Law in the age of AI: Empirical insights in corporate legal practice

Author : Parth

Abstract :The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) within the broader Industry 4.0 framework has begun to transform the legal profession, particularly in corporate legal practice. This paper explores how AI technologies—including natural language processing, predictive analytics, contract automation, and e-discovery—are being adopted by corporate law firms and in-house legal departments. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with thirty corporate lawyers from a cross-section of multinational and domestic law firms, the study identifies adoption drivers, barriers, and ethical considerations. The research employs a qualitative methodology underpinned by socio-legal and law-and-economics theoretical perspectives. The findings reveal a complex interplay between efficiency gains, ethical dilemmas, and shifts in the professional role of lawyers. The paper contributes to the literature by filling a gap on empirical insights into AI use in legal practice, providing actionable recommendations for practitioners, and setting an agenda for future research. The novelty lies in the integration of qualitative fieldwork with a conceptual framework that links Industry 4.0 technologies to normative legal principles, offering both theoretical and practical contributions to the field

Keywords :Artificial Intelligence, Industry 4.0, Corporate Law, Legal Technology, Empirical Legal Studies.

Conference Name :International Conference on Institutional Development, Business law and Social Science Research (ICIDBSSR-25)

Conference Place Delhi, India

Conference Date 16th Aug 2025