Knowing how to prompt gen AI is going to be an essential skill for lawyers in the next few years, if it's not already.
When I first started in the law, a wise mentor said to me that a good lawyer doesn't need to remember everything about a case, just how to find everything quickly. It's the four hours spent sharpening the axe that makes all the difference of course.
Now, I think lawyers need to know how to maximise the output from gen AI tools by improving the inputs.
Not only that, lawyers should learn how to link skills while using gen AI (next level stuff).
For example, turning the product of an AI research answer (after checking it like you would a junior lawyer's research memo) into an email to a client with a particular tone or intent (and then reviewing it again before sending).
Everything is changing so fast.
Here at SPEIR. we are trialling anything we can get our hands on.
Remember boolean searches in Westlaw (or Brookers if you've been around a bit)? A thing of the past now when you can have a chat conversation with a research database using natural language.
Gone are the days when junior lawyers sifted through email chains and created chronologies in excel to append to client advice. Now, there are tools like Goodfact that can do the same job in seconds after you upload your documents.
And what about those long, tedious letters we've all received from the other side (and, let's be honest, we've drafted them too) that need to be summarised and sent to the client by way of an update? Copilot or Adobe Assistant can do it for you with a click of the mouse.
It is a super exciting time to be a lawyer right now.
I'm no tech warrior by any stretch of the imagination but I am curious and keen to understand how these tools might solve a problem or reduce friction in my workflow.
If you treat the AI like a grad (remaining patient, appreciate that they are learning, and always check and double check their work) then there are huge opportunities for everyone, no matter where you are at in your career.
My pick is that the grads will have worked this out already and it wouldn't surprise me at all if the next wave of talented young lawyers walking up Shortland Street (or is it around Commercial Bay these days?) are already ahead of this game.
Have fun and stay safe out there (check, recheck, then send).
