By Laina Chan -
Snapshot
- Legal practice has long relied on trust, relationships and reputation, yet AI is transforming the landscape.
- The potential for AI to automate legal research, drafting and even judicial decision-making raises profound questions about transparency, accountability and bias.
- The human element, including empathy and ethical judgment, remains a cornerstone of justice. The hybrid future of law may depend on achieving a balance between human expertise and AI efficiency.
In legal practice, the selection of a lawyer is rarely arbitrary. It is often grounded in personal recommendations, existing professional relationships, or the lawyer’s reputation for competence and integrity. Trust plays a pivotal role. A client does not just seek technical expertise but reassurance – a feeling that their lawyer will advocate zealously and guide them through complex, often emotionally charged processes.
For example, a corporate client negotiating a high-stakes merger might choose a firm with which they have established trust through years of successful transactions. Similarly, a distressed individual facing a custody dispute will likely rely on a recommendation from a friend or family member who found comfort and resolution with a particular lawyer. In both scenarios, the human element – the ability to empathise, strategise and adapt – is indispensable.
Artificial intelligence (‘AI’), however, operates differently. It promises speed, consistency and data-driven insights but it lacks the emotional intelligence and personal rapport central to human legal counsel. Can AI, a fundamentally impersonal tool, address the complexities of legal practice as well as replicate the trust and relational dynamics foundational to legal practice?
