Will AI Replace Junior Lawyers—or Redefine Their Role?

A recent Fortune article cuts to the heart of a question many in legal are quietly asking: as tools like Harvey become more capable, what happens to the junior lawyer?

The short answer? It depends on what we choose to value.

Harvey and other legal AI platforms are quickly becoming fluent in tasks traditionally handled by associates — case summarization, contract analysis, even drafting. These aren’t just productivity tools anymore; they’re reshaping workflows. But rather than declare the death of the junior associate, this moment invites a reframing: what should the entry point to legal practice actually be?

Historically, junior lawyers spent countless hours on repetitive tasks as a rite of passage. But if AI can absorb that work, there’s a chance to accelerate meaningful development — more strategic thinking, client interaction, and judgment-building earlier in a career. Of course, that only works if law firms and legal departments invest in that shift. Otherwise, AI just becomes a cost-cutting measure and talent pipeline risk.

For in-house teams, this change is even more immediate. We’re already leaning on leaner teams and expecting more from our tools. But we must also ask: are we mentoring the next generation, or just outsourcing the ladder they were supposed to climb?

The future of junior legal talent isn’t written by AI. It’s shaped by how we integrate it.

Full article: https://fortune.com/2025/05/09/ai-legal-tool-harvey-junior-lawyers-careers/

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