Webinar Recap: 12 Things Clients Will Never Get From ChatGPT and How Law Firms Can Use This Gap to Grow

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of how clients research legal questions before contacting a lawyer. Whether someone opens ChatGPT directly or simply searches online and sees AI generated summaries, many people are gathering information before speaking with an attorney.

This shift is already changing client conversations. Attorneys increasingly meet clients who arrive with AI generated questions, summaries, or even documents.

In this session of Law Firm Growth Ideas, the discussion focused on a practical question: what clients can realistically get from AI tools, what they cannot get, and how law firms should respond to this change.

Rather than focusing on hype, the speakers explored how AI is actually appearing in client interactions today and how attorneys can use these tools responsibly while continuing to provide the judgment and strategy clients rely on.

Speakers

Ben Barry

Chief Operating Officer, Moradi Neufer LLP

Ben oversees all operational, financial, administrative, and talent functions at Moradi Neufer LLP. With more than 20 years of leadership experience across law, finance, healthcare, and insurance, he is known for building high-performing teams, optimizing workflows, and leading multimillion-dollar initiatives. Ben previously served in senior roles at large global law firms and major corporations. His work has generated more than 100 million dollars annually across different industries.

Joey Tran
Joey Tran

Partner, Co-Founder, Acceleron Law Group

Joey specializes in advising emerging growth companies through every stage of their corporate journey. With extensive experience across technology, Web 2.0, and life sciences, he guides founders through financings, acquisitions, and key strategic decisions. Having led more than $230 million in financings and over $740 million in M&A transactions, Joey brings practical, business-focused legal support that helps companies grow with confidence.

Clients Are Already Using AI Before Speaking to Lawyers

One of the first points discussed in the session was that most clients now conduct some form of online research before contacting a lawyer.

Ben explained that today almost every client arrives having already looked up information online. In many cases, AI generated answers appear directly in search results.

This means clients often come into consultations with questions that were influenced by AI generated explanations.

Joey added that this sometimes goes beyond questions. He has seen clients bring agreements drafted using AI tools. Those documents are usually recognizable because experienced attorneys can quickly identify gaps or inconsistencies.

The presence of AI in early research does not necessarily create a problem. In some cases it can help clients become more informed. However, the discussion emphasized that AI generated answers often lack the context and judgment required for legal decisions.

AI Provides Information, But Not Wisdom

A central theme throughout the session was the difference between information and expertise.

AI tools can produce a large amount of information very quickly. They can summarize issues, identify possibilities, and generate technical sounding language.

However, as Joey explained during the discussion, AI agents provide data but they do not provide wisdom or expertise.

Clients may receive an answer that appears thorough, but without legal training they often cannot determine whether the information applies to their specific situation.

This is where attorneys continue to provide essential value.

The 12 Things Clients Will Never Get From ChatGPT

During the conversation, several gaps between AI generated answers and professional legal guidance became clear. These gaps explain why attorneys remain essential even as AI tools become more common.

1. Complete Legal Context

Clients often provide incomplete information when asking AI questions. They may share facts that feel important to them without understanding which details are legally relevant.

Without the full context, AI responses may not address the real legal issue.

2. Strategic Timing

AI may suggest legal actions, but it cannot determine whether those actions are strategically appropriate at a specific stage of a case.

Ben shared an example where clients ask why a Request for Order has not been filed yet. Attorneys must explain that the timing may not be right for that strategy.

3. Practical Case Strategy

Legal strategy often depends on experience gained from handling similar cases over time. AI cannot replicate the judgment that comes from real practice.

4. Prioritizing What Actually Matters

AI tools frequently generate many possible issues or arguments. However, they do not reliably distinguish between critical legal points and distractions.

This can lead users down paths that may not help their case.

5. Professional Legal Judgment

AI systems generate possibilities but cannot determine which path is best for the client.

Attorneys must interpret the information and decide how it should be applied.

6. Reliable Contract Drafting

AI can generate agreements or clauses, but those documents often contain gaps. Joey noted that experienced lawyers can usually recognize when a document was drafted by AI.

7. Precise Legal Language

Contract drafting depends heavily on precise wording. Joey explained how even small word choices such as “shall” versus “may” can significantly affect legal obligations.

AI may generate language, but attorneys must ensure that every word reflects the intended meaning.

8. Consistent Answers

AI systems may produce different responses when the same question is asked multiple times.

Ben mentioned that identical prompts can generate different results, highlighting the importance of verifying any AI generated information.

9. A Single Definitive Argument

AI can generate persuasive arguments for multiple sides of the same issue.

Joey demonstrated this while testing a scenario involving a landlord tenant dispute. After generating an argument supporting his position, he asked the AI to argue the opposite side. The system produced a convincing counterargument.

10. Reliable Citations

AI tools sometimes provide citations or links that do not work, lead to outdated material, or are hidden behind paywalls.

Attorneys must verify any sources referenced in AI generated responses.

11. Confidential Legal Protection

Information entered into AI systems is not necessarily protected the same way attorney client communications are.

Ben noted that sensitive information entered into AI tools may potentially be discoverable in legal proceedings.

12. A Trusted Advisor Relationship

Perhaps the most important gap is the attorney client relationship itself.

Clients hire lawyers not only for information but for guidance, judgment, and practical advice about difficult decisions.

AI cannot replace that role.

How Law Firms Can Respond to the AI Shift

The discussion also focused on how attorneys can adapt to this new environment.

Learn How the Tools Work

Both speakers emphasized that attorneys should not avoid AI tools.

Joey summarized this point clearly by advising lawyers not to fear AI. Instead, attorneys should learn how the tools function and understand both their capabilities and limitations.

Use AI to Improve Efficiency

Ben explained that AI can help attorneys become more efficient when used correctly.

For example, AI can assist with reviewing large amounts of information, identifying relevant details in large document sets, or summarizing materials more quickly.

However, attorneys must still review and interpret the results.

Prepare for AI Influenced Questions

Because clients often research issues using AI tools, attorneys should expect these questions during consultations.

Some firms are already providing guidance to clients about how to conduct online research responsibly so that the process remains helpful rather than misleading.

Continue Publishing Useful Content

Another point raised during the session was the importance of educational content.

Clients who use AI tools often click the sources cited in AI generated answers. When law firms publish clear and helpful articles about legal topics, those resources may become part of the client’s research process.

AI Adoption Is Accelerating Across the Legal Industry

The session also discussed how AI adoption has accelerated in recent years.

Joey noted that AI tools have reached a level of acceptance where both professionals and clients are beginning to use them more frequently. Partnerships between technology companies and legal service providers have also helped increase trust in these tools.

As adoption continues, more clients will likely arrive with AI generated questions or documents.

Final Takeaway

The final message from the session was straightforward.

AI tools will continue to evolve, and the systems available today will likely look very different in the future. Attorneys should begin learning how to use these tools now so they understand both their benefits and their limitations.

AI can help lawyers work more efficiently and process information faster. However, it does not replace legal judgment, strategic thinking, or the attorney client relationship.

For law firms, the most effective approach is to embrace AI as a tool while continuing to provide the expertise, guidance, and judgment that clients cannot get from technology alone.