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The AI Overwhelm: How Legal Management Professionals Can Avoid Burnout and Stay Productive

AI can be helpful for legal operations, but follow these tips to avoid feeling overwhelmed by it.
By Rachel Strella
February 2025
 

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a more integral part of legal operations, those working on the business side of law firms face unique challenges. Whether it’s managing AI-driven marketing tools, automating workflows, or streamlining billing and document management, the rapid pace of AI’s evolution can quickly become overwhelming.

While AI offers tremendous opportunities for improving efficiency, it can also bring about burnout. For legal managers, the key to managing AI without feeling overwhelmed is to stay productive and maintain a balanced workload. So, how can legal managers incorporate AI effectively without burning out?

1. DON’T FEEL THE PRESSURE TO KEEP PACE WITH AI

AI tools seem to evolve daily, with new features designed to streamline tasks like marketing automation, case management and client communication. For legal managers, trying to stay ahead of these advancements can feel like a full-time job. Whether it’s a new marketing platform or an updated document automation system, there’s always something new to master.

Tip: Set aside specific time to explore new tools regularly. Instead of reacting to every AI development, designate times to evaluate what’s relevant for your firm. This helps you focus on tools that truly align with your firm’s goals.

2. AVOID OVER-RELIANCE ON AI FOR CREATIVE MARKETING

AI has revolutionized marketing by generating content ideas, automating social posts and analyzing client data to tailor campaigns. However, relying too heavily on AI can result in impersonal marketing. While AI can suggest efficient solutions, it doesn’t always capture the emotional insight necessary to build connections.

For legal firms, where client relationships and trust are paramount, this lack of human connection can be damaging.

As AI takes over administrative tasks, it’s easy to lose sight of the human element. AI can handle much of the behind-the-scenes work, but client relationships and team collaboration still require a personal touch.

Tip: Use AI to support — not replace — your creative process. AI can speed up tasks like content ideation or audience targeting, but your insights are key to making sure the marketing resonates with your audience. In law, where trust and personal connections matter, your firm’s unique touch makes all the difference.

3. NAVIGATE THE AI LEARNING CURVE

For many legal management professionals, AI tools present a steep learning curve. Even tools that promise to make workflows more efficient require time to master. Whether it’s using AI for billing, scheduling or document review, the time and effort required to learn new systems can feel overwhelming, especially when added to an already full workload.

Tip: Start small. Focus on solving one problem at a time. Begin by using AI to automate a routine task like scheduling or document management. As you and your team become more comfortable, you can expand AI’s use into other areas of your firm without overwhelming the team.

4. PRESERVE THE HUMAN ELEMENT

As AI takes over administrative tasks, it’s easy to lose sight of the human element. AI can handle much of the behind-the-scenes work, but client relationships and team collaboration still require a personal touch. Legal marketing, in particular, benefits from human interaction, as clients value a personal connection when choosing a firm.

Tip: Use AI to free up time for building relationships. Automating routine tasks gives you more time to engage with clients and collaborate with your team. AI should enhance your ability to connect with clients, not replace it.

5. BALANCE EFFICIENCY AND ETHICS

Another challenge of AI is maintaining ethical standards. AI systems are trained on vast amounts of data, and sometimes these datasets can reflect biases or inaccuracies. Left unchecked, AI can perpetuate biases or generate outputs that misalign with your firm’s values. For legal management professionals, where trust, fairness and integrity are crucial, this risk must be addressed.

Tip: Regularly review AI-generated content and outputs to ensure they align with your firm’s values. Establish clear ethical guidelines for AI use and involve your team in reviewing potential concerns. By maintaining oversight, you’ll ensure that AI supports your firm’s mission while avoiding legal or ethical issues.

AI has the potential to transform legal management by streamlining processes, improving marketing efforts and freeing up time for higher-level tasks. However, if not approached thoughtfully, it can lead to burnout. By setting boundaries around AI use, gradually integrating the tools and ensuring they enhance — rather than replace — the human connection at the core of legal relationships, legal managers can make the most of AI without feeling overwhelmed.

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