In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping every industry, the legal profession stands at a pivotal crossroads. Building on the successful adoption of predictive coding and machine learning in everyday practice, AI is revolutionizing how legal professionals approach e-discovery and litigation. Yet, even as these technologies grow increasingly sophisticated, one truth remains immutable: the human element is essential.

The future of e-discovery and litigation isn’t about AI replacing people—it’s about creating a partnership where AI and human expertise combine their strengths to deliver superior legal outcomes. By leveraging AI to enhance efficiency while relying on people for nuanced judgment and strategic thinking, the legal profession can achieve a balance that is both innovative and client focused.

AI: A Force Multiplier, not a Replacement

AI excels at performing tasks that are time-consuming, repetitive, or data intensive. In the context of e-discovery and litigation, its capabilities are transformative, as illustrated by the following examples:

1. Rapid Document Review - AI algorithms can analyze and categorize thousands—or even millions—of documents far faster than human reviewers. This dramatically reduces the time and cost associated with document review and production.
2. Enhanced Accuracy – AI enhances accuracy by identifying patterns and anomalies in the data set that may elude human reviewers.
3. Streamlined Workflows - AI-powered tools automate tasks such as document tagging, privilege review flagging, and analysis of deposition exhibits and transcripts. This enables lawyers to concentrate on high-value tasks, such as crafting compelling arguments and engaging with experts or clients.

Using these AI tools will allow legal professionals to focus on higher-level strategic thinking, creativity, and enhancing client relationships. However, while these capabilities will fundamentally change how legal professionals conduct e-discovery reviews, these tools need human oversight. For example, in the document review context, a proper quality control review process must be in place to ensure that privileged materials are not misclassified and other nuanced legal language is not overlooked. Importantly, the effectiveness of these AI tools is directly tied to the skill, oversight, and judgment of human users. Indeed, when utilized properly, AI empowers legal professionals rather than disrupts or replaces their roles.

The Indispensable Human Touch

The legal profession is deeply rooted in human expertise, experience, judgment, and advocacy. While AI tools provide significant efficiency and valuable support, they primarily enhance skilled legal professionals' nuanced understanding, critical thinking, and ethical judgment. These legal AI tools were designed to be highly analytical and quickly digest massive amounts of data and should be paired with a human’s ability to exercise discretion and interpret emotional context cues, which are foundational elements of law practice and zealous advocacy.

Take, for instance, the document review process. While AI tools can efficiently flag potentially relevant documents, legal professionals have the essential skill to interpret the context and nuances of the information uncovered. Determining whether a flagged document, such as an email, represents critical evidence often requires understanding the participants' motivations and intentions, the broader implications tied to its content, and the specific context within the case strategy.

Here are the areas where humans remain irreplaceable:

1. Strategic Judgment - Lawyers craft arguments and litigation strategies based on a holistic understanding of the case, the opposing party, and the specific judge or jury.
2. Contextual Understanding and Interpretation – Deposition preparation often involves navigating subtext, ambiguity, and human intent. AI tools can assist by flagging a document as potentially significant, while an experienced trial lawyer is needed to interpret the subtle nuances of language, assess evidence within a case’s narrative, or prepare a witness for challenging testimony.
3. Communication and Advocacy - Litigation is ultimately a human endeavor. Lawyers build relationships with clients, opposing counsel, and the court. They provide emotional support, build trust, and advocate for their clients’ interests.
4. Creative Problem-Solving - Legal challenges often require innovative and out-of-the-box thinking driven by human ingenuity, creativity, and adaptability.

Developing a Collaborative Partnership

The most promising future for the legal industry lies in a collaborative model in which legal professionals and AI work in tandem. This requires a shift in mindset—embracing AI not as a threat but as a complementary tool that amplifies human productivity. Legal professionals must recognize that these tools can significantly enhance their productivity and improve the quality of their work. For example, AI document review tools like Relativity’s aiR for Review can identify key documents with critical case issues.

From an e-discovery perspective, legal professionals can utilize these tools throughout the document review and litigation process. I have integrated AI into many aspects of my daily work and have found it to be especially helpful in the following ways:

• Aid in the development of review protocols.
• Gain deeper insights into a dispute.
• Assist with the identification of critical case issues.
• Outline potential categories of documents that may contain relevant information.

In addition, leveraging AI tools has greatly enhanced my understanding of the case, improved my communication skills, made me more organized, and encouraged greater use of other productivity tools like Microsoft OneNote. Here is how this collaboration with AI can flourish:

1. AI as an Assistant, not a Replacement – Legal professionals should treat AI as a tool that enhances their abilities rather than replaces them. Use AI to manage repetitive, time-intensive tasks, such as document review and analysis, thereby freeing time for strategic thinking and client interaction.
2. Training and Oversight - AI tools are only as good as the data and instructions they receive. Lawyers must supervise the training of AI systems, validate their outputs, and ensure accuracy and relevance. Regular sampling and quality control are essential to avoid errors.
3. Focus on Judgment and Advocacy - While AI handles the technical aspects of data analysis, lawyers should focus on judgment-driven tasks, such as crafting arguments, negotiating settlements, and managing client expectations.
4. Tech Fluency and Continuous Learning - Legal professionals must stay informed about the latest advancements in AI to use these tools effectively. Regular training and collaboration with technologists can foster innovation and efficiency.
5. Enhancing Creativity - AI can uncover hidden connections and anticipate legal arguments. Lawyers can then evaluate these findings and incorporate them into their legal strategies.

The Future of E-Discovery and Litigation

Legal professionals will be instrumental in advancing the effectiveness of AI tools. For example, certain areas of law involve highly technical and specialized documentation, and AI tools require ongoing refinement to meet the unique needs of these practice areas. Our team is actively enhancing and customizing these tools to ensure their functionality aligns more closely with the specific demands of legal professionals in these specialized areas. These efforts reflect our commitment to integrating AI solutions that complement and enhance human expertise and uphold the legal profession's core principles and values.

As AI advances, the human element will remain indispensable to practicing law. AI offers valuable assistance, enabling legal professionals to produce high-quality work faster and more efficiently. However, the unique “human touch” that defines the legal profession—such as empathy, emotional intelligence, judgment, and strategic insight—continues to play a vital role.

The future of e-discovery and litigation lies in integrating AI and human expertise, leveraging their combined strengths for improved efficiency and accuracy. Legal professionals can navigate modern litigation more effectively by fostering collaboration, valuing human judgment and expertise, and using AI strategically. In this evolving landscape, legal professionals and AI will work together, redefining possibilities and advancing the profession.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this blog is not intended as legal advice or as an opinion on specific facts. For more information about these issues, please contact the author(s) of this blog or your existing LitSmart contact. The invitation to contact the author is not to be construed as a solicitation for legal work. Any new attorney/client relationship will be confirmed in writing.