The rapid evolution of technology, particularly generative AI, is poised to significantly impact attorney development within Biglaw firms. Smaller legal tech events, such as Future Lawyer USA, are gaining prominence as important complements to larger industry conferences. The recent conference held at Ropes & Gray’s Boston offices explored various facets of this transformation.
One major theme that surfaced at the conference was the shifting skill set required for junior attorneys. Steve Gluckman, CEO of Skillburst Interactive, discussed how emerging technologies are impacting the traditional apprenticeship model. He emphasized the increasing importance of “soft skills,” as junior associates are likely to become more involved in client-facing activities—a shift from the traditional focus on understanding litigation processes and drafting documents.
Amy Tenney Curren, Director of Attorney Development at Morrison & Foerster, elaborated on this theme, noting that increased client interaction by junior attorneys is expected to be a significant change in the near future. Curren stated that, “It’s not just about understanding litigation processes, but now it’s more about understanding how these processes work for the business, risk management, and client tolerance.” These aspects, she said, are seldom considered by junior lawyers under the traditional model.
Moreover, the conference highlighted the role of AI in enhancing consistency in legal practice. James Ding, CEO of Draftwise, pointed out that while some industries critique generative AI as a “plagiarism machine”, for transactional lawyers, the reuse of source material can be highly beneficial for maintaining consistency and reducing costs. “Rephrasing the same message with different language creates additional costs and uncertainty, while repurposing prior language brings the consistency clients want,” he noted.
Another perspective was provided by Dan Rabinowitz, CEO of Pre-Dicta, who underlined the usefulness of predictive AI in forecasting judicial behavior. He emphasized that, “As we move into new technologies, it’s important not to lose sight of other technologies, whether fully developed or yet to be fully realized.”
The saturation of AI discussion was humorously critiqued by Maribel Rivera of ACEDS, who highlighted that the current focus on generative AI seems to overshadow other important issues like effective training for both new law graduates and seasoned lawyers. Echoing this sentiment, ILTA President, Joy Heath Rush, in her keynote address, asserted that innovation doesn’t always mean adopting new technology, but can also involve creating more efficient processes within the firm.
Additionally, the conference hinted at how technology could transform Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The American Arbitration Association’s acquisition of the online dispute resolution company ODR.com was a crucial announcement, signaling a move towards more technologically integrated dispute resolution mechanisms.
Moving forward, legacy legal organizations, such as the American Arbitration Association, are actively engaging with various legal stakeholders to guide their innovation strategies. As AAA President Bridget McCormack remarked, “Together we can manage what is finally going to be the moment when technology truly integrates into the legal realm.”
The post on the implications of changing skill sets and technology integration in Biglaw attorney development initially appeared on Above the Law.