Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Client Service at Michael Best

One of the questions I am most frequently asked—particularly by clients and other nonlawyers—is how we are actually using artificial intelligence in the practice of law. For me, AI is no longer a theoretical concept or future-facing tool; it has become an everyday part of my practice. I use it multiple times each day to enhance efficiency, improve organization, and support the delivery of high-quality legal work.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the practice of law. At Michael Best, we have embraced this evolution thoughtfully and strategically—focusing on how AI can enhance high-quality legal representation and create greater efficiency to benefit our clients.

A Measured, Practice-Driven Approach to AI

Michael Best has made a significant investment in AI tools and training across the firm, including broad deployment of Microsoft Copilot and expansion of Harvey, a platform specifically designed for legal workflows. This adoption reflects a deliberate effort to integrate AI into day-to-day legal practice in a practical and responsible way. 

In my own practice, I use AI tools multiple times each day. Tools such as Copilot and Harvey are embedded into our workflows and assist with a wide range of tasks, including:

• Generating first drafts of pleadings, motions, and correspondence
• Summarizing complex records and legal authorities
• Organizing arguments and structuring written work product

These tools allow us to handle the execution-level components of legal work more efficiently, freeing up time to focus on strategy, judgment, and client advocacy.

Efficiency Without Compromising Quality

What Sets Michael Best Apart

Our approach is distinguished not just by adoption, but by how we implement AI:

• Secure platforms: We use firm-approved systems such as Copilot and Harvey that are configured to protect confidentiality.
• Training and governance: Our attorneys participate in ongoing training and best-practice development to ensure responsible use.
• Workflow integration: AI is incorporated into structured legal workflows, rather than used in an ad hoc or unsupervised manner.

This combination allows us to capture the benefits of AI while protecting attorney-client privilege and maintaining strict confidentiality standards.

A Changing Landscape in the Legal Industry

A few months ago, I attended a conference that brought together senior level outside counsel and in-house attorneys. One of the most notable takeaways was the divergence in how quickly organizations are adopting AI.

Many corporations—and their in-house legal teams—are already using AI tools extensively to increase efficiency and reduce costs. In contrast, a meaningful number of law firms still have broad prohibitions on AI use.

In my view, that gap is unlikely to persist. Firms that fail to adopt AI thoughtfully risk falling behind in both efficiency and client service. Over time, clients will increasingly expect their outside counsel to leverage technology that allows them to deliver faster, more cost-effective results.

The Client Impact

For clients, the benefits of our approach are straightforward:

• Greater efficiency: Tasks that once required substantial manual effort can now be completed more quickly, resulting in meaningful cost savings for hourly clients.
• Cost alignment: Increased efficiency translates into better alignment between time spent and value delivered.
• Enhanced focus on strategy: Attorneys can devote more time to high-level analysis, case strategy, and business outcomes.

In short, AI enables us to work smarter without sacrificing the rigor and judgment that define effective legal representation.

Choosing the Right Partner

As AI becomes more prevalent in the legal industry, it is critical to work with a firm that is using these tools responsibly.

Not all AI use is equal. The key differentiators are:

• Whether the tools are secure and appropriate for legal work
• Whether attorneys are properly trained in their use
• Whether robust policies are in place to protect privilege and confidentiality
• Whether AI output is rigorously reviewed before being relied upon

At Michael Best, these safeguards are central to our approach.

Efficiency as a Long-Term Investment

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence is not a substitute for legal judgment—but it is a powerful tool for enhancing it. By integrating AI into our practice in a disciplined and secure manner, we are able to deliver more efficient, effective, and forward-looking service to our clients.