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P E E R T O P E E R M A G A Z I N E · F A L L 2 0 2 5 75 The solution is not replacing lawyers with machines. Rather, unlocking strategic growth now depends on shedding this low-value manual work and reclaiming time for higher-level client counsel. It is enabling lawyers to practice at the top of their license by embracing more intelligent workflows and AI-driven systems that enhance human judgment. Firms that adopt these approaches are not just more efficient; they are setting a new standard for excellence, reducing risk for clients, and elevating the role of the lawyer. Here are five ways transactional lawyers are delivering more value, faster, without sacrificing quality. 1. ACHIEVING TOTAL CLARITY ON CONTRACT CHANGES In transactional work, the slightest change can create significant risk. A tweak to a definition or a clause can ripple through dozens of sections, potentially undermining the intent of the agreement. Historically, lawyers have spent hours manually reviewing contracts to identify these dependencies. Even with the sharpest attention to detail, fatigue and time pressure mean errors are inevitable. Today, AI-powered document review tools are providing lawyers with a comprehensive view of these ripple effects. They can analyze the first-, second, and even third-order consequences of a single edit, surfacing every dependency within a contract. This shift allows lawyers to catch issues faster, minimize surprises in negotiations, and protect their clients from unintended liabilities. For clients, this level of visibility is a competitive advantage. Deals move forward more confidently, and trust in the lawyer's ability to deliver an airtight agreement grows. 2. RECLAIMING TIME FOR CLIENT-FACING STRATEGY Ask any transactional lawyer where their time goes, and they will tell you: hours lost to manual review. Industry data suggests contract drafting and editing can consume 50–60% of a lawyer's time. These tasks are essential but repetitive, leaving little room for in-depth client counseling, effective negotiation strategies, or proactive risk analysis. AI-driven automation is helping lawyers reclaim this time. By delegating repetitive tasks, such as clause validation, cross- reference checking, and contract summarization, to intelligent systems, lawyers can focus on higher-value work. Rather than Unlocking strategic growth now depends on shedding this low-value manual work and reclaiming time for higher- level client counsel.

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