Many predictions about artificial intelligence (AI) and the legal profession suggest dramatic changes. From the end of billable hours to robots replacing lawyers, these projections vary widely. Optimists believe AI tools could improve legal equity by offering underserved communities accessible, much-needed legal information.
Although I want to believe this, I remain skeptical that altruism can surpass capitalism. Yet, the growing wave of tools aimed at closing the access-to-justice gap might just prove me wrong.
How can AI improve access to justice?
AI tools can expand to justice in several ways. First, AI-powered platforms increase law firm efficiency, enabling lawyers to handle more cases. These tools also make representation more affordable and effective. Categories include document management, law practice management, legal billing, legal research, contract analysis, brief writing and more.
Efficiency Tools for Law Firm Workflows
AI can streamline workflows for attorneys serving underserved communities, like those in legal aid or family and criminal courts. By reducing redundant tasks, these tools enable lawyers to represent more clients.
AI-powered chatbots also help consumers access legal information directly. Navigating complex court systems is difficult even for experienced litigators. Court websites with user-friendly interfaces can simplify processes and improve access.
Issues to consider when choosing AI-powered software
AI tools for legal organizations require careful consideration. Because AI software is cloud-based, you’ll entrust confidential data to a third party. Before choosing a provider, evaluate their data handling, storage locations, access protocols, and backup practices.
Assess accuracy rates, data protection measures, and whether your data will train AI models. These factors are critical when adopting AI for legal workflows.
Tools for public interest organizations
One way to ensure access to justice is to equip legal professionals with tools to make their work easier and effective.
Some companies have developed AI-powered tools tailored to the needs and budgets of legal services providers for underserved populations. These tools address pain points, helping legal professionals manage high caseloads. Notable examples include:
- LawDroid Copilot: A generative AI assistant with pricing starting at $19 per user per month; it can conduct legal research, draft and summarize documents and correspondence, and analyze motions.
- JusticeText: A software platform designed to help public defenders and criminal defense attorneys analyze and transcribe video and audio evidence.
- Descrybe.ai: A free generative AI search engine available in English and Spanish with a database of caselaw from more than 3 million state and federal judicial opinions.
Expanding AI Access Through Subsidized Programs
Initiatives like Thomson Reuters’ AI for Justice Legal Aid program and Everlaw for Good are helping bridge the access-to-justice gap.
These programs offer subsidized or free access to software that significantly enhances efficiency. They equip professionals with tools for research, drafting, and evidence review. nonprofits and pro bono programs can expand representation, reduce costs, and maximize impact.
AI-powered Tools for legal consumers
Another approach to tackling access-to-justice challenges is offering legal consumers tools to solve legal issues without hiring an attorney.
Certain matters are simple enough for people to represent themselves with AI tools designed to simplify complex legal processes.
The tools below help underserved communities by providing AI-driven platforms to make legal processes easier to navigate:
- Beagle+: A contract analysis tool that uses AI to simplify the review and interpretation of complex legal agreements.
- Hello Divorce: A platform designed to streamline the divorce process, offering self-help tools, legal education and optional access to attorneys.
- JustFix: A tenant-focused app that helps renters document housing issues and take action against landlords violating their rights.
Generative AI Chatbots: Simplifying Legal Navigation
Generative AI chatbots help courts and legal aid organizations bridge the access-to-justice gap by providing accessible legal information.
These chatbots offer self-represented litigants procedural guidance, court resources, and answers tailored to their needs. By automating routine tasks, they reduce court staff workloads and empower people to navigate the legal system.
Examples of AI-powered chatbots include:
- Legal Information Assistant: A generative AI chatbot offered by Legal Aid of North Carolina that provides answers to legal questions in English and Spanish.
- Nevada Supreme Court’s AI chatbot: This generative AI tool offers legal guidance in multiple languages, helping people understand their legal options and procedural steps.
- Missouri Tenant Help: This online screening tool helps Missouri tenants determine eligibility for legal assistance before connecting with program staff.
- SANDI (Self-Help Assistant Navigator for Digital Interactions): A chatbot on the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida’s website that provides AI-powered assistance to people navigating the legal system.
- Rentervention: An AI virtual assistant launched by the Law Center for Better Housing, the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation and the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois that helps tenants in Illinois access information and resources on housing rights.
- Roxanne: An AI-powered tool designed to assist tenants in addressing housing repair issues effectively in New York.
Challenges and Opportunities in AI for Access-to-Justice
AI technology holds tremendous potential to empower legal professionals and the public with innovative tools and resources.
These tools reflect a commitment to developing AI for social good despite challenges like data security, ethical issues, and profitability concerns.
While time will determine if AI fully meets expectations, these solutions offer hope for a more accessible legal system.
Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York-based attorney, author and journalist, and she is the principal legal insight strategist at MyCase, a company that offers legal practice management software for small firms. She is the nationally recognized author of Cloud Computing for Lawyers and is co-author of Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier, both published by the American Bar Association. She writes regular columns for ABAJournal.com and Above the Law, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @nikiblack.
This column reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily the views of the ABA Journal—or the American Bar Association.
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