The Truth About Generative AI in Legal Workflows: What It Can (and Can't) Do

Legal teams are under more pressure than ever. Budgets are tighter, deadlines are shorter, and the volume of data keeps exploding. While some folks believe generative AI is the magic fix that will instantly handle it all, the truth is a lot more nuanced.

Used right, it can seriously boost efficiency, uncover critical information faster, and free up lawyers for higher-level strategy. But it can't replace sharp legal judgment or deliver airtight compliance on its own.

This article cuts through the hype to show you what generative AI can (and can't) do in legal workflows. Read on as we break it down clearly so you can move forward with confidence.

What Generative AI Can Do for Legal Workflows

Generative AI, or GenAI, is actually changing how legal teams approach eDiscovery. It's helping teams move faster and work smarter, especially under tight timelines. GenAI can process huge amounts of data quickly, which is something many legal professionals struggle with using manual methods.

One area where GenAI shines is drafting early case assessments and summaries. Instead of spending hours reviewing and summarizing documents by hand, lawyers can use GenAI to create first drafts. That saves time and reduces repetitive work that slows teams down.

For instance, automating document analysis and categorization is a big win. Rather than sorting thousands of documents one by one, GenAI can group them by topic, relevance, or sentiment. Some benefits of automating document analysis include:

• Faster first-pass review of large data sets
• Reduced manual errors in initial categorization
• Quicker identification of important case themes

Another strong use is surfacing key documents or running "find more like this" searches. This helps teams track down similar documents, even when they're buried deep in huge collections. That, frankly, makes it easier to connect the dots and build a stronger case narrative.

GenAI also speeds up review through advanced semantic search. For example, Reveal's Ask feature combines semantic search with generative AI to return clear, plain-language answers to complex queries. Teams can ask a question and, instead of digging through endless files, get concise summaries in seconds.

What Generative AI Can't (or Shouldn't) Do Yet

While GenAI is strong, it still has some serious gaps that legal teams can't ignore. It might seem like it can do everything, but that, honestly, isn't true at all.

First, GenAI can't deliver real legal judgment or strategy. The AI can analyze facts, suggest language, and spot connections, but it doesn't understand nuance or context the way a human lawyer does. Only people can weigh risks, consider client goals, and shape case strategies that align with complex legal standards.

Next, relying on GenAI alone for final quality control is risky. You need humans to review and sign off on AI-generated outputs to catch errors and ensure accuracy. There have been cases where AI-created documents included factual mistakes or citations to sources that don't exist, which is a huge problem in legal settings.

Sensitive data handling is another big limitation. GenAI models, if not properly managed, could expose confidential information or fail to comply with privacy laws. Legal AI compliance demands strict controls, especially with privileged data.

Some tasks require oversight because of legal AI regulations that restrict how certain types of information can be used. In that case, putting blind trust in an AI system can lead to major fines, reputational damage, or even malpractice claims.

In other words, GenAI can support and speed up processes, but it doesn't replace experienced legal professionals. Legal teams need to work closely with AI tools, guiding them and verifying their outputs to keep results defensible and compliant.

Practical Tips for Safely Integrating GenAI in eDiscovery

Legal teams looking to adopt generative AI in law should take a careful, phased approach. Rather than rolling it out everywhere at once, starting small with clear goals is a smart move. For instance, you might begin by using GenAI for privilege review or to handle first-pass analysis of large batches of documents.

Training your team on how GenAI works is just as important. Lawyers and staff need to understand both the strengths and the limits. When everyone knows what the tool can and can't do, mistakes drop, and adoption usually improves.

In the meantime, building clear governance and review protocols helps reduce risks. Create step-by-step processes to check AI outputs and document who reviewed them. This ensures transparency and makes it easier to defend your work if challenged.

When picking a vendor, it's wise to focus on companies with strong security commitments and a proven track record in legal AI compliance. Reveal, for example, offers an integrated AI-powered eDiscovery platform that keeps data secure and gives teams control over where and how the AI runs. That flexibility helps support different privacy needs and regulatory demands, which might be a big deal depending on your jurisdiction.

Some steps for safer GenAI adoption include:

• Start with a narrow use case and expand only after proven success
• Establish clear oversight and review workflows from day one
• Pick tools that allow customization to fit your compliance needs

Legal tech innovations are moving fast, and it's easy to get swept up in the excitement. Yet, smart teams know that the right foundation often makes or breaks AI projects. These basics not only help avoid mistakes but also build trust in the technology internally.

Where GenAI Could Go Next

Looking ahead, GenAI might handle more context-aware analysis, stronger summarization, and even assist with trial preparation. Right now, these tasks still need significant human input, but in some respects, that might shift as technology improves.

As promising as these future features sound, legal teams still need to move carefully. New capabilities might be impressive, yet they shouldn't replace human checks. Instead, they should support lawyers, not try to stand in for them.

Next Steps for Smarter Legal AI Adoption

Generative AI is transforming legal workflows, but it can't do it all. Pairing this technology with skilled human oversight is the only way to get reliable, defensible results.

At Reveal, we combine best-in-class generative AI with unmatched security, flexible deployment options, and a true end-to-end eDiscovery platform. Our AI is deeply embedded, not just a plugin, and always focused on speed to insight and strong compliance. Schedule a demo today and discover what's really possible.