Matthew Stringer, founder and CEO of Stridon
By Matthew Stringer, founder and CEO of Stridon [1], Legal Futures Associate
Generative AI across the legal sector has moved on quickly. This is no longer just about experimentation or exploring what might be possible. For law firms, the real challenge now is turning insight into action, and action into measurable value.
The landscape is moving fast
Law firms are not standing still. Over the last 12 months, there has been a wave of development in AI tools, legal platforms, and agent-led workflows. New integrations are constant, products are evolving quickly, and firms are being pulled in different directions by the noise in the market. That creates both opportunity and pressure.
There is clear potential to improve productivity, reduce friction in day-to-day work, and allow people to focus on the tasks that require real expertise. At the same time, there is a risk of investing in the wrong areas, moving too slowly, or chasing hype without developing value.
Interest in AI is no longer enough. Firms need a clear roadmap.
Why standing still is now a risk
Many firms are still trying to decide when to move. There is a natural temptation to wait for the market to settle, for tools to mature, or for governance to feel complete.
But perfection can often be the enemy of progress.
The market is moving too quickly to wait whilst competitive pressure is also increasing. It is not just about competitor law firms. Clients are investing in AI too. In-house teams now have access to many of the same tools and are increasingly using them before work reaches external counsel.
There is also the issue of shadow AI. If firms do not provide a safe, governed way to use these tools, people will find their own way. That creates greater risk than starting properly with the right controls in place.
Standing still is no longer the safer option.
Start with people, not platforms
AI adoption is not just a technology decision. It is an organisational change.
The conversation often becomes too focused on tools, licenses, and features. But the more important question is how AI helps people work better.
Used well, it can improve productivity, reduce friction, and allow people to spend more time on the areas of their role that matter most. It can also support wellbeing by removing some of the repetitive or low-value work that fills the day.
This is the lens that firms should apply. Not just what the technology does, but what it enables people across your business to do.
A practical way to think about AI maturity
One way to cut through the noise is to think about AI adoption in stages:
- Broad generative AI assistants (such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude, or ChatGPT Enterprise) embedded into everyday work
- Agent-led workflows and automation
- Bespoke AI solutions built around specific needs
Many firms are tempted to jump ahead to more advanced use cases. But the first stage is where the foundations are built.
This is where different departments and teams learn how to use AI safely and effectively. It is where confidence and trust develop and where cultural acceptance begins to take shape.
Skipping this stage leaves a significant amount of value behind.
What a successful roadmap looks like
A strong roadmap does not need to be complex, but it does need structure.
The first step is readiness. Legal firms need to understand their current position: governance, policies, technical controls, and how AI links to the wider business strategy. Without that connection, AI risks becoming a side project rather than a meaningful driver of change.
The second step is building the right internal team. This means identifying sponsors and champions who can guide the approach and carry momentum across the organisation. They do not need to be technical experts, but they do need to bring others with them.
The third step is proving value. Before wide deployment, firms need space to test, learn, and refine their approach in a controlled way. This is where practical understanding develops and where its earliest benefits to your organisation becomes visible.
Why a change management strategy is so critical
The biggest barrier to effective AI use is not access to tools, but lack of an effective change management strategy, combined with practical training.
There is a strong interest in using AI, but not enough support to show what good use looks like. Without that, firms risk poor outputs, inconsistent use and wasted investment.
Training needs to be ongoing and practical. People need space to experiment safely, share what works, and learn from each other. This is what builds confidence and creates momentum across your firm.
Measure more than time saved
It is easy to focus on efficiency. Time saved is important, but it should not be the only measure of success.
The more meaningful signals are human. Are people engaging with the tools? Are they using them consistently? Is work quality improving? Are teams experiencing less friction in their day-to-day work?
These are the indicators that AI is being embedded in a meaningful way.
Over time, broad adoption becomes the real milestone. With that foundation in place, firms are in a much stronger position to explore more advanced use cases such as agents and automation.
The law firms that will get ahead
The firms that thrive with AI will not necessarily be those with the largest budgets or the most ambitious plans.
They will be the ones that take a pragmatic approach, start in the right place, and support their people properly. They will build capability over time and adapt as the market evolves.
They will not just buy AI. They will create conditions for it to succeed.
And in a market moving this quickly, that is what will make the difference.
Five things law firms can do now
To get started, focus on these five steps:
- Link AI to your business goals
Be clear on what you are trying to achieve as a firm and where AI can support that.
- Understand your current position
Look at how AI is already being used, where the risks are, and what controls are in place. - Build the right team
Identify leaders, sponsors, and champions who can drive progress. - Start small and prove value
Test AI in a controlled way, learn what works, and build confidence before scaling. - Support your people properly
Provide the training and guidance needed for safe, effective use.
Join our upcoming webinar series for UK law firms, where we’ll explore how to move from early experimentation to confident, practical adoption of Generative AI. Find out more here > https://insights.stridon.co.uk/-gen-ai-webinar-series-2026 [2].
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