Gilbert + Tobin Scales AI with OpenAI Tools, Streamlines Workflows

Australian corporate law firm Gilbert + Tobin is making waves in the professional services sector by integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT Enterprise and Codex into its operations. The firm, known for its expertise in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and disputes, has focused on using AI to optimize operational workflows, not replace legal judgment. The results have been striking: certain tasks that previously took hours are now completed in minutes.

The firm’s AI journey began with a controlled rollout of ChatGPT Enterprise to its operations teams, allowing for practical use cases to be tested before expanding adoption. By June 2026, ChatGPT was being used across various departments, including marketing, recruitment, finance, and even parts of the legal practice. Notably, 87% of enabled users were actively using the tool as of mid-2026—more than double the adoption rate typically seen for other technologies at the firm.

Efficiency Gains Across Workflows

AI adoption has yielded tangible results. For example, recruitment research and data extraction tasks that once consumed four hours now take just 20 minutes. Similarly, anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC), and conflict checks that previously required three to eight hours can now be completed in as little as five minutes. Preparing audit reports for 300 entities, a task that took an entire day of manual work, has been automated through Codex, saving significant time and effort.

Marketing teams benefit from ChatGPT’s ability to synthesize past pitch materials, enabling them to tailor responses for new opportunities more efficiently. With the firm generating up to 500 pitches annually, this has improved both the speed and quality of output. Finance and technology teams have also embraced the tools for tasks such as data analysis, documentation, and internal training materials.

Leadership and Governance Driving Adoption

CEO Sam Nickless played a pivotal role in promoting AI adoption. By actively using ChatGPT in his own work and positioning it as a tool to enhance professional judgment rather than a shortcut, Nickless set the tone for the firm. His message, “AI is not cheating,” resonated with employees, encouraging experimentation and adoption. Role-specific training and tailored demonstrations further supported the rollout, ensuring employees understood how to apply the technology effectively.

Governance has been a cornerstone of Gilbert + Tobin’s AI strategy. Clear guidelines were established to manage sensitive client and business data, supported by OpenAI’s enterprise-grade controls, including data residency in Australia. These measures have provided the confidence needed to expand AI use across the firm while maintaining professional accountability.

Codex: From Assistance to Execution

While ChatGPT has streamlined individual tasks, Codex has taken automation a step further by executing multistep workflows under human review. For instance, Codex was used to rename and prepare 1,100 files for system upload, a task that would have taken days to complete manually. It has also been instrumental in building custom tools, such as a Python application for specific business needs and a monitoring system for the firm’s AWS environment.

Looking Ahead

Gilbert + Tobin plans to extend access to ChatGPT Work and Codex as it implements the necessary controls for broader use. The firm envisions an interconnected working environment where employees can seamlessly leverage AI for operational tasks, research, and output generation without switching between systems. As OpenAI continues to refine its enterprise tools, the collaboration between the two entities could serve as a model for other professional services firms looking to adopt AI responsibly and effectively.

With AI adoption accelerating across industries, Gilbert + Tobin’s approach underscores the importance of leadership, governance, and accountability in scaling these technologies. Their success demonstrates how generative AI can transform operational efficiency without compromising trust or professional standards.

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