A new report from LexisNexis®, a leading global provider of legal information and analytics, reveals that 61% of UK lawyers are now using generative AI in their daily work, helping to improve work-life balance and boost billable productivity. However, two-thirds of respondents warn that slow or outdated organisational cultures risk stalling AI-driven progress.
The report, titled “The AI Culture Clash”, highlights a rapid acceleration in AI adoption across the legal profession. Since January 2025, usage has risen sharply from 46% to 61%, while the proportion of lawyers with no plans to adopt AI has fallen significantly from 15% to just 6%.
Despite these gains, the findings indicate a persistent gap between adoption and integration. Only 17% of legal professionals say AI is fully embedded into their organisation’s strategy and operations, while two-thirds report that their firm’s AI culture remains slow-moving or non-existent.
Among those already using AI, just over half (51%) have chosen tools designed specifically for the legal sector – such as Lexis+ AI – particularly those from medium-sized firms (70%). Confidence in AI rises significantly when it is grounded in trusted legal sources: 88% of those using legal AI exclusively said they feel more confident in its output.
Private practice lawyers are using the time saved by AI to both drive commercial outcomes and improve wellbeing. Over half (56%) reported spending the extra time saved using AI to increase billable work, while 53% said they have used the time to enjoy a better work-life balance.
Priorities differ by firm size and role. Large firms focus on commercial gains, while smaller firms value wellbeing more highly. Across all firm sizes, associates are prioritising increasing billable hours over enjoying a work-life balance.
AI is also accelerating changes to billing models. Almost half (47%) of lawyers now agree AI will transform how firms bill for legal services, up from 40% earlier this year. Law firm leaders and general counsel are particularly attuned to this shift, with 55% and 49% respectively expecting billing models to change.
The findings also suggest a clear talent retention risk for firms that lag behind. Nearly one in five (18%) private practice lawyers and in-house counsel (19%) said they would consider leaving their organisation if it failed to adequately invest in AI. This figure rose to 26% among those at large law firms.
Career concerns are significant: 39% of private practice lawyers and 49% of in-house counsel believe failing to engage with AI would harm their careers.
Commenting on the findings, Stuart Greenhill, Senior Director of Segment Management at LexisNexis UK, said:
“Lawyers are proving that AI delivers clear commercial returns. They’re using it to increase billable hours, rethink pricing models, and deliver more value to clients. Firms that treat AI as a strategic investment, not just an efficiency tool, will gain a decisive edge in profitability and client satisfaction.”
About LexisNexis Legal & Professional
LexisNexis Legal & Professional® provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase their productivity, improve decision-making, achieve better outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 11,800 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.
