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Upending the legal industry

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Bernadette Bulacan on how AI is reshaping the sector

The legal industry stands at a pivotal moment for transformation, as AI technologies such as generative AI (gen AI), autonomous agents and large language models have begun reshaping how legal teams operate. From law firms to in-house legal departments, the integration of AI promises to evolve the roles and responsibilities of legal professionals at all levels.

AI is particularly advantageous in the legal sector because deep reasoning and strategic decision-making are highly valued, and established workflows are primed for automation. The Blickstein Group’s latest Law Department Operations survey shows that more than 90% of legal departments will substantially utilise gen AI in the next three years—proof that the sector’s perspective on AI has rapidly progressed beyond early scepticism to mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of legal practice.

AI-specialised professionals

Recent innovations have pushed AI’s capabilities beyond an assistive role into autonomous agents that can take action to support and augment human productivity. As agentic AI becomes ubiquitous, every

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Partner joins commercial property team in Taunton office

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

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