The use of AI tools for lawyers is no longer an emerging trend, but an established reality in legal practice. From contract review to predictive litigation analysis, artificial intelligence is reshaping legal practice in Spain and across Europe.

In this context, specialized training is essential. The Masters in Law programs at Esade Law School incorporate Harvey AI, preparing legal professionals to use these technologies professionally, ethically, and strategically.

But how is AI for lawyers transforming the profession? In this article, we analyze its impact, the most important practical applications, and the legal AI tools making a difference in law firms and legal departments.

The impact of artificial intelligence on the transformation of the legal profession

The adoption of artificial intelligence in the Spanish legal sector is advancing rapidly. According to data published by Economist & Jurist in 2025, nearly 80% of lawyers regularly use artificial intelligence tools in their professional practice. This figure confirms that AI in the legal sector is no longer experimental and is already part of everyday legal work in Spain.

The question is no longer whether AI will transform the legal profession,
but how it is already doing so and which skills lawyers now need.

Beyond automation: how AI is redefining the lawyer’s role

Reducing AI to an automation tool is a strategic mistake. Legal AI not only accelerates repetitive tasks; it also:

  • Improves large-scale document analysis.
  • Identifies patterns in case law.
  • Streamlines contract risk management.
  • Supports data-driven decision-making.

As a result, lawyers are no longer focused exclusively on drafting documents and can instead concentrate on their role as strategists, analysts, and trusted advisors.

New skills for the lawyer of the future

The expansion of AI in law requires new skills:

  • Understanding new AI-assisted workflows.
  • Ability to review and validate AI-generated outputs.
  • Knowledge of the European regulatory framework.
  • Ethical and responsible use of AI tools.

However, as we already noted in our article on the impact of artificial intelligence on university education, there is a significant training gap: while 89% of university students use AI in their daily lives, only 34% have received specific training within the university setting.

Given this reality, integrating specialized AI tools into the Masters in Law programs at Esade Law School addresses the need to train lawyers capable of using them with judgment, responsibility, and regulatory awareness.

5 practical applications of artificial intelligence for lawyers

1. AI-assisted legal research

AI makes it possible to analyze large volumes of case law and legal doctrine in seconds, identify relevant precedents, and detect argumentative patterns in court decisions. This doesn’t replace legal analysis, but it does significantly reduce research and organization time.

2. Intelligent contract review and analysis

AI systems can:

  • Detect risky clauses.
  • Compare contract versions.
  • Identify inconsistencies.
  • Suggest drafting improvements.

In complex transactions, this capability strengthens contractual consistency and reduces the risk of omissions in document-intensive environments.

3. Automated due diligence

In mergers and acquisitions processes, AI facilitates the large-scale review of corporate and contractual documentation. Recent industry studies indicate that integrating AI tools into complex document review processes, such as due diligence, can significantly reduce review times, allowing teams to focus on the strategic assessment of legal risk.

4. AI-assisted drafting of legal documents

Generative AI accelerates the preparation of initial drafts of contracts, court filings, and legal reports. The key is human oversight: AI generates suggestions, while the lawyer validates, adjusts, and assumes professional responsibility.

5. Predictive litigation analysis

The analysis of judicial data through artificial intelligence makes it possible to estimate probabilities of success, procedural timelines, and case law trends. Although these predictions do not replace legal judgment, they do provide an additional layer of strategic information for decision-making.

Artificial intelligence tools for lawyers

When discussing artificial intelligence tools for lawyers, it is important to distinguish between:

  • General-purpose AI
    General-purpose solutions, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, can generate text, summarize documents, and answer questions. They are useful for preliminary tasks, but they may present limitations in legal accuracy, source traceability, and their ability to operate effectively in complex regulatory environments. Their use requires constant supervision and expert validation.
  • Specialized legal AI
    Tools designed specifically for legal work, such as Harvey, Lexis+ AI, or Westlaw, incorporate legal databases, models trained on legal and regulatory language, and features adapted to professional workflows.

This distinction is critical when answering the common question, “What is the best artificial intelligence for lawyers in Spain?” The answer depends not only on the model’s capabilities, but also on how well it fits the professional context and the type of task involved.

The future of the legal profession in the age of artificial intelligence

The future of artificial intelligence in the legal sector will be shaped by three decisive factors:

  1. Technical specialization.
  2. European regulation.
  3. Advanced training.

The European Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AI Act) establishes a regulatory framework that classifies systems according to risk levels and sets specific obligations for their development and use. For legal professionals, this means understanding not only how to use AI tools, but also how to comply with transparency, accountability, and regulatory requirements.

Harvey AI and Esade: the pioneering partnership shaping the future of legal education in Spain

Esade Law School has signed a collaboration agreement with Harvey, a generative AI tool designed specifically for legal work, which is integrated into its Masters in Law programs.

Harvey is specifically designed for lawyers and legal departments. Unlike general-purpose solutions, it integrates into real legal workflows and enables greater speed and accuracy in tasks such as:

  • Contract drafting and review.
  • Legal research.
  • Structured risk analysis.

Its integration into Esade strengthens an educational model that combines academic rigor, technical specialization, and responsible use of technology in an international environment.

Training in an ecosystem that integrates specialized legal AI not only improves employability, but also prepares professionals to take on leadership positions in the transformation of the legal sector.

Frequently asked questions

Which practical applications of artificial intelligence are most useful for practicing lawyers?

The main applications are AI-assisted legal research, intelligent contract review, automated due diligence, and predictive litigation analysis. All require human oversight and professional judgment.

How does Esade ensure that its students use legal AI ethically?

The training combines the practical integration of tools such as Harvey with a focus on professional responsibility, knowledge of the European regulatory framework, and human validation of results.

Which Esade Law School programs include access to Harvey AI?

Harvey is integrated into the following Spanish-language programs:

What is the best artificial intelligence for lawyers in Spain?

There is no single “best” tool, but rather solutions that are better suited depending on the type of practice and level of specialization. Specialized legal tools (such as Harvey or Lexis+ AI) generally offer greater accuracy in complex legal tasks than general-purpose solutions (such as ChatGPT or Gemini).

Which AI tools are most recommended for lawyers in Spain?

The choice depends on the professional context and the required level of integration. In the academic field, Esade Law School has chosen to integrate Harvey, a tool designed specifically for professional legal practice, as part of its educational model.

Advance your legal career in the age of artificial intelligence. Discover how the Masters in Law at Esade Law School integrate specialized AI and get ready to lead the transformation of the legal sector.