Forum panelists predict how AI may change the jobs of law firm associates

Addressing an audience primarily composed of law students, panelists at a NYU Law Forum, sponsored by Latham & Watkins, explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to affect the work and careers of young lawyers at law firms in the next few years.

Panelists at Forum on AI and law practice
Left to right: Christopher Jon Sprigman, Betny Townsend, Anna Gressel, and Gaith Mahmood ’07

Christopher Jon Sprigman, Murray and Kathleen Bring Professor of Law, moderated the January 31 panel, titled “AI in Law Practice: What You Need to Know.” The other participants were Latham partner Ghaith Mahmood ’07, global vice chair of the firm’s data technology and transactions practice; Anna Gressel, counsel at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, whose practice focuses on AI and other technologies; and Betny Townsend, product marketing director at legal technology company DISCO.

The panelists noted that AI is already introducing new efficiencies in areas such as litigation discovery, compliance, and knowledge management, with the potential to free lawyers to spend their time on areas where judgment and experience can add the most value. But, they agreed, AI also brings significant risks, from the so-called hallucinations that can deliver inaccurate results to potential breaches of client confidentiality when documents are used to

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Daily Show Correspondent Joins Law Firm Because That’s Obviously The Logical Next Step

handshake-2056023__340What do you do after you finish skewering the powerful as a Daily Show correspondent? Help sue the powerful with a plaintiff-side firm of course. In one of the more unexpected staffing press releases we’ve received, Edelson PC just announced that it’s bringing on actor and comedian Bob Wiltfong to serve as its new Director of Communication & Impact.

Perhaps it’s not that unexpected. Edelson has a rich tradition of embracing its artistic side, having formed Edelson Creative as a showcase for rap videos about non-compliance or Disney spoofs about class actions. The group also put out an award-winning video about its role in the Tom Girardi matter.

As part of his new job, Wiltfong will supply content to the creative wing, as well as directing the firm’s public relations. And what more would a plaintiff’s firm need out of public relations than a relatable voice to help folks understand they’re being screwed over by the powerful? It’s starting to sound a lot like The Daily Show.

He also famously hosted a TED Talk about taking the BS out of business speaking. Not quite sure how “Director of Communication & Impact” fits into the business speak critique…

“I’m used

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International firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner announces second round of layoffs in under a year

Reuters reported that the legal industry, particularly in the US, has seen a series of layoffs among large firms over the past year, attributed mainly to a softening demand for legal services, especially within transactional practices. Although the pace of publicly confirmed layoffs seemed to have slowed in recent months, the sector remains in a state of flux, as evidenced by the nearly 10 percent workforce reduction at Silicon Valley-based Fenwick & West last month, a move reported by various media outlets.

Despite these industry adjustments, the broader US legal services sector appears resilient, adding 2,700 jobs in February and approaching its all-time employment high from December, per the latest US Labor Department data. This data encompasses various legal workers employed across law firms, companies, and other organizations.

This series of layoffs at BCLP follows the dismissal of 47 business services professionals globally last May. The previous round of layoffs was said to mainly affect secretarial and administrative positions in the US, attributed to “excess capacity following a comprehensive review of support ratios.”

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