Clients And GenAI: Lawyers Better Be Ready To Deal With It

Above the Law

by Stephen Embry

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The rise of Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping the dynamics between lawyers and their clients, creating new challenges for trust and communication in legal practice. As clients increasingly turn to AI tools like large language models (LLMs) for legal advice and decision-making, they are bringing a third party into the attorney-client relationship—one that operates without the same ethical or professional safeguards as licensed attorneys. This shift raises significant concerns about how lawyers will maintain trust, manage expectations, and navigate conflicts between human judgment and AI-generated insights. Recent research by Deloitte highlights the growing prevalence of clients using GenAI to perform legal tasks, with 60% of surveyed Dutch law firms reporting that clients now rely on these tools for simple legal work. This trend extends beyond routine tasks; clients are also using AI for strategic advice, often before even consulting a lawyer. While this may seem efficient, it introduces risks: GenAI tools can provide incorrect or misleading information, leading clients to make poor decisions based on flawed advice. For instance, if a client acts on bad legal advice from an AI without consulting a human expert, they could unknowingly harm their case or financial position. The integration of AI into client decision-making also complicates the lawyer-client dynamic. Lawyers traditionally rely on their expertise to guide clients and persuade them of the best course of action. However, when clients are influenced by AI-generated insights—often tailored to align with their biases—they may resist the lawyer’s professional judgment. This creates a clash between the lawyer’s objective analysis and the client’s belief in their own version of events or strategy. Such conflicts can delay resolution, lead to missed settlement opportunities, and ultimately undermine trust in the legal process. The stakes are high for lawyers to adapt to this evolving landscape. Failing to address these challenges could erode confidence in their expertise and advice. Legal professionals must find ways to integrate AI tools responsibly while maintaining control over client decisions and ensuring that their guidance remains central to the attorney-client relationship. The ability to navigate this intersection of technology and human judgment will be critical for lawyers aiming to preserve trust, deliver quality legal services, and uphold the integrity of justice in an increasingly AI-driven world.

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Originally published on Above the Law on 2/20/2026