Leveraging AI to Elevate Your IP Legal Career

Both in-house and law firm attorneys have compelling reasons to adopt generative AI, but the impact on their work will vary significantly. Vincent Brault, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation at Anaqua, a company specializing in intellectual property (IP) services and software, shares his insights. These views reflect the author’s own experience in the evolving legal landscape.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly permeating the legal sector, with 73% of lawyers planning to use generative AI in their work, and 46% already utilizing it, primarily for research and drafting communications. Despite this trend, many in-house attorneys remain hesitant about incorporating AI into their daily responsibilities, particularly due to concerns about job security.

The ABA Legal Technology Survey Report highlights the top concerns: the accuracy and reliability of AI, data privacy and security, and the costs associated with implementation. Based on my experience with IP organizations, in-house counsel are becoming more eager than their law firm counterparts to apply AI across the IP lifecycle, including for tasks like docketing, patent search, and trademark image recognition.

AI is already integrated into several aspects of the in-house IP attorney’s role. For example, in-house counsel are using AI to:

• Automate administrative tasks like processing PTO documents
• Utilize image recognition for trademark searches and anticounterfeiting efforts
• Summarize patent and agreement details, assist with new invention submissions, and generate reports through AI tools
• Conduct patent searches and manage classification within patent portfolios
• Support e-discovery and litigation efforts

Emerging large language models with user-friendly interfaces are expanding AI’s reach into more substantive legal tasks, including:

• Drafting patents
• Preparing responses to office actions
• Drafting oppositions
• Creating patent/product claim charts

These more complex applications are causing concern among law firm attorneys, who worry that AI could further commoditize patent prosecution work. However, for in-house counsel, these tools present an opportunity to do more with fewer resources—an increasingly vital advantage as companies demand greater returns on IP investments while imposing tighter budget constraints.

While these advancements are promising, attorneys must exercise caution. The USPTO has issued guidelines warning of the risks associated with AI, urging lawyers to review and verify AI-generated documents to ensure compliance with legal standards. This is particularly important given the potential for AI "hallucinations," where the technology fabricates information, and the ongoing need to address privacy concerns by ensuring AI only processes public data.

Ethical considerations are also paramount. The American Bar Association recently emphasized that lawyers must uphold their ethical obligations when using AI, including maintaining competent representation, protecting client information, and ensuring transparency.

In recent years, IP attorneys have faced mounting pressure to demonstrate their impact on business outcomes, both within law firms and in-house departments. AI offers proven solutions for enhancing efficiency and productivity with minimal risk, making it essential for in-house counsel to embrace these tools to stay competitive.

Rejecting AI altogether would be a missed opportunity. Instead, attorneys should shift their mindset to appreciate AI’s potential while recognizing its limitations. A key step in overcoming apprehension is learning more about AI and how to use it ethically. Upskilling initiatives can help lawyers become comfortable with AI, even if their employers have yet to provide formal training.

AI-driven tools can streamline administrative tasks, reduce errors, and allow IP teams to focus on higher-value work. Beyond benefiting the organization, embracing AI can also significantly enhance individual careers. According to a recent report, lawyers with AI expertise in the U.S. can earn up to 49% more, making legal practice one of the most lucrative professions for those with AI skills.

By mastering AI, in-house counsel can future-proof their careers, adapt to evolving roles, and offer strategic insights that extend beyond the legal department. This adaptability will make them indispensable to their organizations, propelling their professional growth and career success.

Author: Vincent Brault
Edited by: Legal Data AI

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