Practice groups most/least vulnerable to automation Forum

[RedNewJersey]

I'm so proud of TLS for out-trolling the "bUT cAn YOU SaY WHat Tax LaWyERs DO??!" guy. 180.

On a more serious note, I think most of what litigators do can be automated in the long run (legal research and writing, factual development, document review, deposition prep). The issue is, it's not clear that it actually will displace any lawyers, because lowering the cost of litigating will either induce attorneys to up the quality, or induce parties to be more litigious (since it's cheaper, so you can bring more marginal cases). It's like more efficient appliances: water heaters, ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators are tremendously more efficient, but we use just as much energy. That's because households respond to the lower cost and higher quality by more intense usage. The same, I predict, will happen for litigators: greater efficiency, greater use, little employment change.

[Antetrust]

I'm so proud of TLS for out-trolling the "bUT cAn YOU SaY WHat Tax LaWyERs DO??!" guy. 180.

On a more serious note, I think most of what litigators do can be automated in the long run (legal research and writing, factual development, document review, deposition prep). The issue is, it's not clear that it actually will displace any lawyers, because lowering the cost of litigating will either induce attorneys to up the quality, or induce parties to be more litigious (since it's cheaper, so you can bring more marginal cases). It's like more efficient appliances: water heaters, ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators are tremendously more efficient, but we use just as much energy. That's because households respond to the lower cost and higher quality by more intense usage. The same, I predict, will happen for litigators: greater efficiency, greater use, little employment change.

This is a great point!

[12YrsAnAssociate]

I wish ChatGpT would hurry up and figure out a way to deal with my dick head opposing counsel that constantly invents stupid emergencies to get in front of the court.

[Bosque]

I'm so proud of TLS for out-trolling the "bUT cAn YOU SaY WHat Tax LaWyERs DO??!" guy. 180.

On a more serious note, I think most of what litigators do can be automated in the long run (legal research and writing, factual development, document review, deposition prep). The issue is, it's not clear that it actually will displace any lawyers, because lowering the cost of litigating will either induce attorneys to up the quality, or induce parties to be more litigious (since it's cheaper, so you can bring more marginal cases). It's like more efficient appliances: water heaters, ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators are tremendously more efficient, but we use just as much energy. That's because households respond to the lower cost and higher quality by more intense usage. The same, I predict, will happen for litigators: greater efficiency, greater use, little employment change.

I agree with the idea (contrary to some people's assumptions) that even litigation can be largely automated through AI. But while I think the utilities analogy is an interesting thought, I don't think it applies. People use more of the dishwasher/water heater/oven because the outcome makes their lives easier. One person is making a decision, and that one person only sees a positive result. So, of course as the good gets cheaper (i.e., easier and more efficient to use), they use it more, thats simple supply and demand.

Litigation is not at all the same, because it by its nature is adversarial, and almost always zero sum. Regardless of how easy it is to access, one player wins, and one player loses, usually in equal measure (i.e., zero sum, no action increases the pot). And even if you win, there are negative externalities that automation would never get rid of. For example, say litigation was super easy and you could sue your dry cleaner for messing up your suit. Even if you win, the other dry cleaners may treat you less favorably because they don't want your business, due to your litigious reputation.

Which is to say, I don't think increased usage from decreasing the cost of litigation would be dragged down by these factors, and I doubt would offset the effects of AI.