The emergence of generative AI has sparked considerable anxiety among law students and professionals regarding the future of their careers. Rudi Miller, now a junior associate at Orrick, recalls the discussions with her classmates about the potential impact of AI on the job market as they approached graduation. This growing concern led Miller to specialize in litigation, believing that courtroom representation would remain a predominantly human endeavor. Although AI has made significant strides—such as passing the Uniform Bar Exam—many legal professionals remain skeptical about its capability to replace them.
Despite the hype surrounding AI’s potential to transform the legal landscape, the technology still faces considerable challenges. While some law firms have begun adopting AI tools to assist with document review and contract drafting—tasks typically performed by junior associates—experts like Lucas Hale and Allison Douglis express doubts about AI’s reasoning abilities. Hale notes that AI struggles with complex legal questions, often producing inaccurate or irrelevant information. Douglis agrees, stating that while AI can aid in initial legal research, it falls short in developing substantive legal arguments. As a result, many lawyers prefer to collaborate with junior associates rather than rely on AI tools.
The reality is that while AI is reshaping certain functions within the legal profession, the complete automation of legal work is far from imminent. Recent benchmarks, such as the Professional Reasoning Benchmark and the AI Productivity Index, indicate that AI models frequently miss the mark in terms of reliability and accuracy in real-world legal tasks. These findings highlight that passing exams does not equate to the nuanced reasoning required for effective legal practice. Given these limitations, it appears that the role of lawyers will remain essential for the foreseeable future, as they navigate the complexities of the law in ways that current AI technologies cannot replicate.
Source: AI might not be coming for lawyers’ jobs anytime soon via MIT Technology Review