AI and the legal profession review

Written byDr Corsino San Miguel PhD, Scottish Government Legal Directorate.

In 2024, AI ceased to be a distant abstraction for the legal profession and is now an undeniable presence at every level of practice.

While many industries and corporate functions had already undergone substantial technology-driven transformation, the legal field remained largely untouched. The unstructured nature of legal data and the profession's deep reliance on human judgment kept it anchored in tradition. Yet, with generative AI’s ability to take instruction in natural language, review massive volumes of data, and generate coherent text responses, the tide is turning.

From the hallowed halls of legal education to the fast-paced world of junior associates and the seasoned chambers of senior practitioners, AI demands engagement. It questions established traditions, stirs anxieties of obsolescence, and raises ethical dilemmas. Yet, amidst this disruption, a remarkable transformation is occurring. Reluctance turns into readiness, caution gives way to collaboration, and what begins as a threat reveals itself as a catalyst for evolution. AI is no longer a tool to fear but one to master — a new companion in the pursuit of legal excellence.

From reluctance to readiness: AI's journey in legal education

In early 2024, the air in Scottish legal education was thick with hesitation. Universities faced with the implications of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their curricula, particularly within legal education. The concerns were multifaceted: fears of compromised academic integrity, ethical uncertainties, and the looming question of how AI might disrupt established pedagogies. The legal education ecosystem , rooted in tradition, viewed AI with scepticism — a powerful tool, perhaps, but one fraught with risks. For many, AI was synonymous with cheating, a shortcut undermining genuine learning.

Yet, as the year unfolded, a quiet but determined shift happened. Reluctance gave way to recognition. The academic environment began to accept that AI wasn’t a threat to the education’s foundation but a catalyst for its evolution. In Scotland, a bold leap came in November 2024 with the University of Edinburgh unveiling ELM (Edinburgh (access to) Language Models). This innovative platform offers safer, centralised access to Generative AI. ELM empowers students to summarise material, conduct academic research, and perform literature searches. For staff, it enhances teaching by supporting the development of lesson plans, creation of assessments, and evaluating AI-generated responses to tutorial questions.

This development aligns with initiatives by academic legal institutions such as Robert Gordon University, UCL, City, University of London, Brunel University of London or University of Bradford all of which have introduced AI-focused legal programs. This transition has been driven by necessity. Law students need to be prepared for a reality where AI tools are not optional, but critical. By the close of 2024, the narrative has changed: AI literacy is no longer a fringe skill but a core proficiency for the next generation of lawyers. AI has moved from being a tool for cheating to a tool for competency. Reluctance has transformed into readiness — a readiness not just to use AI, but to shape how AI is used within the evolving landscape of law.

From obsolescence to intrapreneurs: trainees, junior lawyers, and AI

At the outset of 2024, the outlook for trainees and junior lawyers seemed bleak. AI’s rapid rise threatened to make them the casualties of progress. Generative AI tools could perform tasks traditionally assigned to the newest members of legal teams — conducting research, reviewing contracts, and drafting documents — faster and with consistent efficiency. The fear of obsolescence emerged large, casting doubt on the value of early-career lawyers in a world increasingly driven by automation. More critically, this threat wasn’t just about redundancy; it risked undermining the very purpose of a traineeship — the gradual development of essential lawyering skills through hands-on experience, analytical reasoning, iterative learning and effective client communication.

Amid this fears, a different narrative quietly emerged. As firms embrace AI's potential, new opportunities took shape. Consider the Robin AI and VWV partnership, which illustrates that trainees and junior lawyers weren’t sidelined by AI — they are empowered by it. With technological fluency and innovative instincts, these young professionals spearhead AI pilot projects, pitch strategies to leadership, and develop tools to streamline drafting and analysis. Acting as intrapreneurs, they don’t just adapt to AI; they harness it, redefining efficiency and actively shaping the future of legal practice.

As 2024 draws to an end, the shift is increasingly apparent. Trainees and junior lawyers are no longer overshadowed by AI but are finding their place in this evolving landscape. They carve out meaningful and dynamic roles in AI integration while simultaneously honing essential trainee skills. Their technological fluency and innovative mindset position them to support AI adoption in ways seasoned lawyers often cannot. Through AI pilot projects and workflow enhancements, they demonstrate how AI accelerates talent rather than replacing it. These young professionals are now recognised as valuable contributors, developing core lawyering skills as they innovate, adapt, and support the evolving technological needs of the legal profession.

From caution to collaboration: Senior lawyers and AI

Throughout 2024, senior lawyers witnessed a profound shift in their attitudes toward AI within the legal profession. The year began with deep hesitation. Concerns over accuracy and reliability emerged large, with fears of AI’s errors — or “hallucinations” — undermining the quality of legal work. Ethical uncertainties and a lack of clear regulatory guidelines further contributed to a cautious approach. For many seasoned professionals, AI was seen as a disruptor to established practices, a force that might dilute the rigour and tradition of legal services.

As the year unfolded, this scepticism began to soften. The potential of generative AI to process natural language, review vast amounts of data, and generate accurate text responses became too significant to ignore. AI proved particularly effective at handling tasks like legal research, document drafting, and predictive analytics, allowing senior lawyers to focus on strategic work and complex legal judgment. This shift enabled firms to boost efficiency, reduce burnout, and improve client services

To address ethical concerns, professional bodies such as the Law Society of Scotland and individual firms introduced guidelines for responsible AI use, ensuring that technology supports the delivery of justice without compromising ethical standards. Chief Legal Officers played a pivotal role in developing AI governance frameworks to mitigate risks related to privacy, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. They guided their firms in balancing AI’s transformative potential with ethical obligations, reinforcing trust, protecting client confidentiality, and safeguarding the firm’s reputation.

By the end of 2024, seasoned lawyers are no longer merely adapting to AI — they are actively guiding its integration. They take on leadership roles in developing ethical tech frameworks, tackling challenges such as bias, data integrity, and cybersecurity. Their deep expertise in legal judgment complements AI’s capabilities, ensuring that technology upholds the profession’s standards of excellence. Continuous education and training programs keep senior lawyers abreast of AI advancements, empowering them to shape how AI is applied in legal practice.

This transformation from reluctance to collaboration underscores a broader evolution in the legal profession. Senior lawyers now recognise that AI is not replacing their expertise; it is augmenting it, helping them lead with greater efficiency, insight, and adaptability. The future of legal practice is no longer one of resistance, but of strategic collaboration with AI — balancing innovation with the ethical standards that define the profession.

Embracing the future

As 2024 comes to a close, the legal profession stands transformed. AI, once a source of hesitation and fear, is now a catalyst for growth and innovation. From students learning to wield AI as a core skill, to junior lawyers driving technological change, to senior practitioners guiding ethical integration, AI has woven itself into the fabric of legal practice. The path forward is no longer one of resistance, but of strategic collaboration. In this evolving landscape, AI does not diminish the role of lawyers — it enhances it, enabling them to practice with greater efficiency, insight, and adaptability. The pursuit of legal excellence now has a new companion, and the future belongs to those who embrace it.

Written by Dr Corsino San Miguel PhD, LLB in Scots law and graduate in Spanish law. Dr Corsino co-founded and led European Telecom Company before entering academia. He is now a member of the AI Research Group and the Public Sector AI Task Force at the Scottish Government Legal Directorate.

The views expressed here are personal.