The debate around artificial intelligence has hit the legal world with full force. What was a future topic just a few years ago has become reality today. Many of us have already realised that expectations are changing rapidly. Clients, internal stakeholders and even junior lawyers know: speed and precision are no longer opposites. Quite the contrary – AI has become the new standard, especially in law. For law firms and legal departments, this means: those who act now can shape the transformation. Those who wait risk being left behind.

The Market Is Changing Faster Than Many Think

At the heart of this transformation lies a simple truth: legal quality remains essential, but it is no longer enough on its own. Clients and internal stakeholders today compare not just expertise, but also efficiency. They expect legal advice to run as smoothly as other business processes. As lawyers, we must be aware that our stakeholders already know how much efficiency AI makes possible. The pace is set externally – by technological advances and by the growing normality with which AI is already being used in other areas. Legal work must keep up – without compromising on quality, security, or control.

Two Perspectives, One Shared Goal

Law Firms

Smaller and mid-sized firms feel the pressure most acutely. Clients now compare legal services not only in terms of quality, but also by speed, efficiency, transparency, and whether AI is naturally integrated into the work. At the same time, firms are understandably cautious: they don’t want major IT projects or risks with sensitive data. They’re looking for a simple, secure way to take their first steps with modern technology – right where they already work every day. That’s exactly where CASUS comes in: with a solution that integrates seamlessly into Microsoft Word, is hosted in Switzerland and the EU, and allows lawyers to be productive immediately – without compromising on security or quality.

Legal Departments

In-house teams are also feeling the acceleration. Almost every department in the company is already using AI, and the legal team is under pressure not to fall behind. The expectation: “more for less” – but without extra budget or new IT dependencies. CASUS provides a pragmatic answer: a plug-and-play solution that fits directly into existing workflows, with no implementation required. This allows legal departments to prove they can combine efficiency and compliance – and secure their role within an increasingly digital organisation.

Stagnation or Shadow IT – Both Lead to Loss of Control

Whether in law firms or companies, the real threat isn’t the technology – it’s standing still. Because if lawyers don’t decide how they want to use AI, others will decide for them. In practice, this often means that employees start experimenting with freely available tools – tools that store data on US servers or aren’t designed for confidentiality. The risk: client data, personnel files, or trade secrets leave controlled systems – often without anyone knowing. The alternative: build AI competence – but with the right tools.

Why Now

AI isn’t a passing trend. It’s here to stay – and it’s changing how legal work is perceived and valued. Those who lay the foundations today secure a crucial advantage:

• More time for legal substance, less effort on repetitive work.

• Secure data processing within Switzerland and the EU.

• No technical hurdles, no IT project, no risk.

The CASUS Approach

Change is here – whether we welcome it or not. The good news: legal teams don’t have to choose between security and efficiency. Those who act now can have both: full control over data and processes – and all the advantages of modern Legal AI. CASUS brings AI where legal work actually happens – into Microsoft Word and an intuitive web app. This allows firms and legal departments to automate routine work, respond faster to requests, and focus on what truly matters: legal substance, analysis, and strategy. At CASUS, everything remains fully under control: no IT projects, no data outside Europe, and no compromises on security or quality.