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Training Legal Professionals for an AI-driven Future

Artificial intelligence is transforming legal work, but it’s not here to replace lawyers. Instead, it’s important to think of AI as a powerful tool that can handle time-consuming administrative tasks, freeing up legal professionals to focus on complex and strategic work – if they know how to use it well. By embracing AI training, lawyers can enhance their efficiency, provide better client service, and future-proof their careers. 

In this article, we’ll explore why training lawyers for AI is important, the essential skills they need, and how to ensure effective training outcomes for your practice. 

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5 min

Written by Louise Hodkiss, Learning Content Lead.

Updated 10/11/2025

  1. Why training is essential for lawyers
  2. Key skills lawyers need to effectively use AI
  3. Training methods for legal professionals
  4. Overcoming barriers to AI training
  5. The long-term benefits of training lawyers for AI
  6. Next steps: Equip your firm for an AI-driven future

Why training is essential for lawyers

Adapting to AI has become essential for legal firms, and those that fail to give legal professionals AI skills risk falling behind.  Without proper training, firms risk inefficiency and missed opportunities, while competitors who invest in training lawyers for AI gain a significant advantage. 

Resistance to change and a lack of understanding are key reasons why some law firms struggle with AI adoption. Lawyers, who are traditionally trained in legal reasoning rather than technology, may find the concept of AI integration daunting. However, by teaching them the benefits of AI, you can empower them to embrace the technology confidently, allowing them to leverage these tools for increased efficiency, accuracy and better decision making. 

Key skills lawyers need to effectively use AI 

As AI becomes more integrated into legal work, lawyers must develop a mix of technical and analytical skills to use these tools effectively. Developing legal professionals’ AI skills involves understanding how AI functions work, when to rely on it, and how to interpret its outputs. 

Basic understanding of AI 

AI lawyers don’t need to be coders, but they should understand how AI tools work and how they apply to legal tasks. Knowing AI’s capabilities and limitations helps legal professionals to use these tools effectively without over reliance.

Tech-savviness 

Familiarity with legal tools is crucial, and many firms already use contract review systems, e-discovery platforms and AI-driven research tools. Lawyers who understand these technologies can work more efficiently with AI and deliver faster results for clients. 

Data literacy 

Lawyers must be able to interpret data from AI-generated reports, identify patterns, and make informed legal decisions based on these insights. Developing legal professionals’ AI skills allow firms to benefit from the speed and scale of AI’s ability to analyse vast amounts of data. 

Critical thinking 

While AI can assist with legal research and document drafting, human judgement remains essential. Lawyers must critically assess AI-generated outputs to ensure accuracy, ethical compliance and relevance to their cases. 

Cybersecurity awareness 

Using AI in legal practice comes with data security risks. Lawyers must be mindful of best practices, such as avoiding the use of real client data with open-source AI models like ChatGPT and using secure, private AI solutions instead. Our guide to risk-free AI use is an essential resource for AI lawyers. 

Training methods for legal professionals

 Law firms need a structured approach to AI training, ensuring that lawyers at all levels can develop confidence in using these tools. Training should be practical, hands-on, and tailored to the specific needs of legal professionals. Here are some of the core options available for training lawyers for AI. 

Online courses and certifications 

Many universities and legal tech providers offer courses on AI’s applications in law. Coursera, edX, and platforms like FutureLearn provide accessible training for professionals looking to upskill. Some law firms also develop in-house training programmes to ensure that AI education aligns with their specific workflows. 

Workshops and seminars 

Live training sessions allow lawyers to see AI tools in action, ask questions and gain practical experience. Law firms can invite AI experts to conduct training on case-specific applications, ensuring relevance to day-to-day legal tasks. 

AI tool-specific training 

Working directly with AI solution providers can accelerate learning. Hands-on training with tools like contract review software or predictive analytics systems ensures that AI lawyers understand how to use them effectively. These partnerships often include ongoing support and updates as the technology evolves. 

Mentorship and peer learning 

Encouraging knowledge sharing within a firm fosters collaboration and speeds up AI adoption. Senior lawyers with experience in AI applications can mentor junior colleagues, and firms can create internal AI champions to guide teams in best practices. Learning from peers helps to integrate AI into daily workflows in a practical, accessible way. 

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Overcoming barriers to AI training 

Despite its benefits, AI training is often met with resistance. Firms must proactively address these concerns, making sure that AI learning is manageable and demonstrating its value. Let’s explore how to overcome barriers to AI training and support long-term career growth. 

Addressing concerns 

Common concerns about AI training include cost, time investment and complexity. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh these challenges. Training can be phased to minimise disruption, and by focusing on key areas first, such as compliance or data analysis, firms can quickly realise tangible improvements in efficiency. 

Continuous professional development 

AI is constantly evolving. Firms should treat training as an ongoing process rather than a one-off event. Regular updates and refresher courses ensure that AI lawyers stay up to date with the latest developments. This continuous learning approach helps to maintain a competitive edge and ensures that the firm’s AI integration remains relevant and effective over time. 

Building a culture of innovation 

Firms that prioritise AI training encourage a forward-thinking mindset. By embracing AI as a valuable tool rather than a threat, they create an environment where innovation and efficiency thrive. This proactive approach not only enhances current operations but also positions the firm for future growth, ensuring it stays competitive in an increasingly tech-driven legal sector. 

The long-term benefits of training lawyers for an AI-driven future

Investing in AI training delivers substantial long-term rewards for legal professionals and their firms. As AI continues to shape the legal sector, those who embrace it will be better equipped to handle growing client demands, improve efficiency, and stay ahead of the competition. Let’s explore these benefits in more detail. 

Increased efficiency 

By automating time-consuming tasks like document review and legal research, AI allows lawyers to focus on strategic, high-value work. This leads to faster case resolutions and reduced operational costs for firms. AI training ensures that lawyers can use these tools correctly, maximising efficiency without compromising on quality. 

Improved decision making 

AI’s ability to process vast amounts of legal data helps lawyers make informed, data-driven decisions. AI-powered analytics can highlight case trends, predict outcomes and identify risks, giving firms a competitive advantage. However, lawyers need training to interpret AI-generated insights critically, ensuring that they’re applied effectively. 

Competitive advantage 

Law firms that invest in training lawyers for AI gain a strategic edge. Clients are increasingly looking for efficiency and innovation, and firms that leverage AI effectively can offer more competitive services. AI-savvy legal teams are better positioned to attract new business and retain existing clients as the sector continues to develop. 

Career growth 

A proficient AI lawyer will stand out in the job market. As AI continues to reshape the legal sector, firms will prioritise professionals who can integrate these tools into their practice. Training ensures that lawyers stay relevant, opening doors to leadership roles and specialised AI-driven legal work in the future. 

Next steps: Equip your firm for an AI-driven future 

The success of AI in legal practice depends on how well lawyers are trained to use it. By training lawyers for AI, firms can ensure that they stay competitive, deliver better client outcomes, and future-proof their workforce. 

If you’re ready to embrace AI-powered tools in your firm, take a look at our AI content hub, where you’ll find lots of useful resources about the use of these tools in the legal sector. If you’ve still got questions, feel free to contact our team and we’ll be happy to advise you. 

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