Gilbert + Tobin Embraces AI to Transform Legal Services

Gilbert + Tobin, a prominent corporate law firm in Australia, is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its services and workplace environment. The firm, known for its expertise in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, disputes, and technology, aims to establish itself as a leader in the legal market through AI integration.

To initiate its AI journey, Gilbert + Tobin encouraged its employees to experiment with AI tools, starting with ChatGPT Enterprise, ChatGPT Work, and Codex. This approach transitioned from individual assistance to more structured workflows, with human oversight for review and approval.

In a conversation with Sam Nickless, Partner and Chief Executive Officer at Gilbert + Tobin, he outlined the firm’s three primary objectives: improving client services, enhancing employee satisfaction, and solidifying its market leadership. Nickless emphasized that the value derived from AI has not been about cost reduction but rather about allowing employees to focus on more human aspects of their roles, such as client interactions and team mentorship.

“It’s been about…freeing them up to then do the more human side of their work.” —Sam Nickless, Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Gilbert + Tobin

Nickless described the firm’s AI adoption as a three-phase journey: experimentation, personal productivity, and organizational productivity. Initially, employees were encouraged to explore ChatGPT in a safe environment, ensuring no client data was compromised. Following this, the firm implemented ChatGPT Enterprise with robust security measures, including Australian data residency and role-based access, to scale AI usage while meeting client requirements.

High adoption rates have been noted, with 87% of enabled ChatGPT users actively engaging with the technology, significantly higher than typical usage rates for other tools at the firm. Nickless attributes this success to leadership engagement, where leaders actively use AI, encouraging others to follow suit.

“Getting started yourself…sets the tone and encourages others.” —Sam Nickless, Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Gilbert + Tobin

Nickless has integrated ChatGPT into his workflow by creating a “digital twin” through a custom GPT, which reflects his writing style and feedback preferences. This tool has become valuable for his team, allowing them to receive feedback in a manner that aligns with his context before direct discussions.

Additionally, Nickless utilized ChatGPT Work for a confidential annual review involving 120 partners, streamlining tasks such as updating files and creating PDFs, completing the work in minutes. He noted that the cost for this efficient process was approximately $62, representing significant time savings compared to traditional methods.

For other CEOs embarking on a similar AI journey, Nickless advises starting with personal experimentation to understand the technology’s capabilities and limitations. He emphasizes the importance of clear governance and practical enablement, providing tailored examples for teams and encouraging responsible testing of ideas.

Nickless believes that the potential of AI extends beyond mere efficiency gains, stating that when used effectively, it can enhance the quality and volume of work produced, allowing employees to focus on complex, strategic tasks that leverage their expertise.

For more insights into Gilbert + Tobin’s collaboration with OpenAI, a detailed case study is available.

Source: OpenAI News