Legal & Operations · Ben Buzz · Jan 16, 2026

The Role of AI in Legal Operations: Opportunities for Teams

Tonkean recently launched its AI-powered Contracts Hub, while Dyspute.ai introduced the AI Mediator Adri V2, both aimed at automating and simplifying legal tasks. Tools like real-time alerts and AI-powered data management enable quicker access to information, with innovations such as Tonkean's Contracts Hub and Dyspute.ai's Mediator Adri V2 automating tasks.

In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into legal operations has become increasingly prevalent, offering various opportunities for teams to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. As legal departments face mounting pressure to perform faster and reduce costs, AI presents a valuable tool in streamlining processes and improving outcomes.

Enhancing Efficiency with AI Tools

AI tools such as real-time alerts on litigation, unlimited complaint access, and expert case summaries are transforming how legal teams operate. These tools enable teams to quickly access essential information and stay informed of developments as they occur. AI-enhanced trend detection further aids legal professionals by identifying patterns and insights that can inform strategic decisions.

Tonkean recently launched its AI-powered Contracts Hub, while Dyspute.ai introduced the AI Mediator Adri V2, both aimed at automating and simplifying legal tasks. These innovations align with the growing interest in automating legal tasks, which is driven by the need to optimize performance and cut costs.

Improving Legal Data Management

AI is significantly impacting legal data management by expediting data retrieval and storage. Legal data can now be stored in-house, with AI facilitating document review and multilingual translation capabilities. This enables legal teams to access and analyze information more efficiently, potentially retrieving data twice as fast compared to traditional methods.

AI systems also assist in extracting key clauses and evidence, which is critical for legal operations across 45 countries. Automated litigation risk reporting and triage-style software for legal requests further streamline processes, allowing legal teams to manage risks and requests more effectively.

Training and Innovation in Legal AI

To support the integration of AI in legal operations, a focus on training and innovation has emerged. Partnerships with institutions such as IE and Harvard Law have been established to provide training and ensure AI literacy among legal professionals. Mandatory training for AI literacy has been implemented, ensuring that legal teams can effectively leverage AI tools in their work.

Repsol's legal department, for example, has accelerated its use of AI, resulting in significant time savings for its lawyers, who save up to six hours weekly. The legal operations startup, which focuses on compliance tasks, is expanding its legal and engineering teams to further develop agentic AI solutions for legal operations.

AI and Legal Industry Events

AI's role in legal operations is a key topic at industry events such as the Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards 2026, held on April 14, 2026, in Chicago, IL, and the General Counsel Conference Midwest 2026. Additionally, the Legalweek New York event provides a platform for discussing AI's impact on the legal industry.

Harvey's expansion of its legal AI partnership to UK law schools reflects the growing importance of AI in legal education and its influence on client relationships in the legal industry. As AI continues to shape legal operations, it presents both challenges and opportunities for legal teams worldwide.

As AI continues to shape legal operations, it presents both challenges and opportunities for legal teams worldwide.

FAQs

How much time can AI save legal teams weekly?
AI can save lawyers up to 6 hours per week in their legal tasks, as reported by Repsol's legal department.
How does AI affect legal data retrieval speed?
AI can retrieve legal data twice as fast compared to traditional methods, enhancing efficiency in legal operations.
In how many countries are legal operations active?
Legal operations are currently active in 45 countries worldwide.
What are some AI tools used in legal operations?
AI tools include real-time alerts on litigation, unlimited complaint access, and expert case summaries, which help streamline legal processes.
What role does training play in AI integration for legal teams?
Mandatory training for AI literacy is essential to ensure legal teams can effectively leverage AI tools in their work.
What innovations have been introduced to automate legal tasks?
Innovations such as Tonkean's AI-powered Contracts Hub and Dyspute.ai's AI Mediator Adri V2 aim to automate and simplify various legal tasks.
What is a benefit of AI in legal data management?
AI facilitates faster document review and multilingual translation, allowing legal teams to access and analyze information more efficiently.