As the legal industry undergoes another technological transformation with the rise of agentic AI, the spotlight isn't just on the technology itself but on the adoption strategies that accompany it. According to ILTA’s 2025 Technology Survey, 80% of legal teams have already integrated generative AI into their workflows. This rapid adoption showcases a readiness to embrace advanced technology, but the real challenge lies in sustaining this adoption long-term.

Experts argue that the success of technological adoption in legal practices hinges more on human habits than on the sophistication of the technology. Addressing the psychology of habit formation is crucial as firms often concentrate on enhancing technological capabilities while overlooking the necessity for robust adoption strategies.

Behavioral science suggests that the formation of new habits requires consistent practice and support. Many legal professionals may initially engage with new tools, but interest can wane without structured support, leading to a decline in usage. Research from Prosci underscores this point, showing that projects with excellent change management are seven times more likely to succeed.

To counteract the drop in engagement, experts recommend strategies that anticipate this decline and provide mechanisms for recovery. These include organizing regular "office hours" for real-time assistance, showcasing real-life success stories to demonstrate the tool's value, and creating a culture that allows for stopping and restarting tool use without stigma.

Beyond individual habit formation, leadership readiness plays a pivotal role. Leaders are encouraged to involve skeptics early in the process, clearly articulate what will change with the introduction of new tools, and ensure psychological safety for those adapting to new technologies. This approach helps in managing the learning curve associated with agentic AI systems.

Additionally, legal teams should focus on choosing appropriate workflows for AI implementation, fixing any pre-existing process inefficiencies, and establishing comprehensive governance frameworks to ensure safe experimentation.

The journey towards effective adoption of agentic AI in the legal sector is as much about technology as it is about human adaptation. The firms that will thrive are not necessarily those who adopt technology the fastest, but those who adopt it most thoughtfully, recognizing the human element in technological transformation.

For those ready to explore AI tools designed with these principles in mind, options like Litera One and Lito offer structured environments that support both the technology and its users. As the legal industry continues to evolve, the focus remains not just on adopting new technologies, but on doing so in a way that aligns with the human behaviors and habits at the core of successful change.