A Tech-Enabled Approach to Professional Development Is the Path Forward for Young Lawyers

The legal industry has changed more in the last five years than in the previous few decades. And now artificial intelligence (AI) may accelerate that pace even further. While fears of an army of robotic attorneys replacing us at the courthouse or earning and keeping our clients’ trust are almost certainly premature, as legal professionals, it still may feel overwhelming to keep up with technological changes. This is a driving force behind the importance of lawyers engaging in continuous professional development, mentoring, and long-term succession planning. “But it’s always been done this way” is not a viable approach. Instead, we must be proactive by continuing to evolve as attorneys. After all, our education doesn’t stop the moment we graduate law school or pass the bar, and the difference between a good and a great attorney is the willingness to keep learning, innovating, and embracing the exciting fluctuations in our profession.

Reframe How This Is Benefiting, Not Hurting You

First, recalibrate to view AI as a tool rather than a blunt instrument. AI shifts the balance of labor and makes legal work more efficient, but the tech isn’t taking away jobs; rather, it makes things like research and writing faster. This is especially beneficial for younger associates, who are asked to complete demanding tasks in a world of vast information. And because the younger generations are more likely to accept new technology, up-and-coming attorneys could increase productivity in ways you might not have imagined. Encouraging them on these paths will prime them for later succession planning as they grow and change right alongside the industry.

Remain Curious

Because attorneys are high-functioning, analytical, and goal-oriented people, it is crucial to increase skills throughout our careers. Attending seminars and classes about relevant topics such as data analysis and visualization skills increases our acumen, and it’s also good for our overall brain health. Engaging in continuing educational courses such as cybersecurity and data privacy also trains your brain to see the law in a new way—and in ways nonhuman AI simply cannot. Stepping away from your office environment to attend outside seminars and meet new people gives you the chance to learn from other lawyers of diverse backgrounds, and thereby increases your cross-cultural communication skills. Cultural competence is as important as intellectual capital in legal practice.

Learning Is Leading

In addition to the ongoing CLE benefits, attorneys will think more about clients’ business needs. Increasingly, clients are demanding more efficient, cost-effective legal services, so it is incumbent on attorneys to educate themselves about the latest trends in providing innovative and value-added services. The more money you save your clients, the more they will rely on you as a trusted adviser. The benefits of tapping into the efficiency and corresponding possibilities afforded by embracing and integrating AI into our practices are far-reaching. Though too numerous to list, the exponential improvement in work quality and mental health are among the key reasons my enthusiasm for AI symbiosis continues to grow.

The Value of Continuing Education

Developing legal skills such as negotiation, contract drafting, and litigation while keeping abreast of the latest developments in your specific legal area makes an attorney more of an expert to turn to for advice. Becoming a thought leader also puts lawyers in greater demand. Granted, you may not necessarily be in the market for a new job, but continuing education could pay off for career advancement. As your “market value” increases, consider volunteering to speak at industry events with groups such as the American Bar Association (ABA), the International Bar Association (IBA), and publish content that provides value to your clients and prospects. In this way, you seize the opportunity to become a changemaker and trendsetter.

Demonstrate Subject Matter Expertise

Positioning yourself as an authority or subject matter expert in the media is a smart way to earn credibility. In addition to submitting your writing for publication by a bar association (e.g., the American Bar Association Journal) or a university law review, there are literally dozens of legal-oriented outlets seeking articles. If you’ve never published before, now is the time to start. Start working with your marketing and PR teams to form relationships with editors and ask more seasoned colleagues for guidance on what worked for them.

Learning is a lifelong process, especially for attorneys, and one that will benefit our legal industry. A surefire way to let AI take over the legal profession is for attorneys to stop learning. As you learn, keep seeking out continuing education courses, conferences, and publications in need of thought leadership. Pay it forward by educating and encouraging others. Commit to improvement and stay resolute on this ceaseless journey.

Michael Iles is an attorney in Ball Janik’s insurance recovery practice group. He may be reached at [email protected].