In their recent Law.com article, Goodwin partner Bethany Withers, Chief Digital and Technology Officer Eric Tan, and Managing Director of Knowledge and Innovation Patricia Johansen share their perspective on how artificial intelligence (AI) will reshape legal service delivery, talent, governance, and the client experience in 2026 and beyond. According to the authors, AI is no longer experimental for the legal profession. Generative and agentic AI pilots are maturing into enterprise infrastructure, and they will increasingly be embedded into workflows, governance, and operating models across law firms and legal departments. The early adopters are already reporting productivity gains, faster turnarounds, and reduced operational friction. But efficiency is only the beginning. AI is becoming a strategic differentiator, reshaping not just how legal work gets done but what clients expect, how value is delivered, and what the firm-client relationship looks like. For Goodwin, this signals transformation across every dimension of practice.
Read the full analysis: “AI Is Table Stakes for Law Firms in 2026” (Law.com)
This informational piece, which may be considered advertising under the ethical rules of certain jurisdictions, is provided on the understanding that it does not constitute the rendering of legal advice or other professional advice by Goodwin or its lawyers. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Contacts
- /en/people/w/withers-bethany
Bethany P. Withers
PartnerChair, AI & Machine Learning - /en/people/t/tan-ericET
Eric Tan
Professional StaffChief Digital & Technology Officer - /en/people/j/johansen-patricia
Patricia Johansen
Managing Director, Knowledge & Innovation – BLDCounsel