Chatbots Won’t Eliminate Legal Jobs, Says New York Law Firm
Leaders at a prominent New York law firm are asserting that chatbots aren’t a threat to employment; in fact, the situation is quite the reverse, contrary to rumors going around in the legal sphere about potential layoffs.
There’s been a lot of chatter at Fried Frank, a well-established firm known for serving clients like Goldman Sachs and Tishman Speyer, that they might soon reduce their entry-level positions. Sources close to the firm have indicated there could be substantial cuts.
However, a senior figure at Fried Frank strongly refuted this, pointing out that while this year’s cohort of junior associates has decreased to 60 from 87 in 2023, this change follows a hiring boom three years ago. That surge was a response to the pandemic-driven increase in demand for legal services, particularly around mergers and acquisitions.
Despite the widespread media narrative regarding AI’s potential to disrupt law firms, senior partners emphasize that this year’s incoming class size aligns more closely with future expectations, rather than reflecting darker forecasts.
“We don’t intend to shrink our workforce,” a senior partner stated, wishing to remain anonymous.
According to the partners, the integration of AI is expected to enhance lawyer productivity, allowing for a greater focus on client interaction and core tasks. This applies to junior lawyers too, potentially leading to an improved workload and overall job experience.
The partners further elaborated, “Like many technological advancements, we see this as a chance for lawyers to grow.”
Currently, the majority of attorneys at leading firms are utilizing some AI forms, which can quickly scan vast amounts of documentation and pinpoint relevant case laws. It’s efficient to the extent that training a human to match this speed could take years.
The partners at Fried Frank contend that delegating these tasks to chatbots means attorneys can dedicate their efforts to nuanced aspects of the law that machines aren’t equipped to handle yet—such as persuading clients or offering advanced legal counsel.
Still, there’s an ongoing skepticism about whether these productivity improvements will actually boost legal employment levels. It seems likely that while skilled lawyers remain irreplaceable, many in the profession may find their roles becoming increasingly automated.
Much of the legal work performed routinely might not require a human touch, leading to a situation where first-year associates are increasingly replaced by bots doing basic tasks, ultimately shrinking the job pool.
Furthermore, Google’s AI tool, Gemini, notes that Fried Frank employs over 800 lawyers globally, rounded out by an overall staff count ranging from 1,000 to 1,650 when you add in administrative roles. Gathering this information today took mere seconds—something that, in the past, would have consumed much more of my time, depending on various delays.
I’m inclined to think that as AI capabilities continue to expand, Fried Frank could potentially double its workforce in the next few years, driven by these technological advancements. Although that’s just a thought, and I’m not entirely sold on it.
Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley is reportedly looking to eliminate around 2,500 roles through automation, following trends similar to those initiated by Jack Dorsey’s fintech venture, Block.
