AI Intake
Using artificial intelligence to handle client intake conversations, qualify leads, and capture case information—typically 24/7 and across multiple channels.
AI intake is what happens when you apply modern AI to the problem of capturing and qualifying potential clients.
It's not just a chatbot (though chat is often involved). It's a rethinking of how the entire intake process works.
What AI Intake Does
Engages immediately: No waiting for business hours. Someone lands on your site at midnight, AI is there.
Has real conversations: Not button clicks or scripted flows. Actual dialogue that adapts to what the person says.
Qualifies in real-time: As information comes in, AI assesses case viability against your criteria. By conversation's end, you have a score.
Captures structured data: Everything needed for follow-up, organized usefully—not buried in a conversation transcript.
Works across channels: Website chat, SMS, potentially phone. Wherever leads reach out.
How It's Different from Traditional Intake
Traditional: Person fills out form → Staff reviews → Staff calls → Qualification happens on the phone → Maybe becomes client
AI intake: Person starts conversation → AI gathers information and qualifies → Staff receives qualified lead with full context → Higher-value conversation → More likely becomes client
The shift is from "capture contact info, figure out the rest later" to "understand the case from the start."
What AI Intake Isn't
It's not legal advice. AI doesn't (and shouldn't) tell someone whether they have a case or what the law says about their situation.
It's not attorney replacement. AI handles the front door. Attorneys still do the lawyering.
It's not infallible. AI gets confused sometimes. It misses nuance. Human oversight still matters.
Who Uses AI Intake
AI intake has taken hold fastest in:
- Personal injury: High volume, time-sensitive, after-hours demand
- Criminal defense: Urgent situations, 24/7 arrests
- Immigration: Multilingual needs, non-business-hours clients
- Family law: Emotional situations, weekend/evening searches
Practice areas with high volume and time-sensitive leads benefit most. Low-volume specialty practices may not need it.
The Technology Evolution
AI intake has improved dramatically in recent years. The shift to large language models (GPT, Claude, etc.) made natural conversation possible.
Earlier chatbots followed rigid scripts. Modern AI actually understands language and context. The difference in user experience is night and day.
This is still evolving. AI keeps getting better. What's possible today will look primitive in two years.