🧠 Smarter Business Guide:

How to Choose the Right AI Tools for Your Law Firm or Accounting Practice

If you run a small or mid-sized law or accounting firm, you’ve probably heard a lot about AI.

You’ve also probably asked yourself:

"Is this something we actually need—or just another shiny object?"

The truth is, AI is here to stay—but not every AI tool is built for firms like yours.
Picking the right ones (and ignoring the hype) can help your team work smarter, serve clients better, and stay competitive—without blowing the budget.

Here’s a simple guide to navigating AI for your business.

🛠️ Step 1: Start With Your Biggest Bottlenecks

Before buying anything, ask:

• Where are we wasting time today?

• Where are errors costing us money or credibility?

• Where do we have repetitive, predictable tasks?

For most firms, the first AI wins happen in:

• Drafting and summarizing emails, memos, and documents

• Scheduling, transcription, and meeting follow-up

• Document management and file organization

• Basic bookkeeping or financial data entry

Start small where AI can help immediately—not where it will create more confusion.

📊 Step 2: Choose Trusted, Business-Grade Platforms

Stick to well-known, business-focused tools first.
(You don’t want your client documents ending up in some free app’s training database.)

Here’s where to start:

✅ Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365

• Integrates into Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams

• Drafts, summarizes, analyzes, and saves serious admin time

• Best first step if you’re already using Microsoft 365

✅ Grammarly Business

• Helps polish documents, emails, and pleadings for clarity and professionalism

• Especially valuable for client-facing communication

✅ Dext Prepare (for accountants)

• Automates receipt capture, categorization, and bookkeeping tasks

✅ Casetext CoCounsel (for law firms)

• Assists with drafting memos, summarizing depositions, and initial case research

✅ Otter.ai

• Auto-transcribes meetings and client calls; great for documentation

These platforms are affordable, secure, and realistic for SMBs.

🚨 Step 3: Watch for AI’s Limitations

AI can boost productivity—but it’s not a replacement for human expertise.
Make sure you:

🔎 Proofread everything AI drafts
Even the best AI can "hallucinate" or generate wrong answers.

🔒 Check data security and compliance
Make sure the tools you use meet HIPAA, ABA, IRS, or other regulatory standards.

🎯 Use AI for drafts and research—not final client work
Think of it like a very fast assistant—not a final authority.

📈 Step 4: Plan for Smart Integration

Once you pick the right tools, train your team to use them wisely:

• Set clear policies on what AI can and can't be used for

• Build AI into existing workflows (email drafting, note summarization, billing)

• Assign someone to oversee how AI is working and evolving over time

At Big Water Technologies, we help SMB firms integrate AI safely—so you get the benefits without compromising your professionalism, compliance, or client trust.

💡 Final Word:

AI should make your work easier, not harder.

Start with tools that solve real problems today.
Use them to free up your team for the high-value, high-trust work that really matters.

And as AI keeps evolving?
We'll be here to help you navigate what’s smart, safe, and sustainable for your business.

📩 Want help building a realistic AI plan for your practice?
Let's talk.