Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Legal Practice: From Automation to Augmented Lawyering

Authors

  • Thi Viet Ha Nguyen Attorney at Law (French Bar) and Associate Professor, Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63029/t39w1n65

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, Augmented Lawyering, Legal Profession, Law Firm Transformation, Professional Secrecy, Data Security

Abstract

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the legal profession worldwide. Rather than replacing lawyers, AI reshapes legal workflows, automating routine tasks such as research, document review, and contract analysis, while enhancing human judgment, ethics, and strategic decision-making. This article examines these changes through theoretical and empirical lenses, focusing on the French legal system. It highlights organizational shifts in law firms, including new governance structures, multidisciplinary teams, and AI management practices ensuring ethical compliance and data security. The article concludes that the future of law lies in human–machine collaboration, where AI augments lawyers’ professional values of responsibility, trust, and justice: from Automation to Augmented Lawyering.

References

Nyamekye, S., & Kwarteng, A. H. (2025). Dynamic capabilities and factors contributing to business continuity in professional service firms: Evidence from law practice in an emerging economy. Management Research Quarterly, 2(2), 23–37. https://doi.org/10.63029/p0y23j20 DOI: https://doi.org/10.63029/p0y23j20

Monod, E. (2025). AI-human interaction: Insights from organizational behavior and AI ethics in AI supervision. Management Research Quarterly, 2(2), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.63029/rqg5z883 DOI: https://doi.org/10.63029/rqg5z883

Lissillour, R., & Monod, E. (2024). The illusion of transparency: Examining power dynamics in AI implementation strategies. Revue internationale de psychosociologie et de gestion des comportements organisationnels, 30(80), 79–114. https://doi.org/10.3917/rips1.080.0079 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3917/rips1.080.0079

Faulconbridge, J., Sarwar, A., & Spring, M. (2023). How professionals adapt to artificial intelligence: The role of intertwined boundary work. Journal of Management Studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12936 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12936

Jha, A. (2025). Artificial intelligence, occupation, and skills pattern: An empirical study on legal professionals. International Journal of Law and Society. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20250803.15 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijls.20250803.15

Legg, M., & Bell, F. (2020). Artificial intelligence and the legal profession. Hart Publishing. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509931842 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509931842

Alarie, B., Niblett, A., & Yoon, A. (2018). How artificial intelligence will affect the practice of law. University of Toronto Law Journal, 68, 106–124. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3066816 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3138/utlj.2017-0052

Fang, C., Wilkenfeld, J., Navick, N., & Gibbs, J. (2023). “AI Am Here to Represent You”: Understanding how institutional logics shape attitudes toward intelligent technologies in legal work. Management Communication Quarterly, 37, 941–970. https://doi.org/10.1177/08933189231158282 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/08933189231158282

Darmawan, A., & Soesatyo, B. (2025). The impact of artificial intelligence utilization on advocacy practices and professional ethics in the legal field. Devotion: Journal of Research and Community Service. https://doi.org/10.59188/devotion.v6i7.25476 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59188/devotion.v6i7.25476

Faulconbridge, J. (2025). Trajectories of legal work in the context of machine learning AI: Conceptualising mediated evolution. International Journal of the Legal Profession, 32, 97–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/09695958.2025.2458039 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09695958.2025.2458039

Brooks, C., Gherhes, C., & Vorley, T. (2020). Artificial intelligence in the legal sector: Pressures and challenges of transformation. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society. https://doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsz026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsz026

Xiang, Y. (2025). Research on the trend of the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession. Dispute Settlement. https://doi.org/10.12677/ds.2025.115180 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12677/ds.2025.115180

Arora, A. (2025). The intersection of AI and legal expertise: Transforming knowledge work in the legal profession. World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.30574/wjaets.2025.15.2.0726 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjaets.2025.15.2.0726

Arora, A. (2025). The evolving role of artificial intelligence in legal education and research. Law and World. https://doi.org/10.36475/11.1.7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36475/11.1.7

Cardoso, G. (2024). Desafio do advogado com o impacto da inteligência artificial. RCMOS - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar O Saber. https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i1.2024.537 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i1.2024.537

Diwakar, V. (2024). The impact of artificial intelligence on legal practices. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research, 6(5). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i05.29557 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i05.29557

Shahid, A., Qureshi, G., & Chaudhary, F. (2023). Transforming legal practice: The role of AI in modern law. Journal of Strategic Policy and Global Affairs. https://doi.org/10.58669/jspga.v04.i01.04 DOI: https://doi.org/10.58669/jspga.v04.i01.04

Yang, Y. (2025). Artificial intelligence and the future of law—Taking lawyers' skills as an observation. International Journal of Education, Culture and Society. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20251002.14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20251002.14

Nielsen, A., Skylaki, S., Norkute, M., & Stremitzer, A. (2024). Building a better lawyer: Experimental evidence that artificial intelligence can increase legal work efficiency. Journal of Empirical Legal Studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/jels.12396 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jels.12396

Ashley, K. D. (2017). Artificial intelligence and legal analytics: New tools for law practice in the digital age. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316761380 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316761380

Armour, J., Parnham, R., & Sako, M. (2020). Augmented lawyering. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3688896 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3688896

Hodge, S. (2023). Revolutionizing justice: Unleashing the power of artificial intelligence. SMU Science and Technology Law Review, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.25172/smustlr.26.2.3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25172/smustlr.26.2.3

Conseil d’État. (2018). Intelligence artificielle et action publique. La Documentation française.

Conseil National des Barreaux. (2017). Livre blanc sur l’intelligence artificielle (mises à jour régulières). CNB.

Conseil National des Barreaux. (2021). Avocat augmenté : Quelles compétences pour demain ? Rapport de la Commission prospective. CNB.

Conseil National des Barreaux. (2022). Intelligence artificielle et profession d’avocat. CNB.

Conseil des barreaux européens. (2023). Lignes directrices sur l’utilisation de l’intelligence artificielle par les avocats. CCBE.

Défenseur des droits. (2020). Algorithmes : Prévenir l’arbitraire. Paris.

Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés. (2017). Algorithmes et intelligence artificielle : Enjeux éthiques et juridiques (Série de publications 2017–2023). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3516337 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3516337

Sénat français. (2019). L’intelligence artificielle : Enjeux et perspectives pour la justice (Rapport d’information no 464). Sénat.

European Commission. (2019). Ethics guidelines for trustworthy artificial intelligence. European Commission.

École de Formation du Barreau (EFB). (2020). Rapports pédagogiques sur l’intégration des legal tech et de l’intelligence artificielle (Série de rapports 2020–2024). EFB.

École Nationale de la Magistrature. (2019). L’intelligence artificielle au service de la justice (Actes de colloque). ENM.

Julienne, C. (2021). Le secret professionnel de l’avocat à l’épreuve de l’intelligence artificielle. Gazette du Palais, (20).

Roche, S. (2020). Avocat et intelligence artificielle : Entre opportunité et vigilance déontologique. Gazette du Palais, (38).

Sire, M. (2020). L’avocat à l’ère de l’intelligence artificielle. Gazette du Palais, (5).

Bensamoun, A. (2020). Droit et intelligence artificielle : Quels enjeux pour les juristes ? Revue Lamy Droit de l’Immatériel, (164).

Bensoussan, A. (2021). Intelligence artificielle et responsabilité juridique. Revue Lamy Droit de l’Immatériel, (176).

Cadiet, L. (2017). Justice prédictive, intelligence artificielle et office du juge. Recueil Dalloz, 1559.

Donier, V. (2019). L’intelligence artificielle et le droit : Entre fantasmes et réalités. Revue du droit public, 2019(3), 695–714. https://doi.org/10.3917/dsso.082.0028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3917/dsso.082.0028

Donier, V. (2019). L’intelligence artificielle et la transformation des professions juridiques. Revue française d’administration publique, 170(2), 403–418.

Féral-Schuhl, C. (2019). Justice et numérique. Dalloz.

Loiseau, G. (2018). L’intelligence artificielle et le droit : Essai de qualification juridique. Archives de philosophie du droit, 60, 251–272. https://doi.org/10.37324/1818-000-038-011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37324/1818-000-038-011

Mathieu, B. (2019). L’intelligence artificielle et l’avenir des professions juridiques. Pouvoirs, 169, 93–104.

Perrot, R. (2020). La justice prédictive. Dalloz.

Supiot, A. (2019). La gouvernance par les nombres et l’intelligence artificielle. Droit social, (4), 305–316.

Susskind, R. (2013). Demain les avocats ? Odile Jacob. (Traduction française)

Susskind, R. (2017). Tomorrow’s lawyers (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Lissillour, R. (2022). Dispositions and conditioning towards sustainability in the supply chain: A habitus perspective in the field of shipping. Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal, 23(4), 409–424. https://doi.org/10.1080/16258312.2022.2137428 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/16258312.2022.2137428

Lissillour, R., Fulconis, F., & Paché, G. (2023). Bourdieu au pays de la logistique : Quelles implications méthodologiques pour la recherche en supply chain management ? Logistique & Management, 31(3), 181–193. https://doi.org/10.1080/12507970.2022.2154714 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/12507970.2022.2154714

Libmann, A.-M. (2025). De l'intrusion à l'innovation : Collecte de données, agents intelligents et tendances IA. Bases, 433, N.PAG.

Sahut, J.-M., Braune, É., & Lissillour, R. (2023). A problematization of artificial intelligence ethics: Deliberative democracy versus agonistic pluralism. Management & Prospective, 40(6), 186–199. https://doi.org/10.3917/g2000.406.0186 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3917/g2000.406.0186

Sahut, J.-M., Braune, É., & Lissillour, R. (2023). AI development and ethical issues: Shifting from a static to a dynamic perspective. Management & Avenir, 137(5), 137–158. https://doi.org/10.3917/mav.137.0137 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3917/mav.137.0137

Ghrayche, N. G., Rodriguez-Escobar, J. A., Lissillour, R., & Ramjawan, S. (2025). Telework performance in fragile states: Examining the roles of job demands, resources, and leadership. Management Research Quarterly, 2(1), 14–28. https://doi.org/10.63029/24z6ym31 DOI: https://doi.org/10.63029/24z6ym31

Cui, Y. (2025). Leading through uncertainty: Psychological empowerment, robotic management, and telework performance. Management Research Quarterly, 2(1), 1–4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.63029/h24x9r81

Desmarchelier, B. (2024). Exploring organizational learning in the era of emerging technologies. Management Research Quarterly, 1(2), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.63029/n1pprk28 DOI: https://doi.org/10.63029/n1pprk28

Wei, Y. (2024). Exploring the emerging intellectual structure in AI marketing publications: A text analysis study. Management Research Quarterly, 1(2), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.63029/sf9va853 DOI: https://doi.org/10.63029/sf9va853

Downloads

Published

2026-01-26

How to Cite

Nguyen, T. V. H. (2026). Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Legal Practice: From Automation to Augmented Lawyering. Management Research Quarterly, 2(3), 19-27. https://doi.org/10.63029/t39w1n65

Similar Articles

31-37 of 37

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.