GC says outside law firms' AI announcements lag what her in-house team already built
jkubicki · x · 2026-11-06
After a long conversation with a general counsel at a multi-industry privately held company, the author found that much of what outside firms proudly announce on AI, her in-house team already figured out. The company's president made speed — to market, to close deals, to decide — the competitive strategy, with AI serving that goal rather than being the strategy itself, and the expectation comes from the top.
Outside firms, from boutiques to AmLaw 100, are seen as dragging their feet: they announce AI investments, vendor partnerships and training, but leaders haven't explained why the firm needs to work differently in the first place.
The two sketched competitive attack vectors that could resonate with lawyers and clients: speed (fastest deals in the market), predictability (no surprises on fees/timelines), intelligence (spotting risks before clients ask), client autonomy (helping clients self-serve), and institutional knowledge (stop charging clients to rediscover what the firm knows). Adoption should start with specific practice groups or, harder but better, specific client segments.
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