AI Rewrites the Path to Partnership in Big Law
AI is automating entry-level junior associate work in Big Law, reshaping training and the route to partnership. Firms are embedding AI into research, drafting and document review, speeding up tasks and trimming headcount and summer programs. While AI could create new legal roles, experts warn that without a new apprenticeship system, the talent pipeline may falter as junior work—traditionally used to train and bill—shrinks; the next year will be crucial as firms design AI workflows and address client data and consent issues.
