On March 3, 2025, the American Bar Association’s Legal Technology Resource Center released its 2024 Legal Technology Survey Report, providing a comprehensive analysis of how attorneys in private practice are leveraging technology. Now in its 20th year, the survey remains a leading resource on tech adoption in the legal sector, capturing responses across five categories: online research, marketing and communication, office technology, litigation tools, and cybersecurity.
The 2024 report reveals a continued push toward digital transformation, with 73% of law firms now using cloud-based legal tools, especially for document and practice management. AI-driven legal research is becoming more mainstream, with 67% of attorneys relying on paid online platforms and 55% using free resources such as government databases.
Litigation practices are also evolving—85% of litigators now file electronically, and AI-enhanced discovery tools are improving pre-trial efficiency. In the area of marketing, 80% of firms maintain a social media presence, with LinkedIn (78%) being the most used platform.
Cybersecurity remains a pressing issue. Although 60% of firms have formal cybersecurity policies and the use of multifactor authentication (MFA) is rising, phishing and ransomware threats continue to pose significant risks.
Later in March, the ABA will begin publishing its annual TechReports, offering expert commentary on topics including cloud computing, practice management, AI, cybersecurity, and solo firm strategies.
With technology playing a pivotal role in modern legal practice, the 2024 survey underscores the importance of strategic tech adoption for competitive advantage and client service excellence.