November 11, 2026, (Inside AI) — Gilbert + Tobin, one of Australia's leading corporate law firms, has moved beyond AI experimentation to deploy agentic workflows across its operations, with CEO Sam Nickless reporting cost savings and efficiency gains that challenge conventional law firm economics. The firm's approach, detailed in a recent interview, offers a rare window into how a conservative profession is integrating generative AI at scale.
Nickless, who leads the firm's AI strategy, said the firm's three objectives are delivering better client services, making Gilbert + Tobin a great place to work, and establishing market leadership. The real value, he emphasized, lies not in reducing headcount but in freeing lawyers for higher-value human work.
"The real value we've seen from AI so far hasn't been about reducing cost or needing fewer people, but freeing our people to focus on the more human side of their work, meeting with clients, coaching their teams and mentoring the future leaders of our industry." — Sam Nickless, Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Gilbert + Tobin
The firm's journey began with a controlled experiment: encouraging staff to use ChatGPT while strictly prohibiting client data entry. This created a safe sandbox for exploration. The next step was deploying ChatGPT Enterprise with Australian data residency, contractual protections, and role-based access. This provided the security and compliance needed to scale.
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Nickless's personal use of AI illustrates the firm's approach. He created a "digital twin" using a custom GPT trained on his writing, feedback, and working context. Shared with his direct reports, it allows them to test ideas against his thinking before meetings. He also used ChatGPT Work for a confidential annual review of 120 partners, completing tasks that would have taken days in minutes, at a cost of about $62.
The firm's governance message is clear: AI is not cheating; it is a tool that requires human judgment, output verification, and accountability. Leaders are expected to model AI use, and the firm has avoided mandating usage targets, instead focusing on relevance and tailored demonstrations.
Why Law Firms Are Betting on Agentic AI
The legal industry's embrace of AI is not isolated. Law firms globally are experimenting with generative AI to automate document review, contract analysis, and legal research. However, Gilbert + Tobin's move to agentic workflows, where AI systems perform multistep tasks with human oversight, marks a shift from assistance to autonomy. This raises questions about liability, confidentiality, and the future of billable hours. While Nickless stresses augmentation over replacement, the economic implications are profound. If AI can handle routine work at a fraction of the cost, firms may need to rethink pricing models and staffing structures. The $62 annual review cost is a stark contrast to traditional legal fees, suggesting that AI could compress margins and force a reevaluation of value delivery.
Industry analysts note that law firms face unique challenges in AI adoption due to ethical obligations and client confidentiality. Gilbert + Tobin's emphasis on data residency and contractual protections addresses these concerns, but broader adoption may hinge on regulatory clarity and client acceptance. The firm's experience suggests that cultural change, led from the top, is as critical as technology.
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Nickless's advice to other CEOs is straightforward: use the technology yourself, pair leadership with clear governance, and focus on raising quality and volume rather than just speed. As law firms navigate this transition, Gilbert + Tobin's case offers a blueprint for balancing innovation with responsibility.
Shamil has a low tolerance for AI that only works in controlled demos. He covers agentic systems and generative AI with the skepticism of someone who has seen too many “revolutionary” tools quietly disappear six months after launch.
