The Oklahoma Bar Journal April 2024

Y oung L awyers D ivision

Embracing Innovation: The Intersection of AI, Young Lawyers and Legal Practice

By Laura R. Talbert

A RTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) is reshaping various fac ets of society, and the legal domain is no exception. In the ever-evolving landscape of legal practice, today’s young lawyers are finding them selves at the intersection of tra ditional legal methodologies and cutting-edge technologies like AI, which presents both opportunities and challenges. As digital natives, young lawyers are well positioned to embrace AI tools and leverage them to enhance their legal prac tice in various ways. One significant aspect of AI’s intersection with young lawyers and practicing law is its potential to streamline routine tasks, increase efficiency and improve access to justice. AI-powered legal research platforms can sift through vast amounts of data, analyze case law and identify relevant precedents much faster than traditional meth ods. This enables young lawyers to focus their time and energy on more strategic and high-value tasks, such as client counseling, negotia tion and courtroom advocacy. Furthermore, AI can serve as a valuable tool for young lawyers to improve the quality of their legal work. By leveraging AI-driven analytics and predictive modeling, young lawyers can gain insights

familiarize themselves with the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies and stay updated on best practices for ethical and responsible use. The utilization of AI tools does not remove a lawyer’s responsibility of maintaining their expertise and judgment. While AI can automate routine tasks and provide valuable insights, it cannot replace the nuanced understand ing of legal principles and the contextual knowledge that human lawyers bring to their practice. Moreover, young lawyers must

into case outcomes, identify potential risks and develop more informed legal strategies. This data driven approach can enhance the effectiveness of legal representation and provide clients with greater confidence in their legal counsel. However, as with any techno logical innovation, the integration of AI into legal practice also pres ents challenges and considerations for lawyers. One such challenge is the need for ongoing education and training to effectively utilize AI tools. Young lawyers must

Paying it forward: OBA YLD members assemble bar exam survival kits containing healthy snacks and stress balls for those who sat for the February exam.

98 | APRIL 2024

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL