Trainee lawyers will develop different skillsets to senior lawyers today as they adapt to the change brought by firms’ growing use of generative AI, experts told the Junior Solicitors Network Summit.
The all-day event, held at CMS London’s offices, covered a range of topics through panels and discussions including resilience, networking, financial wellbeing, and routes to qualification.
Oliver Jeffcott, senior legal technology and innovation manager at top 50 firm Macfarlanes, speaking on the ‘data and tech literacy’, panel said the technology and its accessibility was ‘a pretty exciting time for access to justice as you see small firms have access [to generative technologies]’.
Jeff Wright, director of change and innovation at national firm Foot Anstey, told the audience to ‘not be overwhelmed’ by the changing technological landscape.
He said: ‘Over the years, the profession has changed hugely. A lot of functions the tech is performing is actually targeting some of those [tasks normally performed by juniors], that is the stuff you cut your teeth with. It is taking away those tasks which present a clear and present danger.’
Ella Krikler, Mishcon de Reya’s legal service and product lead, said: ‘I am less worried about people not having skills in 20 years to be able to do something. I just think the skillset of senior lawyers in 20 years will be different and that is not a bad thing.’
Speaking on the ‘resilience in the workplace’ panel, Ester Gamble, a barrister at No5 Barristers Chambers, said ‘bullying and harassment are unbelievably widespread’ in the legal sector despite changing attitudes. She advised junior lawyers to familiarise themselves with their workplace’s procedures and policies and to find out who the ‘go to’ person was.
She added: ‘If you can build at least a bit of a relationship with that person, it will really help you if it comes to a point when you need them. [Also] look after yourself. If you’re stressed and sleep deprived, everything seems worse and anything negative will affect you more.’
Donna Smith, director of Odonnata Growth and Transformation Coaching, said coping techniques which could be used when things at work do not go well include ‘accepting [the cause of stress] for what it is…mine it for the good…[and] let the rest go’.
She added: ‘Celebrate your achievements and I do not mean just the big ones, I mean the little ones, the everyday ones. ‘
Jonathan Watmough, chief executive officer and co-founder of HelpingLawyersThrive, sat on a panel discussing the future legal landscape for juniors. He said the ‘enormous change’ brought by technology made for a ‘wonderful opportunity’.
‘I know a lot of people of my generation of lawyers who would give their left arm to be in your position now. It is going to be really exciting,’ he added.
Speaking of his predictions for the future, Watmough said in-house would continue to grow, wellbeing would continue to be a priority for firms, and technology would help complete ‘mundane’ tasks and allow lawyers to focus on the growing complexities of cases.
