Big Law, As We Have Known It, Could Be on Short Time - What About if the Apple Types Acquire the Cravaths, Skaddens and Paul Weisses

“Big Law has been a super profitable business, using people to deliver complex legal solutions. [Now], we have a proper tool that enables the delivery of these solutions at scale.” - Told by Pinesent Mason partner Alastair Morrison to Financial Times, September 2023

Generative AI would facilitate feeding in the data related to all the variables associated with the cases. The next step would be an automated interpretation. And out would come the solutions. Sure there will still be a need for those brilliant legal minds which put together strategy. But there will be fewer of them and the traditional model of the law firm will be scrapped. Morrison further observes:

• Lawyers will collaborate with giant technology firms
• Billing will be computed based on value, not hours
• Everyone in the firm has to become adept with advanced AI
• There will evolve new models
• The culture will mutate
• The major reward goodies will be restructured to be distributed beyond the partner system.

In the real estate practice of BCLP it's predicted that 60% to 70% of the current jobs could be eliminated. 

Meanwhile right now members of the Class of 2023 are coming aboard, at least if their start date has not been delayed. That annual ritual could become an anachronism. Out could go the pyramid model of the law firm with lots of associates at the bottom. Instead the structure could consist of some partners overseeing myriad technological processes which are delivered as legal solutions. 

Of course, there are huge implications for law schools. Legal education and training could become something radically different and only open to a few. 

But all that change laid out in the Financial Times article might not be a bold enough vision. It is not impossible that the legal firm we know it today could be acquired by a major technology corporation. 

There would no longer be partners or associates. They would shift their roles to just being employees, some of whom would be executives, of course. Cravath, Skadden and Paul Weiss could be bought out by an Apple, Google or Microsoft. Compensation, authority, power and influence would all mutate. Legal solutions would indeed be collaborative.  They could be positioned and packaged by the marketing departments as high-end products. 

Meanwhile, over at Dentons there has already been the reach beyond law per se to consulting services such as public affairs. That line of business is growing. 

Data or the gut for your careers and communications? Both of course. Complimentary consultation with intuitive coach, content-creator, and Tarot reader Jane Genova (text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com).