The growing use of AI in legal practice is changing more than just workflows — it’s influencing how law firms hire associate attorneys across various fields.

Here’s how AI is impacting hiring decisions:

Reduced Demand for Routine Work Many tasks once handled by junior associates — such as document review, basic legal research, and first-draft writing — are now being assisted or automated by AI tools like CoCounsel, Harvey, and Spellbook. As a result, firms are less focused on hiring associates to handle high-volume, repetitive work.
Increased Emphasis on Strategic Thinking Law firms are shifting their hiring priorities toward candidates who bring critical thinking, sound legal judgment, and strong communication skills. Associates who can interpret AI outputs, manage complex cases, and provide human insight are becoming more valuable.
Technical Fluency Is a Plus While coding isn’t required, familiarity with legal technology platforms, data tools, and even AI prompting is starting to influence hiring decisions. Candidates who understand how to collaborate with AI are seen as more adaptable and future-ready.
Practice Areas Seeing the Most Change
Corporate/M&A: Due diligence is increasingly AI-assisted, so firms want associates who can evaluate and explain flagged risks.
Litigation: AI speeds up motion drafting and eDiscovery, making strong analysis and argumentation more critical than ever.
IP & Tech Law: Associates with technical backgrounds or knowledge of data, AI, and software law are in growing demand.
In conclusion, as AI becomes a core part of legal work, law firms are adjusting their hiring criteria. They’re looking for associate attorneys who bring more than legal knowledge — they want professionals who can work alongside AI, think strategically, and deliver value that technology alone can’t.

Created By: Dalton Breshears