The legal industry is entering a new era where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept, it’s already here. AI features are being rapidly rolled out across Document Management Systems (DMS), Practice Management Systems (PMS), and Matter Management platforms, promising significant productivity benefits. But with these advancements come critical questions about data security, intellectual property (IP) protection, and governance.
Recently, Sentrian, iManage, and i2M hosted a live 45-minute webinar to explore these pressing issues and provide practical guidance for law firms navigating the evolving AI landscape.
AI is already embedded in the tools law firms use every day, particularly in DMS platforms, which house a firm’s most sensitive knowledge, matter history, and client IP. While these innovations create exciting new efficiencies, they also introduce risks if data governance is not clearly defined.
As AI capabilities continue to expand, firms must ensure that security protocols, ethical practices, and governance frameworks are keeping pace.
During the webinar, industry experts shared actionable insights, including:
• Where AI is already integrated into the legal software your firm uses daily.
• Why DMS platforms are the biggest current use case for AI in legal practice.
• How Australian law firms are managing AI security and data governance in real time.
• The difference between public-facing AI tools and secure legal AI integrations, and why it matters.
• Tactical use cases for iManage’s new AI capabilities, features many firms aren’t yet aware of.
• Practical cheat sheets to guide internal discussions and governance planning at your firm.
With AI driving deeper automation and decision-making, poor governance isn’t just a risk, it’s a liability. Law firms managing complex or confidential matters must know who can access what data, how AI tools process sensitive information, and what safeguards are in place to ensure compliance.
Our session emphasised a proactive approach to governance, ensuring that legal professionals not only adopt AI effectively but also responsibly.
This webinar was designed to give firms a strong foundation to start building their AI governance strategies. For those who couldn’t attend, a recording and key resources, including our AI Governance Cheat Sheets, are available to help your team move forward with confidence.
As AI continues to reshape legal practice, the question isn’t if your firm will adopt these technologies, but how you will implement them securely, ethically, and effectively.
