A study was recently published on what makes a great lawyer in the age of artificial intelligence. The study suggested that a great lawyer, historically, was someone who had a strong memory, vast experience in a field and a sterling education. The distance runner rather than the sprinter. With the advent of artificial intelligence and digital solutions, the study’s thesis was that attorneys will be able to, now, perform as top-level lawyers without the necessity to harness vast stores of historical information and sterling powers of memorization and training. Essentially, automation and artificial intelligence have the ability to serve as lawyer equalizers.  Today, and certainly in the future, the study posited, attorneys will be able to run fast and win (the case, the client, etc.).

Whether one agrees with the study’s conclusions about the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession or not, there can be no doubt that the combination of the COVID-19 crisis and the digital age has put enormous pressures on attorneys to transform. Replicating past ways of practice and historical delivery models are out of sync with the current environment. Technological advancements and the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic have altered, perhaps permanently, the key skill sets necessary for success in today’s legal environment. Three key attributes of the future lawyer in the digital age are described below.

Adaptability