Building Trust in Chatting with AI: Empowering Law Librarians and Attorneys to Start Their Research Journey with Confidence

Legal research focuses on precision, expertise, and a deep understanding of nuance. With the rise of AI-enhanced research tools like Lexis+ AI Protege, the landscape is evolving and with it, so are the expectations for how legal professionals begin their research journey. For this article, I will be focusing on the Lexis+ platform as that is what I am most familiar with in my current position at my law firm. While the promise of faster, more efficient research is enticing, true adoption depends on one critical factor: trust.

Trust is Built on Understanding

Sometimes it is hard to accept new tools at face value, so trust must be earned through transparency, reliability, and practical value. So, how do we encourage them to trust Lexis+ AI Protege and other AI tools as the starting point in the legal research process?

One of the biggest advantages of Lexis+ AI Protege is that it enhances rather than replaces the familiar Lexis+ environment. For seasoned researchers, this continuity is reassuring. Protege simply adds a layer of intelligence to a platform that legal professionals already rely on. Emphasizing this foundation is essential when introducing the tool—Protege is an enhancement, not a disruption.

Librarians and attorneys want to know how AI tools operate, why they suggest certain results, and what safeguards are in place. I have learned while conducting legal research training that it is important take the time to explain the following:

How Protege interprets queries.
How it prioritizes sources.
How to look at your history
The capability of downloading your response
Make sure the attorney understands that they are using this tool and are transparent with the client.

Consider hosting short “AI Under the Hood” sessions or creating a FAQ guide that breaks down the core mechanics. The more transparent the process, the more credible the tool becomes.

Position Protege as a Partner, Not a Replacement

AI tools should be seen as augmenting human expertise, not replacing it. Lexis+ AI Protege is most powerful when used as a thought partner; guiding users toward key concepts, authorities, and research directions faster than traditional methods.

For attorneys: a head start on legal strategy.
For librarians: a streamlined way to support patrons and staff.

Position Protege as a research compass; a way to orient yourself before diving deeper into advanced searching and analysis.

Reinforce Human Oversight and Critical Thinking

Even the best AI tool is only as good as the professional using it. Reinforce the idea that Protege is a starting point, not a final authority.

Encourage users to:

Validate results against primary law.
Cross-check citations and conclusions.
Apply legal judgment throughout the research process.

By emphasizing this balance, you reassure skeptics that Protege supports, not substitutes for professional thinking.

Create a Culture of Experimentation and Exploration

Give your team the freedom to explore Protege without pressure. Start with low-stakes use cases:

Drafting issue overviews.
Brainstorming potential authorities.
Exploring unfamiliar jurisdictions.

Invite users to test the tool, share insights, and ask questions in a collaborative setting. As comfort grows, so will trust.

Final Thoughts: Trust is a Journey

Lexis+ AI Protege has the potential to be a powerful first step in any legal research process; but trust must be earned through transparency, shared learning, and results. By involving librarians, empowering attorneys, and reinforcing the importance of human expertise, you can help your team not only adopt but fully embrace AI-driven research tools.

Start small. Be transparent. Celebrate curiosity. Above all, remind your team that the best research still starts with a thoughtful question and now, a smarter tool to help answer it.

Victoria Swindle, MLIS, Library Technology Specialist at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC