Cloud-native tools propel legal ops’ AI future

For decades, legal teams relied on locally hosted infrastructure to manage sensitive documents and power knowledge systems, maintaining operational continuity. But times change, and the age of cloud-enabled AI transformation is upon us, driving initiatives that raise the expectations of legal professionals and clients alike. 

The ABA 2024 Legal Technology Survey Report, for example, showed that 73 percent of firms now utilize cloud-based legal tools, with document management and practice management software seeing the highest adoption rate.

Yet many firms continue to rely on traditional on-prem systems despite their inherent constraints, from limited scalability and slow updates to poor cross-border access. Others are moving to cloud-native platforms, which are fundamentally restructuring how their legal teams work and increasing their AI Confidence™.

Many firms have yet to make the move to cloud. But with turnaround expectations intensifying and transparency now a client priority, the case for migration is becoming urgent. What was once a strategic choice is fast becoming an operational necessity. 

Cloud transformation starts with scale and speed 

On-prem systems simply do not possess the processing power or scalability needed to extract real-time insights from vast and varied legal data repositories. They can’t reliably support collaborative work across multiple jurisdictions, nor can they respond quickly to emerging client and regulatory demands.

How is cloud infrastructure different? With virtually limitless storage and on-demand compute capacity, firms can scale up or down without the delays and costs associated with legacy IT. Updates that once required tight coordination with IT teams and scheduled downtime can be delivered continuously without disruption.

According to the ILTA 2024 Technological Survey, 67 percent of law firms in the ILTA report now hosting their document management system (DMS) libraries in the cloud, an 11 percentage point rise from the previous year. This increase shows industry recognition that cloud environments allow quicker updates and less time spent on system upkeep — at scale. 

Automation and AI meet in the cloud

Cloud-native tools boast more than speed and scalability; they’re also smarter. Vendors are helping firms automate time-consuming tasks such as document classification and contract analysis by embedding AI directly into cloud platforms.

And to reiterate, speed isn’t the main prize on offer here. Yes, with cloud-based AI tools, document repositories that once took days to comb through can now be analyzed in minutes. But this is more about enabling lawyers to focus their time on the legal reasoning and relationship building that distinguishes leading firms from the rest. 

Ask iManage, for example, delivers trusted generative AI answers based on a specific document or documents within a firm’s internal content archive. Embedded within a cloud-native DMS, lawyers can make the most of AI’s power and potential by receiving precise, explainable results without ever leaving their workflow. This dramatically reduces friction, fortifies security, and shortens the pathway from query to insight. 

Governance doesn’t have to mean gridlock

Security and compliance remain top concerns for law firms contemplating a cloud migration. Paradoxically, modern cloud environments are typically more secure than on-prem systems. This is particularly true of on-prem solutions that haven’t been updated in years or rely on scattered platforms with no centralized oversight.

By contrast, cloud platforms can offer a secure, stable, connected foundation with built-in safeguards tailored to modern risks, such as phishing attacks, insider threats, and unauthorized access to client data. Governance models typically include Zero Trust architecture, tight control over document access, encryption by default, and a clear digital paper trail for compliance and oversight. 

Once they move to the cloud, firms often report improved visibility and command over their data. This enables tighter regulatory compliance and stronger client confidentiality protections.

Collaboration for the modern era

Today’s legal work is rarely confined to a single office. Whether reviewing a cross-border merger, responding to global litigation, or collaborating with external counsel, legal teams need the flexibility to work together across time zones, in real time.

Cloud platforms make secure mobile access possible. Instead of emailing documents back and forth or waiting for VPN access, lawyers can co-author documents, share knowledge repositories, and flag issues instantly within a secure, centralized workspace. The added freedom and flexibility provided by apps like iManage Mobility further enhance productivity while reducing the likelihood of version conflicts or missed updates.

New legal talent enters the profession with expectations shaped by a lifetime immersed in consumer tech and the more recent ubiquity of hybrid work. Fresh recruits expect mobile access — but also intuitive systems, seamless workflows, and automation of monotonous tasks. Few have patience for high-friction tools that slow them down.

The future is now

Whereas a decade ago cloud migration might have been considered a future bet, today it’s a proven performance upgrade. Firms that switch see faster document turnaround, fewer handoffs, quicker onboarding for new lawyers, and real-time visibility into client matters. 

Secure cloud infrastructure also makes it easier to deploy AI with confidence: tools like Ask iManage that cut hours of manual work from tasks like document review and legal research. With time and its associated capital returned to the firm, the opportunities for growth and innovation multiply.

The bottom line is that cloud migration no longer about “staying ahead of the curve”; it’s about catching up. And with strong evidence that cloud-native platforms make legal work faster, cleaner, and more responsive, why stay behind? The longer firms wait to migrate, the harder it will be to close the gap between their organization and the industry’s first movers.

This space isn’t new to iManage — we speak from years of experience guiding our customers through this process. We understand the doubts, pressures, and constraints, and we’re here for you.

Let’s chat. Reach out today to book a demo.