AI and Workflows: Leveraging Legal AI with Rules

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries, its role in legal workflows is increasingly pivotal. However, many legal professionals find that AI alone isn’t delivering the expected value.

In our recent webinar, AI and Workflows: Leveraging Legal AI with Rules, this disconnect was examined in depth. The session explored why integrating AI within structured legal workflows is essential for realizing its full potential, especially in light of Bain research showing increasing disappointment among legal professionals with AI.

Co-hosted by Max Paterson, Managing Director – US at BRYTER, and Nicola Shaver, CEO and Co-founder of LegalTech Hub, the webinar tackled critical topics such as the need for control when implementing AI, how rule-based workflows provide the necessary structure for successful AI integration, and real-world examples of AI enhancing legal practice.

Here’s a summary of the key points discussed.

The AI legal landscape: context and challenges

The session began with Max and Nikki reflecting on the rapid pace of technological change. Max noted how quickly the legal tech landscape evolves: “It seems like every week we’re talking about something new in AI.”

Nikki echoed this sentiment, adding that AI adoption is accelerating faster than many had predicted:

“We’re seeing law firms, surprisingly, jump into AI adoption faster than anticipated. This is not just about generative AI — it’s about understanding how AI fits into existing workflows.”

The Bain research cited in the webinar promo — highlighting the growing disappointment with AI among legal professionals — set the stage for a deeper dive into why lawyers are struggling with AI integration.

Nikki framed the issue well, saying, “Lawyers don’t work in isolated tasks; they need more than just a chatbot that says ‘ask me anything.’ What they need is AI embedded within their day-to-day workflows.”

From magic to practicality: the evolution of Legal AI

One key takeaway was the distinction between AI as a novel tool and AI as a practical, scalable solution. Nikki referenced the “magic” many felt when ChatGPT first launched, but she was quick to clarify that law firms are now moving beyond experimentation:

“Generative AI still feels like magic, but law firms are shifting from playing around with it to figuring out how to make it part of their daily operations.”

Both hosts agreed that law firms are looking to AI not just for novelty but to tackle real-world problems such as contract analysis, summarization, and document comparison.

Nikki pointed out the importance of controlling AI within workflows:

“What we’re seeing now is the combination of low-code/no-code workflow automation solutions with AI. That’s where the real value is — AI embedded into existing systems, doing the heavy lifting while still giving lawyers control over the process.”

AI and workflows: where rules meet intelligence

The main focus of the webinar was how rule-based workflows can provide the necessary structure for AI implementation. Max highlighted how AI can complement rule-based systems:

“There’s a place where magic happens and a place where you need to keep the trains running on time. The combination of AI and workflow automation is where we’re seeing the biggest gains.”

Nikki then went on to emphasize the role of transparency and control in successful AI adoption:

“You don’t want a system where AI is acting like a black box. Firms need to know what the AI is doing at each step and be able to track its inputs and outputs. That’s where rule-based workflows help—they provide structure around the use of AI.”

The conversation then shifted to specific use cases for AI in the legal space, with Max demonstrating BRYTER’s latest AI capabilities.

He showcased how BRYTER Extract can help law firms analyze contracts and extract critical information, a particularly valuable tool for post-signature contract management.

“What we’ve heard from the marketplace is that contracts often sit on a shared drive, and firms struggle to action them post-signing. BRYTER Extract is solving that,” Max explained.

Live demo: AI in action

Max walked attendees through a live demo of BRYTER Extract. He uploaded a series of employment contracts, and the AI quickly pulled out key data points such as party names, dates, and clauses like IP transfer provisions.

“This is where AI really shines—helping firms extract valuable data from contracts at scale, and then taking action on that information,” said Max.

He demonstrated how users could create custom columns to extract specific clauses, providing an example of how lawyers can control the AI to fit their exact needs.

Nikki was in huge praise of the demo, highlighting how this approach allows lawyers to stay in control:

“What I like is that lawyers are still driving the workflow. They’re asking the AI to find specific terms, but the AI speeds up that process significantly.”

She noted that this is key to getting lawyers on board with AI: “Lawyers are more comfortable with AI when they feel they have control over how it’s being used.”

AI for Document Review and Workflow Automation

One of the most powerful aspects of BRYTER’s AI Agent platform is its ability to integrate with workflows and automate tasks beyond just document analysis.

Max showed how the platform could generate documents based on the extracted data, such as an addendum to a contract, and even track the approval and signature process:

“Once you have the data, it’s not just about extracting it — it’s about taking action. We can send these documents for signature, track the process, and even automate reporting on the entire workflow.”

Nikki chimed in, emphasizing how this level of integration is what law firms are looking for:

“This is where the magic happens. It’s not just about AI pulling out clauses; it’s about embedding AI into workflows that help lawyers take real action. It’s helping them do the work, not just giving them data.”

Practical steps and future trends

Throughout the webinar, Max and Nikki provided practical advice for law firms looking to integrate AI into their operations.

One major takeaway was the importance of starting small and focusing on specific use cases. Max recommended, “Pick a use case that’s repetitive and time-consuming, like contract review. Then build from there.”

Nikki added that law firms should think carefully about how AI fits into their existing workflows: “Don’t try to completely overhaul how your lawyers work. Instead, look for ways to enhance what they’re already doing with AI.”

Looking ahead, both Max and Nikki expect AI to continue evolving rapidly, with more law firms adopting agent-based systems like BRYTER’s platform. As Nikki put it, “The future of AI in legal is about finding that balance between automation and control — giving lawyers the tools to work smarter while ensuring they remain in charge.”

Key Takeaways

• Control is crucial: Lawyers need AI systems that provide structure and allow them to remain in control of the process.
• Workflow integration is key: AI should be embedded within legal workflows, helping lawyers take action, not just analyze data.
• Start small: Focus on specific, repetitive use cases where AI can deliver immediate value, then scale up.
• The future is AI-driven: Agentic AI and workflow automation are the future of legal operations, offering opportunities for efficiency and smarter decision-making.

Looking ahead

The AI and Workflows: Leveraging Legal AI with Rules webinar provided a clear roadmap for law firms and legal professionals looking to navigate the complexities of AI integration.

Through insightful discussion and live demonstrations, Max Paterson and Nicola Shaver highlighted the importance of pairing AI with rule-based workflows to ensure that the technology supports, rather than overwhelms, legal professionals.

As law firms continue to adopt AI, the message from this session was clear: successful AI implementation requires a balance of automation and control.

Lawyers must remain in charge of their workflows while leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and accuracy. The webinar underscored the value of starting with small, manageable use cases and gradually scaling up AI adoption as the technology matures.

Ultimately, the future of AI in legal is not about replacing lawyers but empowering them with smarter, more integrated tools.

With tools like BRYTER Extract, law firms can move beyond the novelty of AI and begin realizing its full potential in transforming how legal work is done.

As AI continues to evolve, the focus will remain on integrating it thoughtfully within workflows — enabling lawyers to work more efficiently and provide better service to their clients.

Watch the webinar again