When your team is faced with terabytes of case-related emails, PDFs, and chat logs, every minute counts.
According to the 2025 Legal Industry Report, 41% of firms said managing discovery was one of their top efficiency challenges in litigation workflows. For firms handling large-scale or high-stakes cases, manually reviewing electronically stored information (ESI) is no longer sustainable—especially as communication formats diversify and deadlines get tighter. This is why many firms are now turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for legal document review, which streamlines eDiscovery workflows and reduces errors.
Automating the categorization, tagging, and summarization of documents reduces time spent on low-value tasks and helps legal teams identify what matters faster. The result is leaner review cycles, smarter insights, and greater accuracy across the board.
In this article, we’ll explore what AI document review means in the context of eDiscovery, how it compares to traditional review methods, the top eDiscovery AI tools, and how legal teams can implement best practices for AI in eDiscovery.
What is AI-powered document review for eDiscovery?
This type of automated document review allows legal teams to apply advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms and natural language processing (NLP) to streamline the legal review of electronically stored information (ESI). During the eDiscovery phase of litigation, legal teams often need to sift through thousands or even millions of documents—a task that traditionally required linear, manual labor.
AI automates this process by learning to recognize patterns in text, context, and metadata. It analyzes documents such as emails, PDFs, instant messages, and scanned files to detect and precisely categorize relevant information. NLP enables the software to interpret language nuances, determine sentiment, and extract meaning beyond surface-level keywords.
These systems can quickly identify:
Privileged or confidential content that should be flagged for legal review
Key issues, topics, or entities relevant to the matter at hand
Hierarchies of relevance using predictive ranking models
Summarized versions of long documents to accelerate comprehension
Groups of similar files, which surface patterns or duplications
Legal teams benefit from enhanced speed and accuracy, as legal AI reduces the volume of documents that require human review while improving insight into each file's content and context. This makes AI an essential tool in modern litigation, especially when navigating the complexities of high-volume, multi-format ESI.
Traditional vs. AI-powered document review in eDiscovery
Legal professionals have long relied on manual and semi-automated approaches to document review. While these methods served their purpose when datasets were smaller and more structured, today's litigation demands faster, more intelligent tools to handle the sheer volume and complexity of modern digital evidence.
Traditional eDiscovery document review
Manual review requires human-led, linear document analysis—a time-consuming and labor-intensive process where attorneys or contract reviewers examine each document for relevance and privilege. This method relies heavily on keyword searches, which can miss important nuances like sarcasm, context, or indirect references.
Technology-Assisted Review (TAR) introduced a more efficient approach by applying basic algorithms to prioritize documents for human review. Although TAR is widely accepted, it remains constrained by its reliance on structured, text-based formats like emails, Word documents, and PDFs.
However, as discovery now encompasses cloud-based communications, chat apps like Slack and Teams, and audio or video content, these traditional approaches often fall short. They lack the scalability and semantic depth needed to process complex, unstructured formats efficiently. The result is higher costs, slower turnaround times, and an increased risk of missing key evidence.
AI-powered eDiscovery document review
AI-powered document review changes the game by using machine learning to analyze structured and unstructured data. These AI tools can:
Cluster related documents to speed up bulk analysis
Automatically tag materials for privilege, confidentiality, or relevance
Extract and summarize essential facts from long-form content
Interpret nuanced language across audio transcripts, chats, scanned documents, and foreign languages
Unlike traditional tools, AI doesn’t just process data—it understands context. Semantic analysis enables these platforms to identify patterns and meaning beyond exact-match keywords, catching critical insights that older systems might miss.
AI platforms also improve with time. As reviewers interact with the tool, the system learns from their decisions and adapts in real time. This feedback loop allows teams to work smarter with each batch of data and helps scale review operations quickly without compromising quality.
For legal teams facing compressed deadlines and high-stakes outcomes, AI-powered review offers the speed, accuracy, and depth required to stay competitive and compliant.
Key benefits of using AI for legal document review
The biggest advantage of AI for legal document review is speed. What once took weeks or even months can now be accomplished in hours. AI significantly reduces the volume of documents that require manual review by surfacing only the most relevant files.
In addition to time savings, AI introduces smart features that enhance both the quality and consistency of your review process:
Smart clustering of relevant ESI: AI groups similar documents together, helping reviewers work more efficiently and identify patterns across case files.
Automated privilege flagging: Tools flag potentially sensitive or confidential content for legal review before it reaches opposing counsel.
Real-time insight extraction: NLP surfaces key issues, entities, and facts within documents, even if they aren’t explicitly labeled.
Greater efficiency at scale: AI platforms can handle massive datasets, making this technology accessible not just to large firms but also to small practices with limited staff.
Improved accuracy: Machine learning minimizes human error and reduces inconsistencies in relevance tagging.
Cost savings: By focusing attorney time only on the most critical documents, firms can reallocate resources and control litigation costs.
Whether you're facing a tight discovery deadline or trying to reduce overhead on repetitive review tasks, AI gives legal teams the competitive edge to deliver results faster, smarter, and more securely.
Top eDiscovery AI tools legal teams should know
Selecting the right eDiscovery AI tools depends on your firm’s size, caseload, and budget. Below are some of the most widely recognized tools, each offering unique strengths.
Everlaw
Everlaw combines cloud-based document review with powerful visualization and collaboration tools. Known for its intuitive interface, Everlaw is ideal for firms handling complex litigation. Its storytelling and timeline features also help attorneys piece together case narratives.
RelativityOne
A longstanding player in the eDiscovery space, RelativityOne offers advanced AI, including sentiment analysis and communication pattern recognition, to enhance review accuracy. It is highly customizable and trusted by large firms managing high-volume, multi-jurisdictional litigation.
Logikcull
Logikcull focuses on ease of use and accessibility. It offers a straightforward platform that supports drag-and-drop uploads and fast processing—great for smaller firms or solo practitioners. Its transparent pricing model makes it appealing for firms seeking predictable costs.
DISCO
DISCO leverages cloud computing and AI to accelerate document review and improve legal team performance. Known for its speed and user-friendly analytics, DISCO is especially popular among firms that prioritize rapid case preparation and real-time collaboration.
Together, these tools represent the variety of options available to law firms today—from highly specialized, enterprise-grade platforms to agile solutions that level the playing field for smaller practices.
Best practices for using AI in eDiscovery and document review
Integrating AI into eDiscovery requires more than just turning on a tool. Successful adoption comes from establishing transparent processes, maintaining oversight, and ensuring compliance at every review stage. The following best practices can help maximize the effectiveness of automated document review.
Set clear goals and document types
Define your objectives and determine which document types and formats AI tools will process (emails, PDFs, chat messages, etc.). Align expectations with clients and legal support teams. Clear goals help reduce irrelevant results and ensure focus on the documents that matter most.
Build strong search and filter logic
Use Boolean logic, metadata filters, and clustering tools to quickly narrow down relevant data. Ensure the tool’s search features are being used to their full potential. Effective filtering not only accelerates review but also helps avoid overproducing irrelevant documents.
Verify and audit AI outputs
Always cross-check AI-generated results with human review for key decisions. Validate privilege tags and relevance calls to avoid compliance risks. Maintaining a defensible audit trail ensures transparency and strengthens your position in court if review methods are challenged.
Use tools that prioritize security and compliance
Choose platforms that adhere to legal data regulations (e.g., FRCP, GDPR) and offer encryption, access control, and audit logs. Compliance is not optional—secure systems protect client data and firm reputation.
Pair AI document review tools with 8am MyCase
While MyCase does not perform eDiscovery or AI for legal document review, it does complement litigation work with powerful practice management features.
Use 8am IQ to generate summaries of internal communications and documents
Draft and refine documents faster with the text editing tool
Stay organized with calendaring, task management, and centralized file storage
These tools work alongside your eDiscovery platform by keeping your firm organized behind the scenes and ensuring your team spends less time managing paperwork and more time focusing on strategy.
Ready to see how your firm can succeed with MyCase? Schedule a demo.