AI is expected to transform the role of associates in Big Law, not eliminate it, though the path forward may look very different than in the past.
- AI is already replacing or streamlining routine junior associate work such as document review and drafting.
- Firms may hire fewer entry-level associates while increasing reliance on mid-level talent who can contribute immediately.
- There is a risk that fewer junior roles today could lead to talent gaps in future associate classes.
- Associates who learn to use AI tools and pursue emerging areas of work will be better positioned for long-term success.
- Relationship building, judgment, client development and other human skills will remain critical differentiators in an AI-driven legal market.
The biggest law firms aren't just adopting AI; they're building it. For instance, just within the last few weeks, Kirkland & Ellis announced a $500 million investment toward developing its own proprietary AI platform, while Fried Frank launched its own AI platform for its funds practice.
As major law firms double down on AI and incorporate it further into their operations, there's still a big unanswered question about what this means for associates. In my conversations with younger attorneys, I'm hearing growing concern, accompanied by an underlying tone of anxiety on what the future holds, and in some cases, whether their very roles are at risk.
