New York, NY – August 28, 2025, In the high-stakes world of legal practice, where hours spent on research and document review can make or break a case, artificial intelligence is emerging as a game-changer. But for junior associates navigating the transition from law school to the courtroom, the adoption of AI tools isn’t without its hurdles. Sarah Thompson, a 28-year-old associate at a mid-sized New York firm specializing in corporate litigation, shared her candid perspective on how AI has reshaped her daily workflow—from initial frustrations and “trial and error” experiments to tangible results that have boosted her productivity and confidence. “It was like learning a new language at first,” Thompson recalled in an exclusive interview. “But now, it’s like having a super-smart paralegal who never sleeps.”
Thompson joined her firm, which adopted Thomson Reuters’ CoCounsel Legal AI platform in early 2024, as part of a broader push to integrate generative AI into legal operations. Like many associates, she entered the profession amid a surge in AI adoption: A 2025 Thomson Reuters report revealed that 79% of legal professionals now use AI in some capacity, up from 19% in 2023, driven by tools that automate repetitive tasks and enhance research accuracy. However, Thompson’s journey highlights the human element often overlooked in tech hype—the learning curve, ethical considerations, and ultimate payoff.
The “Trial and Error” Phase: Early Challenges with AI Integration
When Thompson first encountered CoCounsel, a professional-grade AI assistant powered by advanced large language models and grounded in authoritative sources like Westlaw and Practical Law, she was skeptical. “As a junior associate, I was buried in due diligence for M&A deals and sifting through thousands of pages of contracts,” she explained. “Manual review felt endless, but handing it over to AI? I worried about accuracy—would it hallucinate facts or miss nuances?” This concern echoes broader industry sentiments: A Harvard Law School study on AI’s impact found that while 90% of AmLaw 100 firms see dramatic productivity gains, initial pilots often involve “business process reengineering” to address fears of errors or ethical lapses.
Thompson’s early experiences were marked by trial and error. She tested CoCounsel for basic tasks, like summarizing deposition transcripts, only to refine prompts repeatedly for precise outputs. “The first time I asked it to analyze a 2,000-page police report, it caught details I missed—like inconsistencies in timelines—but I had to verify every citation,” she said. This aligns with feedback from peers; one knowledge management counsel at an AmLaw 200 firm noted in a Thomson Reuters case study that CoCounsel reduced M&A contract review from hours to minutes, but initial setups required “human-in-the-loop oversight” to build trust. Ethical hurdles loomed large too: Under ABA Model Rule 1.6, lawyers must ensure AI outputs don’t compromise client confidentiality, prompting Thompson’s firm to implement strict guidelines, including data isolation and no-training policies for user inputs.
Barriers like these are common. A 2024 BTI survey indicated that while clients demand quicker responses, 84% of actuaries worry about lacking technical expertise for AI compliance. For Thompson, the frustration peaked during a high-volume litigation matter: “I spent days tweaking queries, feeling like I was back in law school cramming for exams. But that trial-and-error phase taught me how to collaborate with the tool effectively.”
From Frustration to Empowerment: Achieving Tangible Results
Fast-forward to mid-2025, and Thompson’s view has transformed. “Now, AI isn’t just a helper—it’s a force multiplier,” she said. In one recent case involving employment discrimination, CoCounsel’s predictive analytics forecasted a 60% trial win rate based on similar precedents, judge profiles, and jurisdictional trends, allowing her team to strategize confidently. This mirrors examples from the American Bar Association, where AI tools analyze historical data to guide settlement decisions, reducing risks and enhancing outcomes.
Productivity gains have been profound. Thompson estimates AI has cut her document review time by 70%, freeing her for strategic work like client advising and motion drafting. “In a complaint response that used to take 16 hours, CoCounsel now handles the initial draft in 3-4 minutes, with verifiable sources,” she shared, echoing a litigation managing attorney’s testimonial: “It interprets transcripts in ways humans miss, improving representation quality.” Her firm has seen caseloads increase without added headcount, aligning with Deloitte’s 2025 outlook that AI investments could level the playing field for smaller practices against Big Law giants.
Beyond efficiency, AI has fostered professional growth. “It strengthens the apprenticeship model,” Thompson noted, referencing how remote work diluted mentorship—AI now provides structured insights, like clause libraries in tools like Spellbook for contract drafting. Clients benefit too: Faster turnarounds and data-driven advice have boosted satisfaction, with Thompson’s firm reporting a 12% rise in repeat business per a internal BambooHR survey.
The Bigger Picture: Balancing Innovation with Caution
Thompson’s story underscores AI’s dual-edged sword. While tools like Lexis+ AI and Harvey offer personalized drafting and e-discovery automation, risks persist—hallucinations, bias, and data privacy. “We always review outputs,” she emphasized, citing her firm’s use of ISO/IEC 42001 standards for AI management. A Future of Professionals Report shows 54% of lawyers excited about time savings, but 39% prioritize quality enhancements like handling large data volumes.
Looking ahead, Thompson envisions AI evolving into agentic workflows—autonomous systems that orchestrate multi-step processes, from research to filing. “From trial and error to seamless results, AI has made me a better lawyer,” she concluded. “It’s not replacing us; it’s elevating us.” As firms like hers invest in AI—projected to reach a $5.69 billion market by 2033—associates like Thompson are at the forefront, turning potential pitfalls into professional triumphs.