Smart AI Strategies for In-House Counsel

What if you could eliminate hours of manual legal work every week while improving accuracy and reducing risk? As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform how legal departments operate, in-house lawyers face a pivotal moment. The question is no longer whether to use AI—it’s how to apply it wisely. With the right AI strategies for in-house counsel, legal teams can streamline workflows. They can make more informed decisions and deliver greater value to the business.

Niki Black, Head of Client and External Education at MyCase, offers clear guidance on how in-house legal teams can embrace AI responsibly. Her approach is grounded in practicality: you don’t need to be a tech expert to use AI effectively. You just need to understand where it fits into your work.

Watch the full conversation with Niki Black here:

One of the most immediate benefits of AI for legal professionals is time savings. Generative AI tools can support document drafting, contract summarization, compliance checklists, and even internal communications. Black suggests thinking of AI as a reliable drafting assistant. It provides a helpful first draft, which the legal team then reviews and finalizes.

For in-house teams juggling contracts, vendor agreements, or HR issues, AI can reduce repetitive tasks. This allows for more strategic legal work. These use cases demonstrate how thoughtful integration of AI tools can increase productivity without compromising quality.

Black strongly cautions against using public-facing generative AI tools for handling confidential or sensitive legal data. Instead, she recommends investing in AI platforms designed specifically for legal use cases. These should offer proper encryption, audit trails, and user controls.

Data security is a foundational concern for in-house legal counsel. Any AI strategy must prioritize confidentiality. When choosing an AI tool, legal departments should verify where data is stored and how it is processed. They should also verify whether any third parties can access it.

Black underscores that using AI responsibly requires legal professionals to remain ethically vigilant. Lawyers are expected to understand the tools they use and supervise their output. In-house counsel must ensure that AI-generated results are accurate, relevant, and comply with legal obligations.

The American Bar Association’s Model Rule 1.1, which covers competence, now includes technology. That means legal teams can’t afford to ignore AI. Instead, they must stay informed, ask the right questions, and remain accountable for the results AI produces under their guidance.

Another concern highlighted by Black is algorithmic bias. AI tools are trained on existing data, which often includes historical biases. This means that AI-generated outputs—especially in areas like hiring or compliance—can inadvertently reinforce inequality.

AI strategies for in-house counsel should include safeguards to identify and mitigate bias. That means scrutinizing vendors, understanding how models are trained, and taking corrective actions when issues arise. Legal teams play a key role in ensuring that AI usage aligns with ethical standards and DEI goals.

Finally, Black encourages in-house lawyers to remain curious and open to learning. The AI landscape is evolving quickly. Rather than waiting for full certainty, legal teams should experiment with low-risk use cases. They should also attend legal tech sessions and collaborate with IT teams to explore new tools.

By investing time in ongoing learning and aligning AI strategies with organizational goals, in-house counsel can transform how they deliver legal services.

Smart AI strategies for in-house counsel aren’t about replacing lawyers—they’re about empowering them. By combining legal expertise with AI’s capabilities, legal teams can enhance efficiency. They can protect sensitive data and navigate ethical risks with confidence. The future of legal work is already here—and those who lead with intention will define it.

Watch the full conversation here:  Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 6, Episode 5 (ft.Niki Black)

At Notes to My (Legal) Self®, we’re dedicated to helping in-house legal professionals develop the skills, insights, and strategies needed to thrive in today’s evolving legal landscape. From leadership development to legal operations optimization and emerging technology, we provide the tools to help you stay ahead.

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