Report: robots could eliminate need for most lawyers

Foxnews.com ^ | Matt Cantor

[RoosterRedux]

A new report looks at the state of the legal profession in 2030, and it doesn't look too pretty as far as employment is concerned, io9 reports.

"It is no longer unrealistic to consider that workplace robots and their AI processing systems could reach the point of general production by 2030," the report, by Jomati Consultants, says.

And those robots could eventually "do the work of a dozen low-level associates. They would not get tired. They would not seek advancement (or) pay rises." A firm's upper echelons would still be populated by actual human lawyers, but the need for associates would shrink dramatically.

As such, legal firms could see a "structural collapse," Legal Futures reports. Those in the top rungs of firms would offer "real understanding and human insight" to clients, the report says, and it suggests that because the top partners of 2030 are currently in their 30s, they're likely to push the AI business model.

All these changes will apply most to "very large, high-value commercial firms," whereas smaller, specialist firms might see less of an impact, the report finds. Artificial intelligence has already had a big effect on law firms, as the New York Times reported in 2011.

[jsanders2001]

> What’s the difference between a dead possum in the road and a dead lawyer in the road? You see skid marks in front of the possum.

LOL

[jsanders2001]

> Who programs the robot lawyers?

One of Soros companies when he become immortal Transcendence style...

[AmericanVictory]

If the trend continued by the Great Pretender and Holder of outcomes based on identity and status rather than evidence continues it’s a distinct possibility. It worked for the Great Pretender in the eligibility cases. When your status enables you to replace the rule of law with the rule of ridicule the rule of law is gone.

[Fast Moving Angel]

Hmm ... they’re talking about the robots replacing associate attorneys but not paralegals. Wonder what that means ;-)

[faithhopecharity]

Well the public screwls don’t teach Shakespeare anymore ( or the Bible, or even the Book of Mormon — all of which had a few words to say about lawyers. Ha!) - so lawyers are now unnecessary I guess We’ll just let your robot and my robot duke it out in the back alley. Probably will achieve more Justice anyway

[right way right]

I thought paralegals is two lawyers.

[driftdiver]

“Robots Could Replace Most Lawyers”

Why would you want to kill a bunch of robots?

[ClearCase_guy]

Asimov:

1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2) A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

Robot Lawyer would be a problem starting at Law #1.

[RicocheT]

Whoever did this report does not understand how big commercial law firms work. A firm’s upper echelons lawyers do no work. These partners are rain makers who seek business clients and once found stroke the client to keep the client as a paying customer.

The partners bill the client work at an inflated partner rate, but the actual work is done by overworked associates and paralegals paid at much lower rates. Associates put up with this abuse thinking they have a shot at becoming partner, but few will. Big firms keep a few well paid litigators on staff in case a matter goes to trial, but few will.

Robots as associates or paralegal form fillers could do a lot of associate duties, but partners would have to actually do some real work on client files. Oh the horror, the big firm charade would collapse.

[Rockpile]

The obvious use for robots is sitting at a desk in front of a camera reading the news.

[logi_cal869]

This is hilariously ironic to me.

I ‘just’ make a similar statement in a conversation with a friend only a couple of weeks ago.

I don’t see the downside...so long as it includes lower court judges, too.

[yldstrk]

what you want a computer to do your case? Guess again

[yldstrk]

Yes, the obama administration can program the software to apply the laws the way they see fit instead of the way the various legislative bodies intended..........

[Intolerant in NJ]

It’s a good beginning....

[a fool in paradise]

And a paradox is two physicians.

[glock rocks]

Golden retrievers could eliminate the need for most lawyers.

[Bender2]

Re: Hey Bender do you want be lawyer

Was once in Law School... a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away and took a Constitutional Law Class what was a bitch with a prof that was hard as nails and he pushed his particular brand of 'Living Constitution the Founding Father Really Wanted in their Hearts & Minds Liberal Bull Hockey.' Worked my shiny metal ass off saying things I truly did not believe nor agree with for an eventual 'C' but the point of this story is the last question on the class final.

"How has the class influenced your life?"

My answer was it made me decide I did not really want to spend another 2 and one-half years of this BS to be a lawyer.

Well-- That's not really true what I answered. I did think that but I wrote a bunch of flowery Liberal Clap Trap to get me a passing grade.

Yet I did quit Law School right after that and took up full-time saloon keeping, virgin converting and movie starring.

Gadzooks, I know it ain't much-- But it got... me here!

[SevenofNine]

You know what Bender you have more sense than human lawyer

Beside only bad part of your thinking your Cowpokes fan LOL!

Hey I am Raider fan so I could talk about my logical mind

BTW my cousin was troll one of Patriots fan messageboard out of it LOL! her team Chargers play on Sunday night football

[hal ogen]

My pet schnauzer could eliminate a couple attorneys, at least.

[Bender2]

Re: only bad part of your thinking your Cowpokes fan

Gadzooks, cut me some slack, Seven-- I didn't start watching football until I was 10... and then became a Baltimore Colt-- Johnny Unitas, Lenny Moore, Raymond Berry, Alan Ameche, Art Donovan-- FAN!!!!

My late Father made a point of telling me about the Colts... being a later version of the 1952 Dallas Texans. He was a Colts fans also until the Cowboys came along.

And the rest they say... is history!