LexisNexis®, a leading global provider of legal information and analytics, released a new report – The AI culture clash. The findings show adoption of AI tools is accelerating at pace, with 61% of lawyers now using AI in their day-to-day work compared to 46% in January 2025. At the same time, the proportion of lawyers with no plans to adopt AI has dropped from 15% to just 6%.
While adoption is surging, confidence and culture are lagging. Only 17% of lawyers say that AI is fully embedded in strategy and operations, with two-thirds reporting their organisation’s AI culture is slow or non-existent.
Among those already using AI, just over half (51%) have chosen tools designed specifically for the legal sector – such as Lexis+ AI – particularly those from medium-sized firms (70%). Confidence in AI rises significantly when it is grounded in trusted legal sources: 88% of those using legal AI exclusively said they feel more confident in its output.
Private practice lawyers are using the time saved by AI to both drive commercial outcomes and improve wellbeing. Over half (56%) reported spending the extra time saved using AI to increase billable work, while 53% said they have used the time to enjoy a better work-life balance.
Priorities differ by firm size and role. Large firms focus on commercial gains, while smaller firms value wellbeing more highly. Across all firm sizes, associates are prioritising increasing billable hours over enjoying a work-life balance.
AI is also accelerating changes to billing models. Almost half (47%) of lawyers now agree AI will transform how firms bill for legal services, up from 40% earlier this year. Law firm leaders and general counsel are particularly attuned to this shift, with 55% and 49% respectively expecting billing models to change.
The findings also suggest a clear talent retention risk for firms that lag behind. Nearly one in five (18%) private practice lawyers and in-house counsel (19%) said they would consider leaving their organisation if it failed to adequately invest in AI. This figure rose to 26% among those at large law firms.
Career concerns are significant: 39% of private practice lawyers and 49% of in-house counsel believe failing to engage with AI would harm their careers.
Commenting on the findings, Stuart Greenhill, Senior Director of Segment Management at LexisNexis UK, said: “Lawyers are proving that AI delivers clear commercial returns. They’re using it to increase billable hours, rethink pricing models, and deliver more value to clients. Firms that treat AI as a strategic investment, not just an efficiency tool, will gain a decisive edge in profitability and client satisfaction.”
