From Pilots to Playbooks: AI in Practice Management

Why It Matters

Embedding AI into practice management reshapes legal workflows, boosts efficiency, and safeguards client data, making it a strategic imperative for modern law firms.

Key Takeaways

• AI adoption requires firm-wide champions and clear governance.
• Internal platforms like Athena enable tailored, scalable AI solutions.
• Practice management must embed AI into repeatable matter workflows.
• Training simulations should provide instant feedback and fit lawyers’ schedules.
• Client consent and data security are critical for AI‑driven services.

Summary

The IL fireside chat explored how law firms are transitioning AI from experimental pilots to embedded practice‑management tools. Panelists from Troutman Pepper, Loenstein, and a legal‑training startup discussed the cultural, technical, and governance shifts required for AI to become a routine part of legal work.

Key insights included the necessity of firm‑wide AI champions—especially at the partner and knowledge‑management level—to drive adoption, and the value of internal platforms such as Troutman’s Athena, a firm‑wide generative‑AI hub, and bespoke tools like MobileOne and Engage that streamline resource access and workload allocation. Practice managers emphasized building repeatable, risk‑aware workflows and embedding AI into matter design, budgeting, and staffing from the outset.

Examples highlighted the contrast between off‑the‑shelf vendor solutions and custom‑built applications, noting that internal tools can be tailored to firm needs but demand cross‑functional coordination with security, architecture, and training teams. Mike Kotchkin illustrated how AI‑powered simulations provide immediate feedback loops, addressing traditional legal training’s weak reinforcement and timing constraints. The discussion also underscored the importance of obtaining explicit client permission and respecting data‑use restrictions, especially for AI‑centric clients.

The implications are clear: firms that invest in governance, develop or integrate AI platforms, redesign matter architectures, and cultivate a supportive training culture will gain efficiency, risk mitigation, and competitive advantage, while those that treat AI as a peripheral add‑on risk lagging behind both clients and peers.

Original Description

This session explored how AI is evolving from early experimentation into a core component of day-to-day practice management across both law firms and their clients. Speakers shared real-world examples of how AI is being used to analyze attorney performance by matter type, enhance dashboards and reporting for internal stakeholders, and uncover insights from large, complex data sets.

The conversation focused on practical lessons learned, including best practices for aligning AI with practice-specific goals and strategies for navigating common challenges. Listeners will leave with actionable guidance on moving beyond isolated pilots and building scalable, repeatable AI approaches in practice management.

Moderator:

Daniel Wood, Director of Counsel Assistance, Womble Bond Dickinson

Speakers:

-Mike Kochkin, CEO, BeSavvy Simulators

-Damian Priamurskiy, Legal Project Manager, Lowenstein Sandler LLP

-Ashley Smith, Platform Innovation Manager, Troutman Pepper Locke