Law firms are adapting to meet the evolving demands of their clients by hiring professionals skilled in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) rather than focusing solely on legal expertise. As the legal industry witnesses a surge in the adoption of AI, law firms are actively seeking experts in this field to gain a competitive edge.
According to Chris Tart-Roberts, head of the legal technology practice at Macfarlanes, the demand for artificial intelligence specialists in law firms has reached unprecedented levels in the past six months. The increasing popularity of generative AI, which employs machine learning to make predictions, has accelerated the search for more effective technology solutions within the legal sector. While chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT have become a cause for concern among legal professionals, they also present opportunities for streamlining processes and alleviating junior lawyers from mundane tasks.
A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania highlights the vulnerability of legal services to ChatGPT-style software, suggesting that AI has the potential to replace certain aspects of junior lawyer work. The accessibility and analytical capabilities of AI make it well-suited for time-consuming legal tasks such as analyzing large documents, predicting arguments based on past cases, or generating deposition questions based on predefined criteria.
Leading UK law firm Allen & Overy has already taken steps in this direction by introducing a chatbot to assist lawyers in drafting contracts and memos. Other firms, like Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, have begun piloting legal AI “assistants” such as Casetext’s CoCounsel. Travers Smith and Weightmans are also actively exploring AI applications, with the former promoting a software engineer to the role of AI manager and the latter hiring junior legal-engineers to cater to the growing demand for tech expertise.
The transformation in the legal landscape is prompting professionals within the industry to expand their skill sets. At Macfarlanes, one senior team member is pursuing a master’s degree in AI at the University of Cambridge, while Allen & Overy plans to augment its team of lawyers and developers with more data scientists who specialize in AI-powered software for contract drafting and negotiation facilitation.
This shift in the legal job market is even influencing law school curricula. The University of Liverpool now offers modules that equip students with the necessary skills to interact with legal tech tools, reflecting the changing dynamics of the legal profession.
While the integration of AI and data scientists in law firms does not imply the replacement of lawyers, it does signal the emergence of new roles within the industry. Clients, driven by a desire for greater transparency and cost-effective legal services, are propelling this unmistakable trend. As law firms embrace the potential of AI, they are adapting their workforce and curricula to meet the evolving needs of the digital age.
