The role of a lawyer hasn’t changed. What has changed is the amount of time lost before professional judgment can be applied.
From research and verification to drafting first versions, friction seeps into day-to-day legal work. These small delays add up, slowing progress and pushing legal expertise further down the workflow. The result is not less judgement, but less time to apply it.
At Rothera Bray LLP Solicitors, Lexis+ AI is being used to remove that friction, so that lawyers can reach the point where their judgment adds real value faster. Not by replacing legal expertise, but by accelerating access to it, through artificial intelligence grounded in trusted legal content.
The cost of friction in legal work
Searching across multiple sources to validating information and producing first drafts, all introduce friction into legal workflows. Individually, these tasks are necessary. Collectively, they slow progress, break focus and delay the point at which a lawyer’s experience and judgement make the greatest impact.
As a Corporate Partner, David Kaplan has been closely involved in shaping the firm’s approach to technology and efficiency:
“All we can do is the best job we can – and efficiently.”
Rothera Bray’s adoption of AI was therefore measured. Early exploration of generic AI tools highlighted their limitations in a legal context, where accuracy, transparency and accountability are essential.
Rather than relying on generic AI tools, the firm chose Lexis+ AI, a purpose-built legal AI solution underpinned by authoritative LexisNexis content and designed specifically for legal professionals.
From blank pages to better starting points
One of the most immediate benefits of Lexis+ AI at Rothera Bray has been in drafting and document analysis.
“The hardest part of drafting something complicated is the first draft… it's better to start with something already on the paper that is 60%-80% there rather than a blank piece of paper.”
Across the firm, Lexis+ AI is used to summarise title documents, analyse multiple agreements, and support drafting tasks such as correspondence. This removes the friction of the blank page, improving turnaround times while keeping professional responsibility firmly with the lawyer.
“That’s where AI is very good – it does the initial thinking and stops me having to ask, ‘Where do I start?’”, David explains.
By accelerating the earliest stages of drafting, Lexis+ AI helps lawyers reach the point where judgement matters soon without compromising quality or control.
Faster answers, still fully checked
For Rothera Bray, AI needed to support legal judgement, not undermine it. Lawyers had to understand where answers came from and be able to verify them quickly.
“The important thing was that it was closed and secure within LexisNexis and that everything was cross referenced, so we could check it”, David said
Lexis+ AI provides clear citations to underlying case law, legislation and practical guidance, ensuring that AI-generated responses remain transparent, defensible and reliable.
“I would not use anything else for proper legal research… it’s crucial that it links back to where it’s come from.”
By operating within a secure, closed environment, Lexis+ AI removes friction without introducing risk, allowing lawyers to work faster while maintaining professional standards and client confidentiality.
Why citations change everything
Clear citations fundamentally change how Lexis+ AI can be used in legal research.
Lexis+ AI has delivered immediate time savings at Rothera Bray by allowing lawyers to sense-check points of law and identify relevant authority without searching across multiple sources.
“The time saving on the search function is extremely good… If I’m not sure about something, I can just check it. Whereas before, you spent ages trying to find what you were looking for”.
This reduces hesitation and uncertainty, particularly when working in unfamiliar or complex areas of law.
“It does save a lot of time… a lot of time used to be wasted trying to find the relevant information, which I used to dread.”
The result is faster progress with greater confidence, supporting better judgement rather than shortcutting it.
AI as a junior, not an authority
Rothera Bray is clear that Lexis+ AI is designed to support lawyers, not replace legal expertise. Responsibility for advice remains firmly with the lawyer.
“It’s like a trainee solicitor – you give it some research, it comes back with something, but you’ve got to check it,” David explained.
This framing has been central to successful adoption. By positioning Lexis+ AI as a junior assistant rather than an authority, the firm reinforces good professional habits while removing unnecessary friction from everyday tasks.
Lexis+ AI accelerates access to information and creates better starting points, but judgement, interpretation and accountability remain human.
Adoption is a people challenge, not a tech one
Introducing AI successfully has been less about technology and more about trust, understanding and everyday usefulness.
By embedding Lexis+ AI into existing workflows and positioning it as a support tool rather than a replacement, the firm has enabled confident, responsible adoption that aligns with professional standards.
As use continues to grow, Lexis+ AI is becoming a natural part of everyday legal work at Rothera Bray, fitting seamlessly into how lawyers already operate, rather than disrupting established ways of working.
Making time for higher-value work
Ultimately, the impact of Lexis+ AI at Rothera Bray is about time.
Time saved on searching, drafting and checking.
Time reinvested in higher-value legal thinking.
Time spent applying judgement where it matters most.
By removing friction rather than replacing judgment, Lexis+ AI ensures that legal expertise is applied sooner, more confidently, and with greater impact, delivering better outcomes for both lawyers and their clients.
“I wouldn't want to be without it now,” David concludes.
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