8am Launches AI Tools to Fix Legal Data Gaps

8am has launched two new AI capabilities for legal firms, turning unsearchable case documents into instant insights.

8am, the professional business platform for legal and accounting firms, introduced 8am IQ Discovery Assistant and an upgraded 8am IQ Case Assistant on June 9, 2026. The new tools bring image-to-text OCR and broader AI-powered case search directly into 8am MyCase, addressing the problem of fragmented and inaccessible legal data.

This launch matters because legal professionals currently spend more than 50 hours per month manually searching for and reviewing documents. AI tools built for legal workflows are already proving results, with 61 percent of legal professionals using AI reporting multiple hours saved per week.

The Core Problem

Legal work depends heavily on information, but that information is often scattered. Case details end up buried in messages, financial records, and scanned documents that standard search tools cannot read.

More than 35 percent of documents uploaded to MyCase are image-based files or scanned PDFs. Until now, this left a significant portion of case data invisible to both search functions and AI analysis.

Discovery Assistant Explained

Discovery Assistant embeds OCR, which stands for optical character recognition, directly into MyCase. OCR converts scanned documents and image-based files into machine-readable, searchable text.

The tool works automatically the moment a document enters MyCase. This removes the need for third-party OCR software and keeps all case data within a single platform.

By making every document searchable from the start, 8am says it has built the foundation for more intelligent workflows. Firms can now manage caseloads with greater speed because no document is locked away from search or AI analysis.

Case Assistant Upgrades

With Discovery Assistant processing documents, Case Assistant can now draw on a more complete set of case information. It pulls from text documents, image-based files, and client communications to answer questions about any matter.

Legal professionals can ask Case Assistant direct questions and receive instant answers. Examples include retrieving the latest client conversation, checking the status of an unpaid invoice, or locating a detail inside a scanned handwritten letter.

A new prompt library is also included. It offers ready-to-use prompts designed to deliver consistent responses and help legal teams move through routine tasks faster.

Financial data integration is also coming in the weeks ahead, which will further expand what Case Assistant can access within a single matter.

Leslie Witt, Chief Product Officer at 8am, explained the thinking behind the release.

"Legal professionals don't need AI that forces them to work differently. They need AI that fits naturally into the way their work already happens and reduces the burden of manual, time-intensive tasks," said Witt.

She added that the goal of these enhancements is to make every part of a case, including the documents, communications, and financials, instantly searchable, accessible, and actionable.

"Firms can move faster without ever sacrificing the visibility and control the profession demands," Witt said.

The two new capabilities together reflect 8am's stated approach to AI, which focuses on practical technology that reduces time spent on manual tasks so professionals can focus on clients and cases.

About 8am

Founded in 2005, 8am is a professional business platform built for legal, accounting, and other client service professionals. Its platform includes 8am LawPay, 8am CPACharge, 8am MyCase, 8am CasePeer, and 8am DocketWise. The company processes more than 27 billion dollars in payments annually and has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for 14 consecutive years. 8am serves more than 270,000 professionals across North America.