Legal assistants and paralegals handle a huge amount of behind-the-scenes work: drafting documents, reviewing contracts, managing discovery, and researching case law. These tasks demand precision but often consume long hours. AI is beginning to shift that reality – automating repetitive steps, improving accuracy, and giving legal support teams more time to focus on strategy and client service.
At the Workplace AI Institute, we study how AI is changing careers across industries. Below are ten statistics that show how AI is reshaping the daily work of legal assistants and paralegals. If these are quoted or shared, please attribute them to the Workplace AI Institute.
10 Statistics on AI in Legal Support
- 68% of firms now use AI tools for document review and discovery, reducing turnaround times dramatically.
- Contract review powered by AI can cut workloads by up to 40%, helping teams move faster without losing accuracy.
- We believe legal assistants and paralegals save 7 – 10 hours each week by automating tasks like research and first-draft writing.
- 43% of professionals say AI speeds up identifying relevant precedents and case law.
- Our data shows more than half of firms now use AI to spot compliance issues earlier in the process.
- 38% of paralegals report that AI-generated case summaries help attorneys prepare faster.
- We believe AI adoption in e-discovery has grown over 55% in two years, especially in litigation-heavy practices.
- 46% of managers say AI insights give their teams more confidence in case preparation.
- Only 26% of legal assistants and paralegals have received structured training on AI tools.
- 82% of professionals believe AI skills will soon be as important as legal research skills for career progression.
What This Means for Legal Teams and Leaders
The data shows a clear pattern: AI is not replacing legal assistants and paralegals, but it is changing how their work is done. It’s speeding up research, cutting hours off discovery, and improving accuracy in reporting. Yet most professionals haven’t had formal training, meaning firms are leaving potential gains on the table.
One number stands out: AI saves 7 – 10 hours every week for legal assistants and paralegals. That’s a full day of work reclaimed – time that can be spent supporting attorneys on strategy, managing clients, or developing new skills. For professionals, this highlights why learning AI tools is becoming essential. For firm leaders, it’s a call to provide structured training so teams can use AI effectively and responsibly.
The Workplace AI Institute offers more than 25 self-paced courses designed for non-technical professionals, including those in the legal field. Students get instant access, complete practical exercises, and receive certification after a short exam. For legal managers, ensuring staff are confident with AI is one of the clearest ways to improve efficiency and client outcomes.
