5 Ways AI Is Reshaping Legal Careers
AI automation risk by legal role, the tools transforming law firms, and what attorneys, paralegals, and legal researchers should do now.
The AI Legal Cheat Sheet by What About AI? breaks down AI automation risk for every major legal role, identifies the AI tools transforming law firms, and provides actionable guidance for attorneys, paralegals, and legal researchers to adapt their careers.
Source: What About AI?
Key Insights from This Guide
Here are some of the most important findings. Download the full guide for complete analysis, action steps, and checklists.
60%+ of Attorney Work Automatable Today
While published research cites 25% automation risk, real-world assessment puts attorney automation risk at 60%+, with 44% of all legal tasks fully automatable and 80% automation risk for paralegal workload using current AI tools.
65-70% of Legal Research Automatable
AI handles case law, precedent analysis, and statutory research across jurisdictions faster and cheaper than human legal researchers, consistently beating human experts in research speed and comprehensiveness.
Progressive Firms Cut Paralegal Headcount by 50%
Law firms using AI for research, filing automation, document preparation, and administrative tasks have successfully reduced paralegal headcount by half while handling 2-3x more cases with attorney oversight.
Courtroom Advocacy Safe for 5-10 Years
Courtroom presence and jury advocacy remain minimal-risk roles with a 5-10 year horizon due to the court system's slow technology adoption, making this the only major attorney value bucket where human judgment remains irreplaceable near-term.
What's Inside the Cheat Sheet
Automation Risk by Role
Exact percentages for lawyers, paralegals, legal researchers, and support staff—with what each number really means.
AI Tools for Legal Work
Claude, ChatGPT, Fathom, and more—which tools handle drafting, research, intake, and billing right now.
What AI Can't Replace
Courtroom advocacy and strategic counsel remain firmly human. Know where to focus your value.
Real Law Firm Results
Case studies from firms cutting paralegal staff, scaling intake, and freeing attorneys for courtroom work.
Industry Timeline
What's happening now, in 1–2 years, 3–5 years, and 5–10 years for legal professionals.
Action Steps
Specific next steps for attorneys, paralegals, and anyone who needs legal help.
Get the Full Cheat Sheet
Download the complete AI Legal Cheat Sheet with automation risk scores, AI tools for every legal role, and your action plan.
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