Foley Advances Its AI-First Approach Through Strategic Execution
Firm Combines a Curated Tool Stack and Practical Applications to Enhance Client Service
Foley & Lardner LLP is continuing to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities with a practical, AI-first approach designed to enhance client service, improve efficiency, and support lawyers with secure, firm-approved tools embedded into legal workflows.
As part of this effort, Foley has built a curated AI tool stack that combines internally developed technology with leading enterprise platforms. In a significant milestone, Foley recently expanded deployment of Harvey, a leading AI platform for legal and professional services, firmwide after a successful pilot program last year. Harvey complements Foley’s broader suite of AI tools, including Microsoft Copilot, CoCounsel, Draftwise, Relativity aiR, Patlytics, and award-winning FoleyChat, developed in-house.
Foley’s AI initiatives are managed by a lawyer-driven leadership team formed in 2025 that champions, fast-tracks, and enables the integration of AI across the firm’s business operations and client services. The firm also created a new role focused on developing meaningful and impactful ways to scale AI solutions for client outcomes, with Sean Monahan joining in January as Director of Practice Innovation. With this leadership in place, Foley is already seeing the value and benefits of implementing these tools in areas including contract review, due diligence, legal research, drafting, litigation review, and patent-related workflows.
“There is tremendous energy and activity around AI at Foley that we want to harness and apply in ways that are thoughtful, responsible, and aligned with our obligations to our clients and to each other,” said partner Christopher Cain, chair of Foley’s AI Steering Committee. “AI is transforming how we practice law but our approach is AI-first, not AI-only. For us, the starting point is not the tool. It’s the legal workflow, the client need, and where quality, speed, consistency, or predictability can improve. Rolling out Harvey firmwide will help us achieve this. The goal is to help our lawyers work smarter and faster while always still using human judgment to lead.”
Last year the firm also launched FoleyChat, an AI-powered assistant that leverages the latest generation of large language models (LLMs) and operates within the firm’s secure enterprise environment, to support a wide range of tasks and streamline day-to-day workflows and address specific demands of the firm and its clients. The tool, with new models and features being added on a regular basis, was recognized as the Best Use of Artificial Intelligence at Law.com‘s 2026 Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards and as a finalist for the 2025 KM&I LexPrize Innovation Award.
“As our clients embrace AI in their own businesses, they expect the same innovation from us. We’re taking concrete steps to stay ahead of clients’ needs and we’re excited about the progress being made across the firm,” said Jen Patton, Foley Chief Operating Officer. “Using AI tools is now part of practicing law. The conversation has moved from ‘are you using AI?’ to ‘where can AI help us deliver legal work better?’”
Through strong organic engagement and growing adoption across sectors and practice groups, Foley is building a firmwide model for practical and responsible AI use that enables repeatable, trusted ways of delivering the efficiencies of advanced technology alongside the strategic counsel and experience that define the firm.
About Foley & Lardner LLP
Foley & Lardner LLP is a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the Energy & Infrastructure, Health Care & Life Sciences, Innovative Technology, and Manufacturing Sectors. We look beyond the law to focus on the constantly evolving demands facing our clients and act as trusted business advisors to deliver creative, practical, and effective solutions. Our 1,100 lawyers across 27 offices worldwide partner on the full range of engagements from corporate counsel to IP work and litigation support, providing our clients with a one-team solution to all their needs. For nearly two centuries, Foley has maintained its commitment to the highest level of innovative legal services and to the stewardship of our people, firm, clients, and the communities we serve.
