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Unlocking Efficiency: The Modern Approach to Legal Operations with AI

Discover how in-house legal teams can leverage AI and streamlined workflows to enhance efficiency, improve scalability, and make better decisions.

Jarryd Strydom

August 23, 2025
Legal Operations with AI
Legal Operations with AI

Unlocking Efficiency: The Modern Approach to Legal Operations with AI

In today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape, the pressure is on for in-house teams to enhance efficiency while navigating an increasingly complex set of challenges. Recent studies show that over 60% of legal departments are looking to adopt technology solutions to streamline their workflows. Enter AI—an invaluable tool that can transform how legal teams operate.
As legal operations professionals, harnessing the power of AI not only simplifies daily tasks but also provides insights that drive strategic decision-making. It’s time to rethink how we approach legal operations, emphasizing smart technology and refined processes.
The Shift to AI-Driven Workflows
AI is not just a passing trend; it’s a game changer for legal teams seeking efficiency and scalability. Here’s how implementing AI can shift your operations:
  1. Automating Repetitive Tasks: Many legal teams spend a significant amount of time on repetitive, low-value tasks such as document review and contract management. Automating these processes frees up precious time, allowing legal professionals to focus on high-impact work.
  2. Data-Driven Insights: AI systems can aggregate and analyze vast amounts of data to provide actionable insights. This helps teams make informed decisions based on historical trends rather than gut feelings.
  3. Adaptive Workflows: With modular and layered workflows, teams can customize their operations to suit their specific needs. AI can help in adapting these workflows dynamically based on real-time data inputs and feedback.

Practical Applications: Automating Workflows with AI Agents

Consider a typical scenario where a legal team needs to review multiple vendor agreements. Using an AI-powered platform like Greyball, teams can automate the initial contract review phase. Here’s how this could play out:
  1. Document Ingestion: Upload all vendor agreements into the system.
  2. AI Analysis: The AI agent scans through the agreements for compliance language, key dates, and obligations, flagging any discrepancies.
  3. Tailored Reporting: Produce a detailed report outlining the identified risks and areas requiring further attention, saving time and ensuring no crucial details fall through the cracks.
By automating this process, teams not only expedite their workflow but also enhance their accuracy, minimizing inherent risks associated with manual oversight.

Measuring Success: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

While AI can revolutionize workflows, success in legal operations is best measured with quantifiable metrics. Here are several KPIs that legal teams should track to ensure they are on the right path:
  • Turnaround Time: Measure the time taken to complete key tasks before and after implementing AI tools.
  • Error Rate: Monitor any discrepancies in agreements pre- and post-AI integration to assess quality improvements.
  • Team Productivity: Evaluate the number of high-value tasks completed within the team, asserting the effectiveness of the new technology in enhancing operational capacity.
Tracking these KPIs will provide insight into the efficiency gains from your AI implementation, helping to inform future decisions and investments.

The Road Ahead: Embracing Legal Operations as a Strategic Function

In-house legal teams must view legal operations through a strategic lens. By integrating AI into your workflows, not only can you increase efficiency and productivity, but you also elevate the role of the legal team within your organization. The focus should be on achieving scalable, streamlined operations that support executive decision-making and foster a proactive approach to legal issues.
The journey to modernize legal operations can be daunting, but taking incremental steps with smart technology will ultimately cultivate a resilient and agile legal function.
Actionable Takeaway:
Start by assessing one repetitive task within your team's daily operations that could benefit from automation. Explore potential AI solutions that align with your objectives and experiment with integrating those tools into your existing workflows.

Conclusion: Building the Future of Legal Operations

Embracing AI and refining workflows is not merely about keeping pace with technological advancements; it is about building the foundation for better legal work. By prioritizing efficiency and effectiveness, legal teams can make substantial strides towards operational excellence. Position your team as a proactive partner within your organization, equipped to handle the complexities of modern legal challenges.
With platforms like Sandstone, your legal operations will become the bedrock for strategic initiatives, allowing your team to focus on creating value and driving business objectives forward. It’s time to unlock the full potential of your legal operations.

About Jarryd Strydom

Jarryd Strydom is a contributor to the Sandstone blog.