Speaking at Western Sydney University’s recent 30th anniversary celebration, the chief executive of BigLaw firm Bartier Perry has stressed that, despite growing fears, artificial intelligence will not replace graduate lawyers.
Despite growing fears about the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, graduate lawyers are not at risk of being displaced by emerging technologies, Bartier Perry CEO Riana Steyn has told a legal panel at Western Sydney University (WSU).
Speaking at an event marking 30 years since the founding of WSU’s School of Law, Steyn said young lawyers are increasingly being overwhelmed by online commentary warning their jobs may soon disappear.
However, she reassured the audience that while AI will indeed transform the legal profession as we know it, it cannot replace the essential human qualities required in law, nor will it make legal graduate roles obsolete.
“AI will transform the law – just as it will transform our clients’ businesses,” Steyn said.
“However, AI is not genuinely empathetic. It is not ethically driven. It does not possess negotiation, judgement, or advocacy skills.
“Legal graduate jobs, therefore, will not disappear – but they will evolve.”
Also speaking on the panel, Bartier Perry’s chief people officer Nadine Cooper urged law schools to better integrate technology and innovation into their core curriculum.
“We believe legal technology and innovation must be embedded into core curricula – not offered as electives,” Cooper said.
“Universities will also need to model continuous learning by providing access to short courses, digital platforms, and peer learning opportunities.”
The panel discussion took place during an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of Western Sydney University’s School of Law, which marked three decades of legal education, community engagement, and a steadfast commitment to social justice.
Held last week (24 July), the event brought together students, alumni, staff, and legal dignitaries to celebrate and reflect on the law school’s far-reaching impact across “Western Sydney and beyond”.
Dean of the school, Professor Catherine Renshaw, used the milestone to reinforce the school’s founding principles: social justice, equity, and opportunity.
“This year, we celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the School of Law – a significant milestone. It is an opportunity to renew our commitment to excellence in legal education,” Renshaw said.
“We are deepening our connections with the legal profession, creating more opportunities for students, and ensuring our graduates have the skills they need to succeed.”
As of 2025, the School of Law is educating around 2,000 students across its programs, with the university noting that many come from “low socioeconomic backgrounds”.
Coinciding with the vice-chancellor’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Student”, Western Sydney University stated that the anniversary will serve as a launchpad for new “scholarships, awards, bursaries, internships, and mentoring opportunities”.
A key part of this will be the 30 Year Scholarship Appeal, intended to help law students from disadvantaged backgrounds stay in their studies and reach graduation.
“Western law students are unique. They are diverse, open-minded, determined, ambitious, and driven by a desire to make a difference. But we know the path isn’t always easy – that’s why we are working hard to break down barriers and ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve their potential,” Renshaw said.
“Two-thirds of Western Sydney University students are the first in their family to attend university. We have the largest number of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and the largest number of students from non-English speaking backgrounds in Australia.”
