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Change fatigue. Pilot paralysis. Innovation theatre. If you work in legal tech or lead a large law firm, chances are you've heard a partner say, "We tried that already." But what if that old initiative didn’t fail because the tech was wrong, but because the timing, rollout, process or incentive structure was?

This blog explores how to reinspire innovation efforts inside sceptical law firms, with practical advice for leaders and innovation teams.

Why innovation stalls inside law firms

1. Misaligned incentives
While this is evolving, lawyers are largely driven by billable hours, risk avoidance and precedent legal processes. Innovation, on the other hand, requires experimentation, time investment, and sometimes failure. That friction breeds resistance.

2. Overly narrow ROI metrics
Projects are judged by short-term ROI or cost savings, not by impact on talent retention, client satisfaction or workflow quality.

3. Poor user adoption
"We tried AI legal tools before and no one used them." Sound familiar? Many rollouts lack training, integration, or relevance to real tasks like contract termination, legal research or force majeure clause drafting.

“Encouraging adoption is challenging due to resistance and a lack of understanding of their benefits.” — Tony Randle, Partner, Shoosmiths

4. Risk-averse governance
Without a clear governance model, innovation efforts stall under due diligence reviews, compliance bottlenecks or partner pushback.

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How to relaunch innovation and get internal buy-in

Start with problems, not products

Innovation efforts gain traction when they're tied to tangible pain points. Examples:

• Lawyers spending hours on legal research? Try Lexis+ AI.

• Bottlenecks in drafting NDAs and confidentiality agreements? Automate with Lexis+ Create.

• Friction between in-house and external teams? Use legal tech to streamline contract law workflows.

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Rethink what "ROI" looks like

Rather than focusing solely on cost savings, measure:

• Lawyer time recovered for high-value work

• Turnaround time for contract review or document drafting

• Increase in client satisfaction or retention

The biggest area of innovation that needs to take place is to the client experience, says one General Counsel in the energy sector. "External firms forget they are there as an extension of the internal team and must perform the same way."

Test fast, pilot small, and scale strategically

Create a culture where experimentation is expected, not exceptional. Use concentric pilots:

1. Start with a tech champion inside one practice area

2. Capture metrics and user feedback

3. Share wins, then expand laterally

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Use legal AI to inspire trust, not fear

Many senior lawyers fear AI means loss of control. Flip the narrative: show how AI supports — not replaces — judgement.

Ways to build trust in AI legal tools:

• Involve users early in selection and testing

• Provide case-specific examples (e.g. product liability, environmental legal, or banking law)

• Explain the limits and accountability of generative tools

“We ensure data principles and risk assessment tools are robust, to help us effectively manage risk.” — Deborah Finkler, Managing Partner, Slaughter and May

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Position innovation as a growth and talent tool

Innovation isn’t just about doing the same work faster. It’s about offering:

• More flexible career paths

• Improved work-life balance through automation

• Differentiation for client pitches

Remember: one in five large firm lawyers would leave if their firm didn’t invest in AI (UU����ֱ�� Generative AI Survey H1 2025)

Read how Pinsent Masons are using Lexis+ AI

Rebuilding momentum means letting go of what didn’t work, and focusing on what will.
Start with business problems. Involve users. Prove value fast. And above all, connect innovation to outcomes that matter: winning work, keeping great people, and delivering better legal services.

FAQ

How can I restart innovation after a failed project?

Start small with a focused pilot. Pick one practice group, define a clear problem, and test a tool tied to real workflows.

What legal tech has the highest ROI for sceptical firms?

Look at AI-powered legal research tools, contract automation, and case management software. Focus on where you lose the most time: drafting, researching, reviewing.

How do I get buy-in from partners?

Speak in their language: risk management, client retention, margin protection. Share peer examples and client expectations.

Is AI ready for the legal sector?

Yes, if implemented with care. Use it to enhance quality, accelerate drafting, and support judgement, not to replace lawyers.

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