to adapt the tool as your needs grow or shift.
🔌 Integrations with Everyday Tools
The best legal AI workflow automation systems connect with tools your team already uses (i.e. email, Slack, Ironclad, Salesforce) so nothing gets lost in between.
Legal AI Automation Use Cases
Legal AI automation really shines when it’s applied to the day-to-day tasks that tend to pile up. These are the kinds of requests that are frequent, follow a pattern, and don’t always need hands-on legal input. Automating them frees up time for legal and makes it easier for the business to get what they need quickly. Here are a few common use cases:
NDAs and Simple Contracts
Let the business generate pre-approved agreements through a self-service system.
Users fill out a form or have a conversation with an AI chatbot, and the system analyzes the information, understands what needs to be populated, and creates the contract without legal needing to step in.
💡Pro Tip: If you already use a CLM tool, consider connecting legal AI automation to your contract intake process. Automating how contracts are submitted, triaged, and routed ensures your CLM system only receives complete, qualified requests.
Marketing and Compliance Approvals
Set up a workflow that guides teams through required reviews, collects the right info, and routes it to legal only when needed.
For example, let’s say marketing needs legal to review the copy for claims or disclaimers. With legal AI automation, they simply have to fill out and submit an intake form and the system will route the request to the right reviewer, track it’s status, and send updates along the way.
Employment and HR Requests
Automate things like contract changes, policy acknowledgements, or employee-related matters that follow standard procedures.
Imagine a hiring manager needs to tweak compensation terms for a candidate. They can select the relevant role in a self-service workflow, answer a few questions, and get an updated offer letter instantly.
Internal Self-Service Tools
Create guided self-service portals and leverage a legal AI chatbot for FAQs, legal checklists, or compliance certifications so the business can find answers without waiting on legal.
For instance, instead of messaging legal for the same policy info again and again, teams can ask an AI legal chatbot (directly available in communication tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams) that talks them through the answers, points them to company guidelines, or shares links to the right policy documents.
Benefits of Legal AI Automation for In-House Teams
When routine tasks are automated, in-house teams can be more responsive, more strategic, and more in control of their workload. Here’s how that shows up day to day:
- Faster turnaround for the business
- Less time spent on repetitive work
- Clear visibility into all legal work
- Better collaboration with other departments
- Data to support resourcing and reporting
- Scalability without burnout
Legal AI Automation with Checkbox
Checkbox makes legal AI automation easy to roll out (and even easier to manage), without needing technical help or complex software. It’s built specifically for in-house legal teams, so everything is designed to match the way you already work. Here’s how Checkbox helps:
- Guided intake with smart, customizable forms
- Multi-channel request capture and triage
- No-code workflow automation
- AI-powered chatbot for legal self-service
- Real-time matter tracking
- Centralized legal workspace
With Checkbox, legal teams are unlocking more time, better insights, and smoother workflows via automation.
If you’ve been thinking about streamlining your legal operations, now’s a great time to start.
Book a demo today to see how Checkbox can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is legal AI automation different from standard legal automation?
Standard legal automation typically follows fixed rules and templates, while legal AI automation uses intelligent technology (i.e. natural language processing and machine learning) to interpret inputs and make decisions dynamically. This allows for more flexible, scalable workflows that can adapt to real-world legal scenarios.
Is legal AI automation only suitable for large, complex legal departments?
No, legal AI automation is just as valuable for lean and mid-sized legal teams. It helps lean teams handle growing workloads efficiently without increasing headcount or sacrificing responsiveness.
What types of data or inputs are required to get value from legal AI tools?
Basic data like request types, matter details, and business unit inputs are enough to power most legal AI workflows. Over time, usage data and outcomes can further improve automation accuracy and reporting.
Can AI-powered legal automation adapt to evolving legal and regulatory changes?
Yes, many tools allow you to update logic, workflows, and content without coding, so you can quickly respond to regulatory changes. With AI-driven platforms, legal teams can remain agile and compliant as requirements shift.
How can legal teams validate the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated outputs?
Legal teams should review and test AI workflows regularly, using internal policies and legal guidelines as benchmarks. Most platforms also offer audit logs and approval steps to ensure human oversight where needed.
Why do in-house teams choose Checkbox for implementing legal AI automation?
Checkbox offers no-code tools, smart intake, and AI-powered self-service, all built specifically for in-house legal teams. It’s easy to implement, customizable without IT, and provides a single source of truth for all legal work.
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