The Ai-Enabled Law Firm - by Carole Stern Switzer & Lee Dittmar (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Planning for the effective integration and management of AI within a global law firm or corporate legal department represents a significant commitment - one that will undoubtedly consume substantial time, resources, and ongoing attention from leadership. This investment may initially appear as an unwelcome expansion of non-billable overhead, leading some to question its value proposition against traditional legal service delivery models. However, this planning process is not merely advisable but essential in a legal landscape where technological adaptation has become a competitive necessity rather than a discretionary advantage.

The considered implementation of AI governance frameworks, training programs, and ethical guidelines serves multiple critical functions: It mitigates potentially severe regulatory, liability, and reputational risks that could arise from unstructured AI adoption; it creates the foundation for more efficient legal operations that will ultimately enhance client value; and it positions the organization to thrive amid unprecedented technological disruption that is already transforming client expectations, competitor capabilities, and the fundamental economics of legal practice. What may seem like an administrative burden today represents the scaffolding upon which tomorrow's successful legal enterprises will be built.

Review Quotes

"The AI-Enabled Law Firm is a ground-breaking work that delivers exactly what law firm leaders, general counsels, and legal operations professionals need right now: a comprehensive blueprint for responsible AI implementation. Just two years ago, law firm leaders were asking whether their firms should adopt AI. Now, they are asking how their firms can best use AI. Dittmar and Switzer move beyond the 'whether' question to tackle the harder 'how' challenges - data governance, ethical oversight, workforce transformation, client communications, and more. The law practices that thrive will build institutional capabilities for continuous innovation, not just for deploying tools. This book provides the framework to make that transition successfully. Whether you're leading AI strategy or simply want to understand how AI will reshape your practice, this is essential reading for any lawyer preparing for the future of the profession."

- Peter Tucci, partner, Fox Rothschild LLP

"This book gives law firms, legal departments, and future lawyers a structured and forward-looking path through a profession undergoing rapid change. Dittmar and Switzer highlight the essential role of strategy, data readiness, governance, and workforce design in building a modern legal practice. Their guidance supports readers at every stage of the journey from early uncertainty to disciplined implementation. This is the resource the profession has been waiting for as it seeks a clear and reliable direction."

- Marcia Narine Weldon, professor, University of Miami School of Law