“We are selling a service at the end of the day.” This simple statement from Lynsey Howes, Partner and Head of the Employment & HR team at Hamers Solicitors, captures the firm’s people-first approach. Hamers prides itself on communicating complex legal matters in a friendly, approachable way that makes clients feel comfortable. And now they have embraced Lexis+ AI to further enhance that client-centric service delivery.
Overcoming initial scepticism
Lynsey admits she was initially “deeply suspicious of the sort of other AI that you hear about... it all sounded very dangerous, like opening Pandora’s box.” She jokes “I would have happily gone back to a pen and quill.”
Her reluctance stemmed from concerns around data security and ethics recognising that for legal AI to be effective it needed proper guardrails in place. What reassured Lynsey was Lexis+ AI’s closed, secure system utilising content solely from expert LexisNexis sources. “I knew answers only come from LexisNexis, that was very important and that it wasn’t learning from anybody other than them...”
The approachable legal expert
Once she started using it, Lynsey was “very excited” to find Lexis+ AI aligned perfectly with Hamers' brand values of being “approachable and friendly” yet still “good at our jobs.”
“It talks in plain English and answers in a way that you might answer a question” she explains.
“It’s like having a second employment lawyer in the room who you can bat an idea off.”
Lynsey highlights how Lexis+ AI provides reassurance by confirming her knowledge is up to date. “You can put in a question which you think you probably know the answer to... it will confirm your answer but also give you a bit more case law.”
Enhancing efficiency and wellbeing
The time-savings have been “amazing”, allowing lawyers to maximise billable hours while reducing stress. Lynsey is “the biggest advocate” at the firm, finding “Lexis+ AI makes life easier” by quickly producing comprehensive file notes.
“It’s night and day just how easy it is. I’ve always had so much training on different systems but with Lexis+ AI, I can just ask it and get the answer with the links I need.”
Lynsey believes Lexis+ AI could be quite a good training tool by providing a second opinion, especially for junior lawyers working remotely. The mental health benefits of having that support cannot be underestimated in a high-pressure profession.
“If you’ve been able to check this against Lexis+ AI and reassure yourself the answer you knew was right, from that point of view it is such a nice tool.”A competitive advantage
When asked what she would say to other firms considering Lexis+ AI, Lynsey was protectively coy: “I would say it’s rubbish. Don’t you buy it!” She did concede, however, that the AI assistant provides a key differentiator.
“It’s like having the extra expert... it’s going to save you time, maximise your time, be more cost-effective and just reassuring.”
For Hamers and lawyers like Lynsey Howes, leveraging AI is about more than just efficiency gains.
It’s about delivering a superior client experience through enhanced expertise, while supporting lawyer wellbeing and work-life balance.
Lexis+ AI enables this innovative, forward-thinking firm to reinforce its reputation as an approachable legal leader.
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