At the recent Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) AI Meeting, Larry Piazza of Lewis and Llewellyn joined Christian Kelly, Chief Technology Officer at Xantrion, to share real-world insights on implementing artificial intelligence in professional services firms.
Their session focused on what many organizations are asking right now: How do we adopt AI safely, strategically, and with measurable business impact?
Why Leadership is Important in AI Adoption
Many firms are intrigued by AI’s potential but struggle to take the first step. Piazza and Kelly emphasized that success begins with executive sponsorship and a clear roadmap.
“AI implementation isn’t about being first,” said Piazza. “It’s about following a process that works.”
Clients are increasingly driving the conversation. Requests for proposals (RFPs) now routinely ask firms to explain how they’re leveraging AI for efficiency, cost savings, and quality improvement. In this environment, AI readiness isn’t optional, it’s a competitive necessity.
From Chatbots to Intelligent Agents
Kelly noted that the AI landscape is evolving quickly. While many professionals are familiar with chat-based large language models (LLMs), the next wave of innovation lies in AI agents — tools capable of acting across integrated systems.
“Think of an agent that can securely connect your document management system to other SaaS platforms,” Kelly explained. “It’s not just answering questions — it’s doing the work.”
This evolution is particularly meaningful for law firms, where secure automation and data governance are non-negotiable.
The Five-Phase Roadmap to Responsible AI
Piazza and Kelly shared a five-step framework that has guided their joint AI journey:
- Assessment – Identify business goals and AI opportunities aligned with firm strategy.
- Security – Prioritize data protection, access control, and vendor compliance.
- Policy – Define responsible use guidelines and ethical boundaries.
- Pilot Program – Start small to validate workflows and benefits.
- Scaling and Measurement – Track results, refine processes, and expand adoption.
This approach ensures innovation happens within a secure, well-governed framework, which is a key principle of Xantrion’s managed IT and cybersecurity philosophy.
Choosing Enterprise-Grade Tools with Security in Mind
The discussion highlighted several AI platforms gaining traction in professional services, including:
- ChatGPT Enterprise
- Perplexity Enterprise Pro
- Microsoft Copilot
- Harvey AI (for legal workflows)
- Trellis (for integrated research and analytics)
Kelly emphasized that security and privacy controls must remain front and center. “Most SaaS products now embed AI features,” he noted. “What matters is whether those features meet your organization’s security, compliance, and data governance requirements.”
Where AI Delivers Value Today
AI is already transforming daily operations across legal and corporate environments. Key applications include:
- Automating document summarization and legal research
- Drafting and refining client communications
- Handling data-heavy comparisons, such as insurance or compliance reviews
When properly governed, AI can manage up to 90% of these workloads, improving turnaround times and accuracy while freeing professionals to focus on higher-value work.
Turning Curiosity into Capability
For many firms, AI readiness begins with asking the right questions about risk, data integrity, and return on investment.
Xantrion helps clients navigate these challenges by pairing technical expertise with strategic guidance.
As Kelly concluded, “AI can drive tremendous value, but only when it’s built on a foundation of trust, security, and governance. That’s where our role as a technology partner becomes essential.”
Choosing a Partner for the Next Step
Whether your organization is exploring its first AI pilot or looking to expand secure automation across systems, Xantrion can help you move forward with confidence.
Contact us to discuss your AI readiness and discover how a secure, well-planned approach can accelerate your firm’s success.
