How I'm Using (and Stress-Testing) AI in My Legal World
There’s no denying it—artificial intelligence is changing the way we think, work, and communicate. For the legal sector, it’s no longer a question of if AI will be adopted, but how.
As someone studying law, working full time, delivering consultancy services, a suite of other courses and building a future-facing legal career, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to the practical ways AI tools—like ChatGPT, legal research assistants, and contract review platforms—can support (not replace) human legal reasoning.
In this post, I want to share where I’ve found AI genuinely useful, where I’ve seen its limits, and how I’m using it to enhance both my learning and my legal work.
Legal Drafting Support
Let’s start with the most obvious: drafting.
AI tools like ChatGPT have become part of my initial workflow for:
- Creating first-draft summaries of legal issues or judgments
- Translating complex legal jargon into plain English
- Brainstorming variations of contractual clauses or policy language
They don’t give me finished work—but they absolutely help me get started. I still do the heavy lifting: refining language, checking sources, and adjusting for tone, context, and legal precision. But AI removes the friction of the blank page.
Legal Research Efficiency
I still rely on Westlaw and LexisNexis for formal legal research. That said, I sometimes use AI to:
- Generate quick overviews of legal doctrines before diving into case law
- Clarify the meaning of a term or concept in plain language
- Draft questions I want to explore further using primary sources
For example, if I’m about to research “constructive dismissal,” I might use ChatGPT to sketch out the basic definition, common fact patterns, and key tests—then jump into the actual cases from there.
It’s not about shortcuts. It’s about speeding up the warm-up phase so I can spend more time engaging with the real substance.
Revision & Study Aid
As a full-time law student, I use AI tools to:
- Generate sample problem questions for practice
- Convert my revision notes into quizzes or flashcards
- Summarise key legal tests or cases in digestible formats
It’s an incredibly efficient way to create active recall tools or simplify dense material when my brain is at capacity. And because I’m in control of the input, I can tailor the output to exactly what I need.
Legal Document Review (Lightweight)
For consultancy work and internal documentation, I’ve experimented with AI tools to:
- Check for inconsistent formatting in policies
- Suggest language improvements for clarity or inclusivity
- Compare two versions of a document for subtle differences
This isn’t at the level of enterprise-grade contract analysis platforms like Luminance or ThoughtRiver, but for small businesses or solo practices, it’s a meaningful step forward.
What AI Can’t Do (Yet)
As useful as AI can be, I don’t let it run the show. Here’s where I draw the line:
- Fact-checking: I never trust AI to confirm legal citations, case outcomes, or statute references. I verify everything through primary sources.
- Contextual reasoning: AI doesn’t know the client’s background, commercial objectives, or the regulatory environment you’re operating in. That’s my job.
- Ethical nuance: It can offer perspectives, but it can’t weigh competing duties, assess reputational risk, or understand professional codes of conduct.
In short: AI is a powerful assistant. Not a decision-maker.
My Approach to Using AI in Law
Here’s how I keep my use of AI effective and responsible:
- Start with the question, not the tool.
I ask myself: “What do I need to understand, create, or clarify?” Then I decide whether AI can help. - Always verify.
If AI offers information, I double-check it using legislation, case law, or academic commentary. - Use it to think better, not less.
I treat AI like a study partner who’s fast but not always right. Helpful for discussion—never final judgment.
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t going to replace lawyers—but lawyers who understand AI will have a competitive edge. Whether you’re a student, a solo practitioner, or a growing firm, there are real use cases that can save you time, spark new ideas, and keep your workflow moving.
The key is to stay curious, stay cautious, and above all—stay human.