Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night [Dylan Thomas]

What will the legal industry be like in 10 years?

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night [Dylan Thomas]

Almost 10 years ago when High Performance Counsel (HPC) and the now infamous persona @hipcounsel #hipcounsel was launched, we didn't have the option of asking our new BFF #ChatGPT what the legal industry would become in the ensuing decade - we had to figure that out for ourselves and share our thoughts with a few thousand friends in the industry around the world.

This week, we asked #ChatGPT what it had to say about the situation.

Of course, the spoiler alert here is that there is a lot of change ahead - some good, some opportune and plenty that is a long time coming. Whether that is good news will depend on your particular circumstances and outlook.

As King Canute evidenced, the tide will turn - and return - regardless. It is beyond the strength or willpower of any one individual to harness the forces of change. Better therefore to go with change, than fight it.

For those who only view the future of the legal industry with dread, we offer the words of Dylan Thomas: "Do not go gentle into that good night."

Embrace it, go with it, enjoy the ride - this is where the magic happens.

So here's what ChatGPT says:

Predicting the future with certainty is difficult, but based on current trends and advancements, the legal industry is likely to undergo several significant changes over the next 10 years. Some potential developments include:

Technology Integration: The legal industry will likely continue to adopt and integrate various technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and natural language processing. These technologies can automate repetitive tasks, improve legal research, contract analysis, and streamline administrative processes, making legal services more efficient.

Virtual Law Firms: With the rise of remote work and advancements in communication technology, virtual law firms may become more prevalent. These firms operate entirely online, allowing lawyers to work from anywhere and provide legal services to clients globally.

Blockchain in Law: Blockchain technology can enhance the security and transparency of legal transactions and contracts. Smart contracts, self-executing agreements built on blockchain, may become more widely used, reducing the need for intermediaries in certain legal matters.

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Focus: As digital interactions and data sharing become more prominent, there will be an increased demand for legal professionals with expertise in data privacy and cybersecurity. The legal industry will play a crucial role in addressing emerging legal challenges related to data protection.

Legal Analytics and Predictive Modeling: Legal analytics and predictive modeling will become more prevalent, enabling lawyers to make data-driven decisions, anticipate case outcomes, and assess risks more accurately.

Rise of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR): ODR platforms will likely gain popularity for resolving disputes efficiently and cost-effectively, especially in cases involving e-commerce, online contracts, and international disputes.

Ethical and Regulatory Considerations: As technology advances, the legal industry will face ethical and regulatory challenges, including concerns related to data privacy, AI bias, and the use of autonomous systems in legal decision-making.

Flexible Billing Models: Traditional hourly billing may face competition from alternative billing models, such as flat fees, subscription-based services, or performance-based billing, to provide clients with more predictable and transparent pricing.

Diversity and Inclusion: There will likely be a greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion within the legal industry, with increased efforts to create more inclusive workplaces and representation at all levels.

Environmental and Sustainability Law: With growing awareness of environmental issues, there may be an increased demand for legal professionals specializing in environmental and sustainability law, including areas like climate change mitigation and renewable energy.

Overall, the legal industry is expected to evolve and adapt to technological advancements and societal changes, transforming the way legal services are delivered and addressing emerging legal challenges in the digital age.

So..

I'm curious what your thoughts are.

Personally, I think ChatGPT's response is quite a reasoned, balanced perspective with good insights on mechanical, if not philosophical, change. There is clearly no shortage of work for lawyers to take on in a AI-driven industry.

My strongest criticism - and others will say it is simply how the question was asked - is that it failed to speak adequately to the ethical, creative and leadership qualities that will be required of individuals and organizations alike in this new world. For better or for worse, AI will place a lot of focus on the actions of the individual and the organizations they serve or support. And a lot of people are going to be watching.

In my view there will be an increase in work being undertaken internationally - a further devolution to global sourcing cross-border multi-shore modeling. Related, on a global level, we are already seeing a macro shift in size and complexity of markets such as India and China. With tech and devolution, lawyers will never be far behind in tapping new opportunity in these "emerging markets".

Intellectual Property (IP) law will be a hot ticket - beyond moving to the cloud, adoption of AI represents and entirely new galaxy of both commercial opportunities and risks. And as almost every news headline reports on climate change and a shift to EV's, it's a safe bet that the "green law" category will become huge.

Overall, I think ChatGPT's assessment perhaps lacks the sense of juxtaposition already afoot in the industry between the opportunity on the one hand and the inevitable demise that the future represents, depending of course on whose perspective you take.

AI, for better or worse, is shaking things up on both the client and provider side of the table. With every day passing and consumers - individuals and corporations becoming more aware and more savvy - the bar rises for legal practitioners on the quality, efficiency and pricing of outcomes.

Bottom line, in my view, law has finally emerged into an outcome economy - with AI as the final nudge over the edge into a veritable freefall of wonderment mixed with raw fear. It's way too early to know quite how all this plays out fully but with #ChatGPT as our guide, what could possibly go wrong..? etc.

So what do YOU think?

David Kinnear (DK)

#hipcounsel