Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the legal sector, streamlining processes, improving client service, and enhancing the way firms operate. But beyond efficiency gains, AI is also playing a key role in shaping the future of legal hiring and talent retention.
To explore how AI is making an impact, we spoke with Noah Milton, Director of AI at Fletchers Solicitors, one of the few law firms in the UK to invest heavily in an in-house AI team. His insights reveal how AI is changing legal workflows, the role of lawyers, and why firms that embrace AI will have the edge in attracting top legal talent.
AI in Law: From Experimentation to a Competitive Edge
Fletchers’ investment in AI wasn’t an overnight decision—it started with an experimental Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Liverpool in 2017. This initiative led to the development of SIDSS (Structured Interview Decision Support System), a tool designed to assess the viability of clinical negligence claims early in the process. By filtering out unmeritorious cases with 91% accuracy, SIDSS has enabled the firm to dedicate more resources to clients who truly need their help.
Reflecting on this journey, Milton explains that this early success demonstrated AI’s potential in legal decision-making, prompting Fletchers to expand its AI initiatives. “With the release of ChatGPT shaking the legal sector and getting everyone thinking about the future, it was a natural step for us to build on our foundation and invest further in AI,” he says. “We’re committed to helping as many clients as best we can, and I see AI as an enabler to that – so we can reduce costs, speed up cases and deliver better outcomes.”
AI’s Impact on Client Service and Talent Retention
Legal professionals today face mounting workloads, but firms like Fletchers are using AI to alleviate pressure and make legal work more engaging. Burnout and dissatisfaction are key drivers of lawyer attrition, with our latest State of the Market Report revealing that 52% of lawyers who moved firms last year did so because they were unhappy or disengaged.
To address this, Fletchers has focused AI efforts on reducing administrative burdens. One of the firm’s most transformative projects has been in the review of medical records, an essential yet time-intensive aspect of clinical negligence and personal injury cases. “We’ve developed a tool that pre-sorts and analyses medical records—including reading most doctors’ handwriting—so that thousands of pages of disordered medical records can be reviewed more quickly,” says Milton. “We’re also testing how generative AI can summarise records and extract key information, helping our lawyers find what they need faster.”
This targeted use of AI is improving job satisfaction among lawyers by allowing them to focus on more meaningful, strategic work. AI is not replacing legal professionals, but instead supporting them by reducing time spent on repetitive tasks. “The support we give to our clients requires a very human connection, and we don’t think AI can or should replace that,” Milton explains. “What it can do is eliminate repetitive tasks, free up lawyers’ time, and ultimately allow us to help more clients.”
It is the effective implementation and management of AI in this context which adds the real value; Fletchers use it to save time and direct work towards the right person for the job, but humans still have all the decision-making power.
What AI Means for Legal Hiring
Beyond streamlining legal work, AI is also reshaping the skills law firms need in their hiring strategies. As legal tech adoption grows, firms will increasingly seek lawyers who are comfortable working with AI-driven systems and leveraging technology to enhance their practice. Milton believes that firms that figure out how to work well with AI quickly will be the biggest winners. “They’ll see reduced costs, improved efficiency, and be able to attract the best new talent,” he predicts.
Additionally, firms that successfully integrate AI will gain a competitive edge in recruitment. With only 5% of legal professionals actively seeking new roles, firms must differentiate themselves. AI can be a key part of an Employer Value Proposition (EVP), positioning the firm as an innovative, forward-thinking place to work.
Will AI Play a Role in Legal Recruitment?
For now, Fletchers is focusing AI efforts on legal processes, but Milton acknowledges that AI could eventually influence recruitment. “Not directly… yet! We’re focusing on our core legal processes first and making improvements there so we can help more clients,” he explains. “But our recruitment processes may see some benefit in the future—though I suspect we’re already benefitting from the more traditional machine learning and AI that drives the algorithms in advertising and LinkedIn job posts.”
As AI continues to evolve, firms may eventually integrate it into predictive hiring analytics, CV screening, and automation in recruitment marketing. However, Milton warns against adopting AI just for the sake of it. “Know your processes and know your data,” he advises. “The temptation with any new tool is to see it as a universal fix, but the key is to focus AI development in areas where it will deliver real value.”
How Law Firms Can Stay Ahead
For firms looking to adopt AI but unsure where to start, strategic implementation is key. AI should be used to enhance legal expertise, not replace it. The firms that embrace AI now will be best positioned to attract and retain top legal talent in the years ahead.
Key takeaways for law firm leaders:
- Leverage AI to improve lawyer satisfaction – Reducing admin-heavy workloads will make legal careers more attractive and sustainable.
- Position AI as a competitive advantage in recruitment – Firms that embrace innovation will appeal to future-focused lawyers.
- Prepare for AI-driven hiring trends – AI will eventually play a role in recruitment—be ready to adapt.
At Realm, we help law firms attract, recruit, and retain the right legal talent. If you want to position your firm as an employer of choice in the age of AI, get in touch—we’d love to help you future-proof your hiring strategy. Give us a call or email hello@realmrecruit.com to find out more.
