header-logo header-logo

Law in 2025

17 March 2025
Issue: 8109 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
printer mail-detail
Ten years from now law firms will place more value on human traits such as empathy and other soft skills, according to 78% of heads of legal at global companies

The Simmons & Simmons survey of 500 top corporate counsel, ‘Law firm of the future’, published last week, found 77% predict the desired skillset for lawyers will transform, with more demand for multidisciplinary skills such as technological proficiency alongside legal expertise.

More than four out of five agreed law firms will become more wellbeing focused within the decade—both for their clients and employees. Some 74% predict disruption to services and pricing due to technological advances, and 75% said they expect tech to act as a force for good, for example, by opening up access to law for under-served communities.

Simmons & Simmons’ senior partner Julian Taylor said: ‘It’s clear the profession is on the cusp of a deep transformation.’

Issue: 8109 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Bridget Tatham, Forum of Insurance Lawyers

NLJ Career Profile: Bridget Tatham, Forum of Insurance Lawyers

Bridget Tatham, partner at Browne Jacobson and 2026 president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, highlights the importance of hard work, ambition and seizing opportunities

Gibson Dunn—London partner promotions

Gibson Dunn—London partner promotions

Firm grows international bench with expanded UK partner class

Shakespeare Martineau—six appointments

Shakespeare Martineau—six appointments

Firm makes major statement in the capital with strategic growth at The Shard

NEWS
One in five in-house lawyers suffer ‘high’ or ‘severe’ work-related stress, according to a report by global legal body, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
The Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO’s) plea for a budget increase has been rejected by the Law Society and accepted only ‘with reluctance’ by conveyancers
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
back-to-top-scroll