- Gen AI has emerged as a dominant force, reshaping legal practices and workflows.
- 80% of legal professionals now rate themselves as knowledgeable about AI, reflecting growing confidence in the technology.
- 74% of respondents expect to use AI-driven tools in their jobs within the next 12 months, underscoring AI’s critical role in the future of legal work.
The 2025 Artificial Intelligence Report, conducted by Secretariat in collaboration with ACEDS, has revealed groundbreaking insights into the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal industry. With a focus on Generative AI (GenAI) and its increasing integration into legal workflows, the survey provides essential data for organizations navigating the future of legal practice and technology. Now in its third year, the report’s research and analysis was once again led by legal AI expert Richard Finkelman in collaboration with ACEDS. This year also marks the first partnership with Secretariat to sponsor this comprehensive study.
The report shares insights into key areas of AI use in legal practice, including:
- Gen AI: recent usage, tools, applications, and predictions for its biggest impact in the next 12 months.
- AI Experience: investment plans, organizational strategies, barriers, and expected AI usage in the next year.
- ESI Agreements: involvement in Electronically Stored Information (ESI) agreements with technology-assisted review (TAR), especially for privilege review, and challenges in negotiating these agreements.
- AI in Document Review: effectiveness in document and privilege review, cost-saving potential, and tools used.
"Our report clearly shows we have reached a watershed moment in legal’s AI adoption. It is no longer a passing trend but a transformative force that is fundamentally changing how legal professionals work." said Richard Finkelman, Managing Director at Secretariat. "Our survey reveals that legal organizations are not just adopting AI—they’re planning for it to become a core part of their operations in the very near future. With 74% of respondents expecting to use AI tools within a year, the time for strategic planning, investment, and adoption is now."
“This year’s findings clearly show that legal professionals are no longer just exploring AI—they’re actively preparing to embed it into their daily work," said Maribel Rivera, VP of Strategy and Client Engagement at ACEDS. "At ACEDS, we’re seeing this shift firsthand as professionals seek out training and tools to confidently navigate this next era of legal tech. The momentum is real, and it’s exciting to see the industry embrace both the opportunities and the responsibility that come with AI adoption."
The 2025 Secretariat and ACEDS AI Report surveyed professionals across the legal industry globally, with 40% of respondents representing eDiscovery/legal support professionals and 22% attorneys. A significant portion of the responses came from law firms, accounting for 49% of total respondents. The data reflects a diverse range of organizations, with 56% of respondents from companies with more than 250 employees.
Despite the widespread optimism about AI’s potential, the survey also highlights barriers to adoption, including data privacy concerns, cost, and AI hallucinations, which continue to challenge many organizations.
The 2025 Secretariat and ACEDS Artificial Intelligence Report provides valuable insights for legal professionals and organizations looking to stay ahead of AI trends and tackle the challenges of AI adoption head-on.
To download a copy of the report, visit Secretariat-intl.com
