P2P

P E E R T O P E E R M A G A Z I N E · S P R I N G 2 0 2 6 41 driven. Case assessment leads to fact development. Fact development informs motion practice and deposition preparation. Trial strategy depends on a unified understanding of documents, transcripts, issues, people, and timelines. When AI tools operate in isolation -- one for document summarization, another for transcript analysis, another for research -- the connective tissue between these stages weakens. Lawyers may gain incremental efficiencies, but they lose the strategic advantage that comes from integrated insight across the entire case lifecycle. Consolidation will favor AI- enabled platforms that centralize workflows and connect them at every stage. Instead of forcing teams to move data between systems, these platforms embed context-enabled AI directly into the fabric of the case, where legal professionals already manage documents, build chronologies, organize issues, and collaborate with colleagues and clients. ADOPTION IS THE REAL DIFFERENTIATOR One of the most common challenges litigation leaders face is uneven AI adoption. Senior litigators may embrace AI for high-level case analysis, while associates use it for drafting support. Paralegals and litigation support professionals may rely on entirely different workflows. Without alignment, firms fail to realize the compounding value of AI across the case lifecycle. Research underscores this gap. A 2025 report from Ari Kaplan Advisors found that 81% of large law firm litigators reported using case management software and 84% had adopted AI tools in the past year, yet many senior lawyers still spend significant time on manual processes such as building timelines and developing case narratives. As consolidation accelerates, successful firms will prioritize platforms that achieve strong adoption across the entire litigation team -- not just among early adopters. Making AI a natural extension of existing litigation workflows means: • Embedding AI within familiar workflows rather than introducing entirely new environments • Providing role-specific training tied to real case scenarios • Creating internal champions within practice groups who model effective use • Measuring adoption and tying it to defined performance outcomes As the market shifts from proliferation to consolidation, law firms have an opportunity to reset their strategy. CENTRALIZING WORKFLOWS FROM ASSESSMENT TO STRATEGY The complexity of modern litigation continues to grow. The Ari Kaplan Advisors research referenced earlier also found that 87% of litigators report that the amount of data they handle per case has increased, and 81% expect continued growth in ediscovery volumes. As data expands across collaboration platforms, mobile communications, and cross- border operations, disconnected AI tools exacerbate workflow fragmentation rather than resolve it. In that environment, fragmented AI experimentation is not sustainable. Firms preparing for consolidation should invest in platforms that centralize workflows from early case assessment through strategy development and trial preparation. When AI can surface key facts, connect people and events, identify inconsistencies in testimony, and generate structured outlines within a single connected environment, the cumulative impact is significant.

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