It’s
nearly
impossible
to
avoid
the
effects
of
generative
artificial
intelligence
(AI).
No
matter
what
your
role
entails
or
what
type
of
legal
organization
you
work
for,
AI’s
impact
is
inescapable.
Whether
it’s
increasing
workflow
efficiencies,
reducing
the
need
for
new
hires,
or
creating
new
roles
focused
on
AI
rollouts,
it
is
undoubtedly
changing
the
way
that
work
gets
done
in
the
legal
space
and
beyond.
You
need
look
no
further
than
the
results
of
two
recent
surveys
for
evidence
of
this
phenomenon:
LinkedIn’s
Guide
to
Futureproofing
Your
Career
and
ILTA’s
2025
Technology
Survey.
Both
include
data
on
AI’s
impact
on
the
workplace
and
how
it
is
shaping
the
future
of
jobs
by
shifting
expectations
on
outcomes
and
required
professional
skillsets.
If
you’re
unsure
how
your
legal
role
will
evolve
in
the
years
to
come,
these
latest
statistics
will
provide
actionable
insights.
From
replacing
certain
functions
to
expanding
hiring
for
certain
roles,
there’s
a
lot
of
predictable
—
and
sometimes
unexpected
—
change
on
the
horizon.
LinkedIn’s
Data
Just
this
week,
LinkedIn
shared
the
results
of
a
survey
that
offered
insight
into
the
evolution
of
work
in
the
AI
era. According
to
LinkedIn’s
analysis,
85%
of
U.S.
professionals
expect
that
at
least
a
quarter
of
their
skills
will
be
impacted
by
AI.
Key
roles
respondents
reported
had
already
been
impacted
by
AI
included
media
and
communications,
marketing,
and
human
resources.
Although
this
data
is
broadly
applicable
to
the
entire
workforce,
the
functions
cited
as
the
most
likely
to
evolve
—
writer/editor,
data
analyst,
and
marketing
strategist
—
are
also
central
functions
within
law
firms.
This
means
that
when
firm
employees
use
AI
for
tasks
like
marketing
and
communications,
HR,
and
operations,
they
streamline
the
more
tedious
aspects
of
these
jobs
and
are
better
able
to
focus
on
more
impactful,
higher-level
work.
The
data
shows
that
some
types
of
work,
however,
are
less
affected.
As
the
report
notes,
“Jobs
grounded
in
physical
presence
or
human-to-human
interaction
are
seeing
slower
shifts.”
Thus,
for
lawyers,
face-to-face
work
like
courtroom
advocacy,
negotiation,
and
client
counseling
will
continue
to
be
in
high
demand.
In
other
words,
the
most
important
takeaway
is
that
human
skills
will
matter
more
than
ever.
“The
vast
majority
of
global
professionals
(79%)
believe
that
even
as
AI
becomes
more
advanced,
there’s
no
substitute
for
human
intuition
or
the
insights
we
glean
from
trusted
colleagues.
This
suggests
human
skills
like
conflict
mitigation,
adaptability,
innovating
thinking,
and
stakeholder
management
are
more
important
than
ever.
The
human
edge
comes
from
strong
judgement
and
the
ability
to
connect
the
dots
in
a
complex
environment.”
ILTA’s
Technology
Data
Data
from
ILTA’s
2025
Technology
Survey
mirrors
LinkedIn’s
findings,
highlighting
how
using
AI
to
address
administrative
and
operational
tasks
clears
the
way
for
higher-level
work.
ILTA’s
data
shows
that
80%
of
firms
are
already
using
or
exploring
AI
and
expect
that
AI
will
also
impact
their
hiring
approach.
Just
as
LinkedIn’s
survey
highlighted
new
roles
emerging
around
AI
across
the
entire
workforce,
ILTA’s
results
confirm
the
same
trend
inside
law
firms.
To
support
AI
adoption,
firms
plan
to
increase
hiring
in
some
areas,
including
IT
(32%),
innovation
(26%),
and
knowledge
management
(20%).
As
explained
in
ILTA’s
report,
AI
is
widely
used
in
legal
organizations
for
administrative
work.
Top
use
cases
include
IT
security
and
training
(64%),
research
(57%),
marketing
and
business
development
(55%),
litigation
support
such
as
e-discovery
and
training
(53%),
and
developing
presentations
(40%).
These
statistics
mirror
the
LinkedIn
data,
where
functions
like
marketing,
communications,
and
operations
were
reported
as
most
impacted
by
AI.
Firms
expect
AI
to
play
a
larger
role
in
core
legal
tasks
over
the
next
year.
The
most
common
planned
uses
include
summarizing
documents
(84%),
legal
research
(80%),
creating
initial
drafts
of
documents
(78%),
writing
presentations
(67%),
drafting
client
alerts
and
emails
(61%),
and
brainstorming
ideas
(59%).
This
aligns
with
LinkedIn’s
broader
conclusion
that
AI
will
reshape
day-to-day
work,
enabling
professionals
to
focus
on
higher-level
strategy,
judgment,
and
collaboration.
The
Path
Forward
AI
is
here
to
stay,
so
ignoring
it
simply
isn’t
an
option.
Instead,
embrace
the
productivity
gains
it
offers
and
prepare
your
firm
for
success
in
an
AI-enabled
business
landscape.
Firms
large
and
small
can
benefit
from
implementing
AI
tools
strategically.
The
potential
is
significant,
and
ensuring
that
your
firm
is
ahead
of
the
AI
adoption
curve
will
pay
off
long-term.
Learn
as
much
as
you
can
about
AI
trends,
and
take
advantage
of
data
from
surveys
like
LinkedIn’s
and
ILTA’s
to
aid
in
your
decision-making.
Determine
which
functions
in
your
firm
can
be
handled
most
effectively
by
AI
tools.
Obtain
input
from
your
staff
and
ensure
that
they
receive
the
necessary
training
once
you’ve
incorporated
AI
into
your
law
firm’s
workflows.
Consider
AI-gained
efficiencies
when
forecasting
revenues
and
planning
for
the
year
to
come
to
ensure
that
you
fully
reap
the
benefits
of
your
AI
investment.
The
firms
that
will
benefit
the
most
will
be
those
that
view
AI
as
a
tool
to
reduce
time
investment
in
low-value
work
and
focus
on
the
human
skills
clients
rely
on
the
most:
strategic
thinking,
sound
judgment,
and
trusted
advice.
Nicole
Black is
a
Rochester,
New
York
attorney
and
Principal
Legal
Insight
Strategist
at 8am,
the
team
behind
8am
MyCase,
LawPay,
CasePeer,
and
DocketWise.
She’s
been blogging since
2005,
has
written
a weekly
column for
the
Daily
Record
since
2007,
is
the
author
of Cloud
Computing
for
Lawyers,
co-authors Social
Media
for
Lawyers:
the
Next
Frontier,
and
co-authors Criminal
Law
in
New
York.
She’s
easily
distracted
by
the
potential
of
bright
and
shiny
tech
gadgets,
along
with
good
food
and
wine.
You
can
follow
her
on
Twitter
at @nikiblack and
she
can
be
reached
at [email protected].