Data and AI Readiness: Takeaways Law Firms Can Use Today

The legal industry is at a turning point. AI is everywhere in the headlines, yet most firms are still working out what “AI readiness” really means and what stands in the way of progress.

That is why senior leaders from across the legal sector gathered at The Langham, London, for our Legal Leaders Roundtable: Data Strategy and AI Readiness, chaired by Paul Britton, Managing Director at Britton and Time Solicitors and one of LinkedIn’s Top 100 Influencers in 2025.

The conversation focused on the real blockers and produced ten practical takeaways that legal leaders can use to move from curiosity to controlled, high-value AI adoption.

Fix the Foundations First

The session included expert insights from Wayde Finch, Director of Data and Development Services at Zenzero, who reminded attendees that AI success starts with data readiness.

Wayde outlined the most common data roadblocks holding firms back, including fragmented systems, inconsistent data quality, unmanaged individual AI use, and poor integration and governance, and explained how tackling these early enables genuine transformation.

“AI is only as smart as your data,” Wayde said. “If the foundations are not clean, structured, and connected, no AI tool will deliver reliable results.”

Microsoft Copilot in Practice

Microsoft Copilot featured in the discussion as a clear example of how AI is starting to transform daily legal work. Attendees noted that when it’s built on clean, well-governed data, Copilot can deliver genuine productivity gains across document handling, research, and internal collaboration.

Takeaways

The discussion moved quickly to real-world experience. Delegates compared progress, shared challenges, and offered insight into where the sector stands on its AI journey. Below are the 10 key takeaways every legal leader should note:

1. Client use of AI is a growing concern: Firms need to consider how clients use AI tools when handling advice and correspondence, particularly regarding professional legal privilege.
2. Accuracy is non-negotiable: AI can accelerate work, but “good enough” isn’t acceptable in law. Outputs must be 100% accurate and reliable.
3. Control AI outputs internally: From note-taking to meeting transcripts, firms should manage AI-generated content in-house before sharing with clients.
4. Nuance still matters: AI lacks the subtle judgment and contextual understanding that complex legal work demands. Human expertise remains essential.
5. Treat AI like any new technology: Create dedicated project teams, set policies, and train your people. Avoid ad-hoc, ungoverned individual use that introduces risk.
6. Fix the data foundations: Clean, structured, and connected data enables dependable AI insights and prevents downstream errors.
7. Centralise governance and integration: Consistency and oversight are key to embedding AI responsibly and avoiding fragmented adoption.
8. Prioritise ethics, compliance, and risk management: AI must respect client confidentiality, privilege, and regulatory obligations. Build this thinking in from day one.
9. Invest in upskilling: Educating teams about AI’s potential and its limits builds confidence and consistency across the firm.
10. Start small, then scale: Run pilot projects to test assumptions, demonstrate value, and refine before full rollout.

Voices from the Room

Feedback from guests was overwhelmingly positive, both about the substance of the discussion and the open, peer-driven format:

• “An excellent morning.”
• “Excellent event – so well run, perfect location and a great mix of conversation. A wonderful start to the day!”
• “Another insightful event on AI which could have gone on all day!”
• “It was great to share experiences in a safe environment. I have several takeaways to implement!”
• “Always a fantastic, topical and informative session with an excellent group of experts.”

Attendees valued the ability to discuss live challenges honestly and to walk away with practical next steps rather than generic advice.

Conclusion: Where Law Firms Go from Here

The consensus was clear: law firms can’t afford to wait. Those that take structured, strategic steps now, building strong data foundations, centralised governance, and clear ethical controls, will be ready to lead in the AI-driven legal landscape of 2026 and beyond.

Start small, govern tightly, and scale when your outputs are proven and your people are confident. The firms that invest in clean data, human oversight, and disciplined pilot projects today will be the ones capturing real value from AI tomorrow.

If you missed the roundtable, use these ten takeaways as a sprint plan: audit your data, set a governance framework, pick one low-risk pilot, and build an internal team to shepherd adoption.

Keep an eye on our Events Page for future roundtable sessions exploring cybersecurity, data strategy, and digital transformation, and we’ll help your firm turn AI from a headline into a strategic advantage.