Automation is no longer a luxury, but an essential component of a modern law firm organization. Optimizing processes not only saves time but also creates space for real consulting. In this context, many tech-savvy law firms are encountering the tool n8n – an open-source automation platform that boasts a graphical editor and over 300 integrations. Technically speaking, n8n is a so-called node-based workflow automator, in which individual steps – such as retrieving a document or triggering an email – are linked as nodes. The platform can be operated both locally and in the cloud and enables enormous flexibility through custom scripts and API connections.
This flexibility, however, comes at a price. Not only in terms of the initial learning curve – n8n is almost impossible for non-technical users to use without external help – but above all in terms of data protection, scalability, and operational reliability. Those who host n8n themselves must take care of security updates, encryption, database connectivity, and access rights themselves. Cloud offerings like n8n.io offer greater convenience, but immediately raise questions about storage location and data protection compliance – especially with regard to Section 203 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) and the GDPR. Tax advisors, who are bound by professional secrecy, are not allowed to switch to platforms where it is unclear whether third parties could gain access to confidential data. Support from providers like n8n is also limited in emergencies – a problem that many firms only realize when the system is in live operation.
The learning curve is another stumbling block: n8n is powerful, but not self-explanatory. Using it requires technical understanding, API knowledge, and a certain degree of DevOps expertise – resources that are simply not available, especially in small and medium-sized law firms. Often, the euphoria after the first few attempts ends with the realization that the maintenance effort outweighs the benefits.
At this point, it's worth taking a look into the Microsoft universe—more specifically, at what Microsoft Copilot Studio (MCP) will enable in the future. MCP is far more than just another low-code tool. It's part of the Microsoft Power Platform and enables the development, orchestration, and automation of workflows, chatbots, and AI-supported business processes—fully embedded in Microsoft 365.
In contrast to n8n, operation here is dialog-oriented, sometimes even in natural language. An assistant asks for the goal, content, and action – and generates ready-made processes that can run via Power Automate, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, or even Dynamics. Instead of fumbling over API keys and webhooks, business users can create processes using a familiar interface. This significantly lowers the hurdle and, for the first time, opens up the possibility of building automation internally – without external developers.
MCP also leverages its strengths in data protection law. Data processing takes place within the Microsoft ecosystem, which has already undergone numerous audits according to EU standards. Law firms that already rely on Microsoft 365 can benefit from the fact that data remains in familiar structures – such as OneDrive, SharePoint, or the Dataverse. In combination with features such as Customer Lockbox, BYOK (Bring Your Own Key), or the planned EU Data Boundary, even sensitive data can be processed without increasing compliance risk. Integration with Azure Information Protection and Entra ID also enables targeted control of access rights and audits – far beyond what n8n can handle in its own operations.
MCP becomes particularly exciting in conjunction with Microsoft Fabric: Data from accounting, client portals, and BI reports can be centrally orchestrated, analyzed, and automatically processed. What is currently handled manually via Zapier, n8n, or complex PowerShell scripts will in future be replaced by Microsoft's platform strategy: end-to-end automation within a familiar security framework.
And what does this mean for n8n? The truth is: n8n remains a powerful tool – especially for developers, agencies, and specialized applications beyond the Microsoft stack. However, for tax firms that already rely on Microsoft, using n8n is associated with long-term risks: high maintenance costs, unclear data protection regulations, and a growing gap with the Microsoft world, where the client portal, document storage, communication, and reporting will take place in the future.
The conclusion is clear: Anyone who wants to invest in automation today should consider not only the project but also the platform strategy. Experiments with n8n can be expensive if it later turns out that the workflows cannot be smoothly integrated into the M365 environment or if data protection needs to be improved. Therefore, the scarce IT resources in law firms should be specifically focused on building a secure, future-proof Microsoft environment. Those who do their homework with Microsoft 365 – with a clear structure, authorization concept, training, and automation via MCP – will not only become more efficient but also more resilient to the challenges of the coming years.
Because one thing is certain: the future belongs to integrated automation – and in the law firm of tomorrow, this will no longer take place on the command line, but in Teams, Outlook and Fabric.
If you're ready to get started, contact us. We don't sell you tools; we advise you on your strategy: so you and your firm can set the right course.
