1 Out of 4 Lawyers Want to Quit Over Tech
Lawyers have been talking about artificial intelligence taking their jobs, but now they are talking about leaving those jobs behind.
According to a new survey, nearly one-fourth of attorneys are considering a career change for technology-related reasons. It's a mash-up of concerns, and suggests that legal tech isn't quite doing the job they expected. Many lawyers surveyed said their tech has not been designed with their law firms in mind. Either that, or it just doesn't fit their needs.
AI Minuses
Intapp, a provider of business applications, announced the results of a survey that found law firm technology "still has a lot of room for improvement." The survey included responses from more than 250 lawyers at firms with 50 or more employees in the United States and the United Kingdom.
According to a press release, the company said:
- 47 percent of the respondents report their law firm's software doesn't fit their needs
- 38 percent of the lawyers believe software hasn't been designed with a law firm in mind
- 24 percent of the attorneys are considering a career change due to tech concerns
In an email to FindLaw, Jerry Schranz explained why the lawyers are thinking about quitting their jobs. It's not the level of work, he wrote. "It's not the type of work," he said. "It's the software."
AI Pluses
It's not all bad news for AI. The survey respondents reported high points, including:
- 53 percent said that AI could help draft legal documents and track billable hours
- 43 percent said it is useful in checking for conflicts
- 34 percent said it helps companies with compliance
As with all things technological, AI is evolving. Many programs are working for law firms. Smart programs already help with patent filings, legal research, and practice management. With help from digital assistants, even solo and small-firm lawyers can get in on the AI action.
Amazon's Alexa, for example, can make research, writing, and even billing easier. At about $40 for the entry-level digital assistant, that's a pretty cheap hire.
Related Resources:
- Amazon's Alexa Now HIPAA Compliant! (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Future of Hiring With Talent-Acquisition Technology (FindLaw's Technologist)
- GPS Ankle Monitors Can Record Calls Without Consent, And? (FindLaw's Technologist)