Introduction
When I was a young lawyer, the idea that a computer could help me to draft legal documents or predict case outcomes was a fleeting fantasy. We had Westlaw and Lexis for legal research and Shepherdizing cases, but the core of legal work (analysis, writing, strategy) rested squarely on our all too human shoulders.
Today, for you, the landscape is different and, I would argue, better. Generative AI tools can produce coherent drafts, suggest negotiation strategies, and even highlight risk factors buried in complex contracts. What does this mean for you, a law student preparing to enter a profession on the cusp of a technological transformation? It means your legal toolbox is expanding, and if you know how to use it wisely, generative AI can make you a more efficient, insightful, and future-now lawyer.
Who Is This Textbook For?
This book is for law students like you: people who are mastering the art of legal reasoning and advocacy, and who want to understand how emerging technologies will shape their careers. You may be comfortable researching cases, drafting memoranda, and thinking critically about statutes and regulations. Generative AI won’t replace these core skills, but it will change how you apply them.
Whether you plan to join a large firm, start your own practice, work in public interest, or pursue corporate counsel roles, familiarity with AI will give you an edge. Understanding AI’s capabilities, ethical dimensions, regulatory frameworks, and strategic implications means you’ll be ready to adapt as the legal market evolves. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, you’ll feel empowered to use these tools to deliver better services, open new business models, and potentially expand access to justice.
What’s in This Book?
This textbook is divided into three parts, each corresponding to a different stage of your learning journey:
Part I (Chapters 1–5) introduces the fundamentals of generative AI in legal practice. You’ll learn what AI is, how it’s used today (from contract review to client intake), and how these technologies are reshaping tasks that were once the sole province of human lawyers. By the end of Part I, you’ll understand the technical basics and appreciate the range of AI applications available to the profession.
Part II (Chapters 6–10) guides you through more complex challenges, including ethical responsibilities, regulatory constraints, and the strategic integration of AI into law firms. How do you maintain client confidentiality when using AI-driven research tools? What about bias in AI predictions and recommendations? How can you ensure that human oversight remains central? This section helps you refine your understanding, offering concrete practice tips and highlighting real-world considerations that will shape your day-to-day decisions.
Part III (Chapters 11–12) takes a broader, forward-looking perspective. You’ll consider the long-term impact of AI on the business of law, the importance of cultivating a culture of innovation within your firm, and, finally, you’ll reflect on all that you have learned. By exploring leadership strategies, change management techniques, and continuous learning approaches, you’ll be equipped to help guide your future organization through technological shifts. The concluding chapters bring together every concept covered, culminating in final project presentations and a comprehensive review.
Within each chapter, you’ll find a mix of narrative discussions, examples, callouts, and practice tips. The narrative discussions are approachable yet intellectual, designed to convey complex ideas without assuming any technical or programming background. We use plain language and concrete examples to demystify topics like data privacy compliance, understanding model outputs, or evaluating AI vendors.
In the Workbook section, you’ll encounter workbook exercises associated with each Chapter. These are designed to help you apply the concepts you’ve just studied. Some exercises ask you to imagine scenarios in a firm setting, others prompt you to reflect on ethical dilemmas, and still others challenge you to think strategically about integrating AI into hypothetical client engagements. Completing these exercises will help you internalize the concepts and build confidence in your abilities to tackle AI-related challenges.
What’s Not in This Book?
You won’t find dense technical formulas or math-heavy explanations of neural networks here. We won’t ask you to program or code, and we won’t assume that you have an engineering background. The goal is for you to understand what AI tools can do, how they fit into legal practice, and how to manage them responsibly. Instead of diving into machine learning algorithms in detail, we focus on what you need to know as a lawyer: how to critically evaluate the outputs, how to comply with professional obligations, and how to communicate effectively with both clients and technologists.
This is not a technical manual, nor is it a replacement for hands-on training with specific AI tools. Think of it as a conceptual framework plus practical guidance. After reading this book, you should feel confident asking intelligent questions about AI, assessing risks, and guiding your firm’s AI-related decisions.
How to Read This Book
To help you get the most out of this material, we’ve built in several features:
Callouts and Key Terms: You’ll see short callouts in the margins or text boxes highlighting essential concepts or definitions. These will help you quickly identify the core ideas without sifting through pages of prose.
Practice Pointers: Throughout the chapters, practice pointers offer immediately applicable advice—like how to verify AI research results, manage client expectations about AI-driven documents, or set up an internal “sandbox” for pilot testing new AI tools.
Examples and Scenarios: We use concrete scenarios, such as a firm integrating an AI contract review system, or a solo practitioner adopting an AI research tool, to illustrate concepts. By seeing theory in action, you’ll better grasp how to apply these ideas in your own future practice.
Workbook Exercises: After absorbing the content of a chapter, try the exercises at the end. They ask you to reflect, analyze, or solve problems related to AI integration, ethics, or strategy. Working through these exercises will help you bridge the gap between reading about AI and confidently using it.
I recommend you read this book sequentially to mirror our in-class discussions. You'll see that the progression, from Chapter 1 through Chapter 12, builds a coherent narrative of AI’s role in law, from basics to strategic foresight. You are welcome to read ahead, of course, as time permits. However you approach it, remember that these tools and frameworks are meant to empower you, not overwhelm you.
Study Aids
In addition to the textbook and workbook, I have created several study aids to help you learn the material. Aptly, some tools use generative AI to teach you about generative AI.
They include:
Podcasts: Using the content of each chapter, I have created engaging “Deep Dive” audio podcasts (using NotebookLM✨) that you can listen to at your convenience. The lively discussions between two podcast personalities helps to make the material more intelligible and accessible.
Chatbot Tutor: I have created a chatbot tutor (using LawDroid Builder✨), that is trained on the contents of each chapter, to answer specific questions and to review key concepts with you. After you learn each concept, the tutor tests your progress in the same format as your multiple-choice exam.
Mini-lectures: I have created video mini-lectures to cover the key concepts in each chapter, complete with a Powerpoint presentation. The slide deck is provided for your reference.
Class Recordings: Each class is conducted remotely via Zoom. The class is recorded and the class video and transcript are provided for your reference.
Class Summaries: Zoom's AI Companion✨ creates summaries of each class. The class summary is provided for your reference.
Wishing You Well on Your Generative AI Journey
As you embark on this learning experience, keep an open mind and a critical eye. The legal profession is evolving, and generative AI stands poised to play a significant role in how lawyers practice and how clients receive services. With the knowledge, frameworks, and strategies offered in this book, you’ll be equipped to navigate these changes thoughtfully and ethically.
Your career will likely span multiple waves of technological innovation. Mastering AI concepts now sets the stage for adapting to whatever comes next. Embrace this opportunity to become a GenAI-educated lawyer, a professional who understands both the timeless values of the legal profession and the dynamic capabilities of emerging technologies.
Welcome to the wonderful world of generative AI in law. Let’s dive in!