Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
Firm hiring of associates with AI experience up 106% since last year, new report says
Law firms are increasingly looking for lateral attorneys who have experience with artificial intelligence, according to a new report from SurePoint Technologies. (Illustration from Shutterstock)
Law firms are increasingly looking for lateral attorneys who have experience with artificial intelligence, according to a new report from SurePoint Technologies.
The Texas-based software company’s 2025 State of the Legal Industry report found that lateral hiring within the specialty of AI increased 68% across all attorneys in Am Law 200 firms. While associates showed a year-over-year increase of 106%, partners experienced a significant increase at 53%. Counsels also had a healthy increase of 44%.
“It’s not a formal practice area in many firms (yet), but as law firms look to bolster their internal capability and outward marketability in artificial intelligence, they are recruiting more lateral attorneys with this expertise,” according to the report.
For its report, SurePoint Technologies surveyed more than 200 legal professionals from midsize firms and analyzed hiring data from a range of firms, including Am Law 200 firms.
Among its other findings, it shows that midsize firms are “bullish” on AI, with 94% expecting the technology to increase their revenue and improve their client service. Seventy percent of midsize firms report using AI to automate document creation, and 60% report using it for email filing. Additionally, 53% use AI for data extraction.
The report also found that 63% of midsize firms have formally adopted AI, and 42% of midsize firms have changed their training to incorporate AI.
Law.com has additional coverage.
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