94% of Law Firms Now Use or Explore Generative AI in 2026
The 2026 ILTA Tech Survey finds 94% of law firms adopting or exploring generative AI tools.
Why it matters: Growing AI adoption signals shifts in legal workflows and client expectations. Firms and vendors must navigate rising costs, skills gaps, and governance to stay competitive.
- 94% of law firms use or explore generative AI, up from 80% in 2025.
- 51% say a client influenced AI adoption decisions in the past year.
- 85% of lawyers use AI for research, summarization, and intake support.
- Firms question AI costs and reliability as they expand AI task forces.
The 2026 ILTA Tech Survey highlights a rapid increase in generative AI adoption among law firms, reaching 94% from 80% in 2025, reflecting growing enthusiasm for AI-driven legal workflows. This surge is pushing firms to adopt governance models and expand AI task forces to manage usage and policy effectively.
Client influence plays a significant role; 51% of firms report clients directly impacted AI adoption decisions in the past year, indicating that legal technology strategy is no longer solely internal but increasingly client-driven. Joel Seignior from Litera observed, "Law firm AI strategy is no longer principally a leadership or innovation team decision: it is increasingly a client procurement decision."
AI use is widespread among lawyers, with 85% employing it for tasks like legal research, document summarization, and client intake support. However, many legal teams continue to rely on manual, fragmented processes, underscoring challenges in fully integrating AI into daily workflows.
Firms are becoming more cautious about AI-related expenses. According to Thomson Reuters, many lawyers overuse premium AI models for simple tasks, raising costs without matching returns. This scrutiny leads firms to monitor actual AI usage and associated expenditures closely.
Google’s recent launch of Gemini Enterprise for Legal, aimed at law firms and in-house legal teams, emphasizes AI as augmenting—not replacing—legal professionals. Google's General Counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado said, "AI should augment, not replace, legal professionals," while also noting concerns about AI reliability and effects on junior lawyers’ traditional roles.
Ultimately, the survey indicates a legal industry in transition: accelerating AI adoption driven by client demand and promising efficiency gains, balanced by cost concerns and the imperative to develop appropriate skills and governance.
By the numbers:
- 94% — Law firms using or exploring generative AI in 2026, up from 80% in 2025
- 51% — Firms reporting client influence on AI adoption decisions in the past year
- 85% — Lawyers using AI for legal research, summarization, and intake support
Yes, but: Despite high AI adoption rates, many legal teams still depend heavily on manual processes and fragmented workflows.
What's next: Firms will likely focus on refining AI governance and managing costs as usage expands, while adapting training to integrate AI tools effectively.