Top Firms Detail Skills New Lawyers Need in AI-Powered Practice
Leading firms outline AI fluency and human skills new lawyers must master post-2025.
Why it matters: Law firms and legal recruiters must adapt hiring and training to equip lawyers with AI competencies and critical human skills essential in AI-enhanced legal work.
- PLI's 2026 AI competency framework defines five pillars lawyers should master: AI Fluency, AI-Enhanced Legal Work, Critical Oversight, Ethical AI Governance, and Professional Evolution.
- 26% of legal professionals used generative AI in 2025, nearly doubling from 14% in 2024, per Thomson Reuters.
- 95% of legal department leaders and 85% of law firm leaders are using or implementing AI tools, with 89% increasing AI investment, according to Robert Half.
- Over 80% of legal teams have access to AI tools but under one-third feel confident using them, based on Factor's 2026 training of 3,000 lawyers.
The integration of artificial intelligence into the legal profession is reshaping expectations for new lawyers. The Practising Law Institute (PLI) launched an industry-first competency framework in May 2026, highlighting five essential skills areas lawyers need for an AI-augmented future: AI Fluency, AI-Enhanced Legal Work, Critical Oversight, Ethical AI Governance, and Professional Evolution (PLI framework).
A 2025 Thomson Reuters report revealed that 26% of legal professionals used generative AI tools at work—nearly double the 14% reported in 2024—underscoring rapidly growing AI adoption in everyday legal tasks (Thomson Reuters). Meanwhile, Robert Half's 2026 research shows that 95% of legal department leaders and 85% of law firm leaders are deploying AI-enabled software, with 89% increasing their AI investments (Robert Half).
Despite widespread access to AI tools—over 80% among legal teams—less than a third of lawyers feel very confident using them, as shown in a 2026 training initiative by Factor involving 3,000 lawyers (Factor). This highlights a gap between AI availability and proficiency.
Experts emphasize the blend of technology fluency with human skills as crucial. Jim Moser of the University of Law notes that critical thinking, emotional intelligence, strategic advisory, and client relationship management remain areas where humans outperform AI (BCL Legal). Jodie Hill from Thrive Law echoes this, underscoring that routine tasks will be streamlined by AI but adaptability and problem-solving are indispensable.
Daniela Korn of Tan Ward adds that proficiency with legal research platforms, document automation, and e-discovery tools is becoming standard for new lawyers (BCL Legal). As AI reshapes legal workflows, firms must intensify training and revise hiring criteria to include these competencies.
By the numbers:
- 26% — legal professionals using generative AI in 2025, up from 14% in 2024
- 95% — legal department leaders using or implementing AI-enabled software
- 80%+ — legal teams with access to AI tools, but under 33% feel very confident using them
Yes, but: Despite growing AI adoption, confidence among lawyers in using AI tools remains low, signaling a need for enhanced training.
What's next: Law firms are expected to develop targeted AI training programs and update hiring practices to prioritize AI and human skill integration for new lawyers.