Lawyers on Film: What Kodak Executives Can Teach Us About Embracing AI

When the average person thinks of lawyers, they often picture the polished corner-office attorney, hands tucked confidently into bespoke suit pockets, issuing sage pronouncements over mahogany conference tables. Some of these seasoned professionals later become high-priced consultants to corporate boards, stepping onto the speaking circuit with a certain swagger. They point to precedent and strategy, wearing their long hours in law school and storied client rosters as badges of honor. There’s real value there, of course. After all, it’s vital to learn from people who’ve honed their instincts in the crucible of negotiation and litigation.

Yet, focusing too intently on the traditional trappings of prestige in the legal world risks blinding us to a broader lesson—one that might not be as glamorous, but just as critical. Think back to Kodak, an iconic American brand that symbolized family memories and summertime road trips. Kodak was so deeply entrenched in the old way of doing things—of selling film and processing it in chemically soaked labs—that when digital cameras emerged, they shrugged it off. Sure, Kodak had actually created one of the first digital cameras, but they sidelined that innovation to protect their film sales. The rest, as we know, is painful corporate history. They watched from the sidelines as digital photography evolved from a novelty into the global standard, and by the time they attempted to pivot, the market had moved on.

Lawyers today are at risk of reenacting that same story. Artificial intelligence, once the stuff of sci-fi novels and Hollywood blockbusters, is now reviewing documents, analyzing contract language, and even forecasting case outcomes with uncanny accuracy. While some forward-thinking attorneys lean into this transformation, many still scoff at AI as a gadget—an untested novelty best left to the margins of the profession. Their posture brings to mind Kodak’s leaders, who dismissed digital cameras as a sideshow. They wagered that the familiar feel of film could outlast a tech-driven challenge. They were wrong, and they paid for it dearly.

Legal work, especially at the top, has long rewarded intellectual endurance and mastery of tradition: mastering case law, refining arguments, drafting intricate language, and billing by the hour. There’s an understandable pride there. But just as the Kodak executives thought they were safeguarding their domain—film—some lawyers think they’re guarding the essence of their craft by resisting “outsider” technology. The problem? AI isn’t just an outsider; it’s a transformative force that’s already inside the gates. It can sift through millions of pages of documents in minutes, highlight key clauses and precedents, and leave weary associates to do more human-centered tasks like cultivating client trust, shaping strategy, and delivering nuanced advice.

If you’re betting on static tradition over evolving technology, guess what: you’re flying without situational awareness, much like a helicopter pilot who ignores the changing weather conditions. Embracing AI isn’t about discarding your skills or debasing the legal profession—it’s about ensuring that you can still navigate, still deliver value, and still land safely no matter what market conditions you encounter. It’s about caring for all the “souls on board”—your colleagues, clients, and stakeholders—by equipping yourself with every available tool to ensure the best possible outcome.

There’s also a human element that’s often overlooked. In corporations, top executives might enjoy “golden parachutes”—graceful exits that spare them from a rough landing if something goes wrong. Meanwhile, lower-level employees have to ride out the turbulence with no such safety nets. In the legal world, the old guard might still find refuge in their reputation or network, even if they refuse to adapt. But the junior associates and the support staff—the ones who spend long nights sifting through documents—may not have the luxury of dismissing AI. For them, AI-driven tools mean fewer wasted hours, more efficient workflows, and the hope that their professional growth can be focused on higher-level thinking rather than mechanical drudgery.

Think again of Kodak: they insisted on protecting their precious film business, clinging to a model that was already fading. If today’s lawyers choose to ignore AI, they risk becoming the guardians of a shrinking kingdom. That might feel safe in the short term, just as Kodak executives once felt safe fondling their rolls of 35mm film. But soon enough, new entrants, armed with technology and unconstrained by old habits, will outpace and outmaneuver them. Clients, after all, are not nostalgic about legal workflows. They’re after clarity, speed, accuracy, and value. And while loyalty to tradition may seem admirable, it’s hardly a selling point if it leads to stale methods and inflated costs.

This isn’t about fetishizing efficiency. Law will always require human judgment, empathy, creativity, and ethical sensitivity—qualities that no algorithm can replicate. AI can handle mundane tasks and free human minds to tackle the intangible challenges that define true advocacy. The best lawyers will still be those who think critically, anticipate moves, convey trust, and interpret law with a humane touch. But why not let AI handle the grunt work of sifting through documents and highlighting risks? Why not accept that technology can expand your capabilities rather than threaten them?

As with the helicopter pilot who understands that everyone’s safety depends on their skill and foresight, the modern lawyer must recognize that embracing innovation isn’t a betrayal of professional identity. It’s an act of stewardship. It shows a willingness to shoulder the responsibility of guiding clients and colleagues through a rapidly evolving landscape. The pilot’s job, after all, is to bring everyone home safely, not to cling to outdated maps and navigational tools. Likewise, the lawyer’s job is to achieve the best outcomes using all the means available, be they stacks of old law books or cutting-edge AI platforms.

In the end, Kodak’s lesson is that the comfortable path—protecting familiar markets, clinging to cherished methods—doesn’t always lead to a soft landing. Lawyers who continue to treat AI as a fad risk waking up one day to find themselves out of step with the new legal reality. The smartest move is to learn, adapt, and integrate technology into the practice of law so that the profession can serve its clients and the public in the most effective and honorable way possible.

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