Extract from Dylan Ruga’s article “The Client’s Mandate: AI, Value and the Remaking of Legal Practice”
Forget the sensational headlines about robot lawyers. The real force propelling AI into the heart of legal work isn’t technological wizardry for its own sake; it’s clients’ increasingly clear and firm expectations. When they see a junior lawyer accomplish weeks of merger due diligence in a matter of days, enabled by AI, a fundamental question arises: “Why isn’t this speed and efficiency reflected in how I’m billed for other legal services?” The traditional billable hour, a model that inherently rewards the time spent on a task, is now facing a direct challenge from clients who are witnessing the art of the possible.
Consider the frank discussions happening in firms today: Generative AI can now handle tasks once routinely assigned to junior associates—initial document drafting and preliminary legal research. The client’s logical response cuts to the core of the matter: “If AI can perform this work efficiently, why am I paying a premium for an associate to do the same, only slower?” It isn’t simply about seeking the lowest cost; it’s about a sophisticated understanding of value in an age where technology offers exponential gains in efficiency. The worry within the profession about the potential decline of billable hours isn’t misplaced but perhaps misfocused. The conversation shouldn’t center on preserving an outdated model but embracing the opportunity to redefine and demonstrate value in a tech-driven landscape.
