As the legal profession undergoes a profound transformation with the rise of AI, one legal expert explains how the role of a lawyer is being redefined and what to expect in the coming years as this technology continues to evolve.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform the way the legal profession has traditionally operated, Madeleine Porter, legal industry expert at iManage, stressed that AI is no longer a futuristic concept for law firms.
Instead, she explained that this technology is fundamentally reshaping the role of lawyers and redefining their day-to-day responsibilities across Australia.
In just a few short years, Porter noted, the rise of AI has begun transforming the legal profession, with once-repetitive tasks increasingly automated and lawyers able to shift their focus to higher-value work.
“Over the last few years, we’ve seen those repetitive legal tasks, such as filing, contract review and contract drafting, becoming increasingly automated,” she said.
“As a result, lawyers are reclaiming time for higher-value and strategically important work, including client engagement and business counsel.”
She added that AI assistants are also transforming workflows by instantly “surfacing insights from firm knowledge, shifting the demands and augmenting the day-to-day responsibilities of legal professionals”.
What will it look like in 5 years?
Looking ahead, Porter predicted that the role of lawyers will continue to evolve over the next five to 10 years, as AI adoption becomes more widespread and firms move to solidify their implementation strategies.
She anticipates that in the coming years, AI will redefine how lawyers tackle challenges, shifting them away from reactive responses and towards a more proactive role as strategic advisers who can prevent issues before they arise.
“The role of the lawyer will shift, and there will be a move from reactive problem-solvers to proactive, strategic advisors who foresee and predict potential issues before they materialise for their clients, which ultimately elevates the provision of legal services,” she said.
This transformation isn’t happening in isolation. Porter predicts the emergence of new collaborative practice models within law firms, where professionals share insights and best practices around AI usage.
“We’ll see a practice group emerging in which legal professionals work together to share best practices around AI as the need for lawyers to be ‘tech-literate’ increases, as not only will legal practitioners need to navigate the ever-evolving regulatory landscape but will [also] need to advise clients in their own use and implications of AI,” she said.
Why avoidance isn’t the option
Amid the excitement surrounding AI and its potential for the legal profession, many lawyers also feel fear and uncertainty about whether the technology could replace their roles and what the future may hold.
However, Porter emphasised that when it comes to AI, “avoidance is not an option” for the legal profession.
She explained that lawyers must actively engage with AI, not only to remain relevant and competitive in the profession but also to harness its potential effectively and avoid falling behind their peers.
“Lawyers will need to engage if they want to remain relevant and competitive. Building confidence and educating lawyers around how AI works, how to utilise the technology responsibly and ethically, and where its limits lie will be crucial,” she said.
Porter also advised firms to prioritise educating their lawyers on AI’s mechanics, responsible use, ethical boundaries, and limitations, noting that AI is only as effective as the data that powers it.
“Ultimately, AI is only as strong as the data behind it. Therefore, firms must regularly monitor and assess internal data to ensure it’s organised, correctly governed, and secure in order to leverage it to its full potential in a safe environment,” she said.
What lawyers need to do to thrive
To thrive in an AI-enhanced legal landscape, Porter explained, lawyers must embrace new skills and capabilities to position themselves for success.
One of the key skills Porter highlighted for lawyers to future-proof their careers is AI and data literacy, which she described as essential capabilities to have in the legal environment.
“AI and data literacy will be a must-have skill for the legal profession to future-proof careers. Knowing how to effectively interact with systems, from prompting to evaluating results, will enhance an organisation’s ability to operate effectively and remain competitive,” she said.
Alongside technical skills, Porter highlighted the growing importance of human qualities, noting that they will become key differentiators in a market increasingly augmented by technology.
“Behind the technical skills, there will be an increased importance placed on ‘human’ skills such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and tactful negotiation, which will help differentiate players in the market,” she said.
“Rather than replacing those skills, AI will magnify their importance.”
Amid the continuous changes AI is bringing, she also stressed that ongoing education and training will be critical as the technology evolves and regulatory frameworks adapt.
“Technical training and education around AI use are also going to be of vital importance. As AI evolves, so does the regulation governing it,” she said.
“Organisations that provide training opportunities and stay updated on technical, ethical, and regulatory changes for their staff will be more favourable than those that don’t.”
