Ropes & Gray Ends World Cup–Style AI Contest for Junior Lawyers
Ropes & Gray concluded a World Cup–style AI competition for junior lawyers on July 13, 2026.
Why it matters: This initiative highlights how BigLaw firms are innovating legal talent development with AI training, fostering skills crucial for future legal workflows and client service.
- The AI competition paired summer associates with first-year associates to collaborate on legal AI solutions.
- Over 170 summer associates participated in AI training in 2025 as part of Ropes & Gray's earlier programs.
- The 'TrAIlblazers' program lets first-year associates spend 20% of billable time on AI training and experimentation.
- The competition concluded Monday, July 13, 2026, reflecting ongoing AI integration in legal practices.
Ropes & Gray recently wrapped up a World Cup–style knockout AI competition designed to pair summer associates with first-year associates, challenging them to collaboratively develop AI-powered solutions for legal workflows. This competition concluded on Monday, July 13, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the firm's continuing commitment to advancing AI skills among its junior lawyers. Details on the competition illustrate how the firm is fostering innovative, teamwork-driven legal tech applications early in its talent pipeline.
Ropes & Gray's AI talent development efforts date back to 2025 when it integrated generative AI training into its summer associate program, engaging more than 170 summer associates in hands-on experience with cutting-edge legal AI platforms. The firm also launched the 'TrAIlblazers' program in November 2025, allocating 20% of first-year associates' billable hours specifically for AI training and experimentation. This structured time helps them build comfort and creativity with AI tools, preparing associates to meet client needs more efficiently and effectively. Summer associate AI training insights and details on the TrAIlblazers program show the firm's strategy to embed AI deep into its culture.
Senior Counsel Edward Black underscores the cultural shift underway, noting, "The big change isn't so much a technology change as it is a cultural change," emphasizing that "this is where the market is moving." Jane Rogers, Co-head of the Finance Practice, highlights the goal "to empower [associates] to have the time to spend to learn the tools," while Amy Ross, Chief of Attorney Talent, stresses the importance of encouraging lawyers "to think about another way, or a more creative way, to do something that they're being asked to do." These insights frame Ropes & Gray’s AI efforts as foundational to future legal innovation and attorney development. Firm AI practice overview.
By the numbers:
- 170+ summer associates participated in AI training in 2025
- 20% of first-year associates' billable time dedicated to AI under 'TrAIlblazers'
- July 13, 2026 — date the AI competition concluded