Lawyers Say AI Is Reshaping How—and Why—They Work Beyond Just Automation
When lawyers discuss artificial intelligence (AI), the conversation no longer centers solely on efficiency gains. A recent study commissioned by Ironclad, covering 800 attorneys and legal operations professionals, shows AI is evolving legal work in deeper ways, shaping not only how lawyers operate but also transforming why they remain in the profession despite the long hours, isolated workdays and taxing pursuit of perfection.
Lawyers often wear perfectionism like a badge of honor. But precision can come at a cost. "Lawyers by their very nature are overachievers... powered by, and steered towards, perfectionism. It's the perfect recipe for burnout," Jasmine Singh, general counsel at Ironclad, told Newsweek, recounting her six years spent working in Big Law.
Long hours of solitary and repetitive review, interspersed with a few high-drama moments like depositions or hearings, left Singh feeling disconnected. Over time, she recognized her fatigue for what it was: burnout. "I wasn't able to really step into my purpose for being a lawyer," Singh recalls.
She left for a time, teaching spin classes, fueling her passion for community and wellness. When she returned to practicing law a few months later, she decided to refocus her career on transactional in-house work, where she could work right alongside her team, day in and day out, helping build and protect companies.
Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Adobe Stock/Canva
Now, back in the legal world, Singh also found an unexpected ally: AI.
"In the last few years, I have extensively used AI," she said. "AI has become a coworker that helps when I need a brainstorming partner; an intern that helps do the rote or repeat work; a sounding board when I want to try a bunch of ideas and see what sticks." It hasn't just helped her do more with less, it's helped her breathe easier, with a safety net for those workday burdens.
And she's not alone. Ironclad's second annual State of AI in Legal Report revealed that 96 percent of respondents believe AI helps them meet business goals more efficiently, with 76 percent stating that it directly improves their burnout levels. Younger attorneys, particularly those in Gen Z, are at the forefront, with 91 percent agreeing that AI reduces burnout, compared to 75 percent of millennials.
Singh sees a generational shift in the intent behind legal work. Where older attorneys might strive for perfection, younger attorneys are deliberately seeking meaningful, focused and purposeful experiences, and AI is making that possible.
"I believe that Gen Z sees the virtue of AI because they have not internalized the message that we have to both be perfect and do perfect work; instead, they are creating the new message that our work has to be effective, impactful, and deliberate–and AI can help with all of those things," Singh said.
On the transactional side, AI is rewriting workflows.
Katelyn Canning, director and head of legal at fintech data analytics firm Ocrolus, runs a lean operation. "AI has transformed our legal operations by automating document review, cutting contract analysis time by 75 percent, and enabling our small legal team to manage workload equivalent to a department triple our size," she told Newsweek. That takeaway is powerful: a compact team handling the work of many, with AI powering productivity.
Canning emphasizes that AI-generated first drafts, like routine communications and agreements, allow her attorneys to shift from creators to strategic reviewers. In Ocrolus's highly regulated environment, that pivot elevated the legal department from a traditional cost center to a trusted business partner, speeding up deals and improving risk oversight.
The survey supports this. Respondents reported using AI most often for summarizing case law (61 percent), document and contract review (45 percent and 44 percent, respectively) and drafting legal documents (42 percent). More than half said AI opens time for strategic work.
But the change runs deeper. The survey found 64 percent reported AI improves communication, an essential part of legal coordination, and 46 percent see new career growth thanks to it. For in-house teams, that figure jumps to 55 percent.
Singh noted, "AI is unlocking these superpowers for lawyers—but core legal expertise is more important than ever now. We're going to see the lawyers with good judgment and curiosity rise to the top."
For Singh, AI hasn't just changed how she works, it's changed what's possible. With more time, more clarity and the right tools at her side, she's found a version of legal work that's not only more productive, but more sustainable.
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