For something that has exhibited such staying power, the legal industry seems to enjoy regularly forecasting the demise of the billable hour. Time and again, people have predicted the its death, only to see it continue on without even a significant wound. And with every new technological advancement in the legal industry, someone exoects that law firm business models will finally change. 

Generative AI is the latest development being pitted head-to-head with the billable hour, with many thinking or hoping that this time will be different. Whether that will be true remains to be seen.