Digital Divide in Legal Departments: Uneven Tech Adoption Poses Efficiency and Risk Challenges

In a recent survey conducted by Wolters Kluwer, a noticeable disparity was observed in the technological advancement of legal departments. The 2025 Legisway Benchmark for Legal Departments reveals that while some in-house legal teams have embraced tools like contract lifecycle management and AI, others remain entrenched in manual workflows. This digital divide not only limits operational efficiency but also heightens exposure to risk. Alarmingly, the survey highlights that 27% of respondents still rely on spreadsheets or even paper archives for entity management, underscoring the need for strategic investment in legal technology.