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One of the questions I am most frequently asked—particularly by clients and other nonlawyers—is how we are actually using artificial intelligence in the practice of law. For me, AI is no longer a theoretical concept or future-facing tool; it has become an everyday part of my practice. I use it multiple times each day to enhance efficiency, improve organization, and support the delivery of high-quality legal work.Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the practice of law. At Michael Best, we have embraced this evolution thoughtfully and strategically—focusing on how AI can enhance high-quality legal representation and create greater efficiency to benefit our clients.<h2>A Measured, Practice-Driven Approach to AI</h2>Michael Best has made a significant investment in AI tools and training across the firm, including broad deployment of Microsoft Copilot and expansion of Harvey, a platform specifically designed for legal workflows. This adoption reflects a deliberate effort to integrate AI into day-to-day legal practice in a practical and responsible way.&nbsp;In my own practice, I use AI tools multiple times each day. Tools such as Copilot and Harvey are embedded into our workflows and assist with a wide range of tasks, including:<ul style="list-style-type: disc"><li>Generating first drafts of pleadings, motions, and correspondence</li><li>Summarizing complex records and legal authorities</li><li>Organizing arguments and structuring written work product</li></ul>These tools allow us to handle the execution-level components of legal work more efficiently, freeing up time to focus on strategy, judgment, and client advocacy.<h2>Efficiency Without Compromising Quality</h2><h2></h2><div>It is important to emphasize that artificial intelligence is not replacing lawyers; rather, it enhances the work we do. All AI-generated work product is carefully reviewed, edited, and refined by experienced attorneys before it is provided to a client or presented to a court. In particular, all legal citations are independently reviewed and verified by an attorney, given AI’s tendency to generate inaccurate or non-existent authority. This review process ensures that the legal analysis is accurate, tailored to the specific matter, grounded in sound judgment, and consistent with the highest professional standards.In practical terms, AI enables us to deliver work more efficiently while maintaining—and often improving—the quality of our advice. For example, the use of tools such as Harvey (a secure legal AI platform) has reduced drafting time in certain contexts, allowing attorneys to reallocate that time toward deeper legal research, more rigorous analysis, and the refinement of arguments. In the fast-paced environment of litigation, even modest efficiencies can be meaningful, enabling us to focus more intently on the issues that drive outcomes and to elevate the overall quality of the work product.</div><h2>What Sets Michael Best Apart</h2>Our approach is distinguished not just by adoption, but by how we implement AI:<ul style="list-style-type: disc"><li>Secure platforms: We use firm-approved systems such as Copilot and Harvey that are configured to protect confidentiality.</li><li>Training and governance: Our attorneys participate in ongoing training and best-practice development to ensure responsible use.</li><li>Workflow integration: AI is incorporated into structured legal workflows, rather than used in an ad hoc or unsupervised manner.</li></ul>This combination allows us to capture the benefits of AI while protecting attorney-client privilege and maintaining strict confidentiality standards.<h2>A Changing Landscape in the Legal Industry</h2>A few months ago, I attended a conference that brought together senior level outside counsel and in-house attorneys. One of the most notable takeaways was the divergence in how quickly organizations are adopting AI.Many corporations—and their in-house legal teams—are already using AI tools extensively to increase efficiency and reduce costs. In contrast, a meaningful number of law firms still have broad prohibitions on AI use.In my view, that gap is unlikely to persist. Firms that fail to adopt AI thoughtfully risk falling behind in both efficiency and client service. Over time, clients will increasingly expect their outside counsel to leverage technology that allows them to deliver faster, more cost-effective results.<h2>The Client Impact</h2>For clients, the benefits of our approach are straightforward:<ul style="list-style-type: disc"><li>Greater efficiency: Tasks that once required substantial manual effort can now be completed more quickly, resulting in meaningful cost savings for hourly clients.</li><li>Cost alignment: Increased efficiency translates into better alignment between time spent and value delivered.</li><li>Enhanced focus on strategy: Attorneys can devote more time to high-level analysis, case strategy, and business outcomes.</li></ul>In short, AI enables us to work smarter without sacrificing the rigor and judgment that define effective legal representation.<h2>Choosing the Right Partner</h2>As AI becomes more prevalent in the legal industry, it is critical to work with a firm that is using these tools responsibly.Not all AI use is equal. The key differentiators are:<ul style="list-style-type: disc"><li>Whether the tools are secure and appropriate for legal work</li><li>Whether attorneys are properly trained in their use</li><li>Whether robust policies are in place to protect privilege and confidentiality</li><li>Whether AI output is rigorously reviewed before being relied upon</li></ul>At Michael Best, these safeguards are central to our approach.<h2>Efficiency as a Long-Term Investment</h2><div></div><div>It is also worth addressing a common question we hear: if AI increases efficiency and reduces the time required to complete certain tasks, why would a law firm invest in it when it will reduce billable hours? The answer is that this perspective is short-sighted. While AI does make certain tasks faster, it also enables us to deliver better results in less time, improve overall matter outcomes, and increase the value we provide to clients. Over time, that efficiency strengthens client relationships, enhances our competitiveness in the market, and allows us to attract and retain more work. Firms that embrace this shift thoughtfully are positioning themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive and efficiency-driven legal landscape.</div><h2>Conclusion</h2>Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for legal judgment—but it is a powerful tool for enhancing it. By integrating AI into our practice in a disciplined and secure manner, we are able to deliver more efficient, effective, and forward-looking service to our clients.

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Katie A. Fillmore

Antitrust & Competition

Bankruptcy & Business Reorganizations

Commercial Litigation

Employment Litigation

Environmental & Natural Resources

Labor & Employment

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Client Service at Michael Best

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