AI and Lawyers: Rethinking Value to Clients

The rise of AI has caused much thinking in the legal profession in Singapore.

The Chief Justice said AI would change the way lawyers work and are trained.

New lawyers worry about their jobs due to AI. Many new lawyers want to leave the profession within three years.

AI tools are getting better and can do tasks like contract reviews and writing legal briefs.

A new AI tool called Claude Legal had a big impact on the stock market.

Claude Legal is one of many AI tools that can do a lawyer's work. Clients are using AI to give instructions and sometimes replace lawyers.

AI tools can make mistakes and cannot be fully trusted. Lawyers are better at checking and analyzing cases.

A man used fake cases he found on ChatGPT in a court case. He admitted this when the judge asked him.

Lawyers also use AI and can make mistakes. Two lawyers were fined for using fake cases in a court submission.

Lawyers keep client information secret, which AI tools cannot do. A US judge ruled that AI chats are not private.

Information shared with a chatbot may not be private. Clients should be careful what they share.

The saying 'email like it will one day be read in court' also applies to AI chatbots.

Human lawyers have qualities that AI chatbots do not, like intuition and judgment.

A lawyer can give input and insight beyond what a client says. A skilled lawyer can sense when a client is not being honest.

The Attorney-General said AI can answer questions but cannot tell when you are asking the wrong question.

A chatbot can only be a tool, not a trusted adviser.

Clients and lawyers should not ignore AI. AI tools can help clients prepare for meetings with lawyers.

AI can help clients think more clearly about legal issues. Clients can use AI to focus and frame questions for lawyers.

Clients should see AI tools as just tools. They will not replace a trusted lawyer, especially in complex cases.

By using AI as an assistant, clients can have better conversations with their lawyers.

The rise of AI should make lawyers think about what value they provide to clients. Lawyers need to excel at soft skills like client management.

A lawyer's judgment and intuition will become more valuable with AI. Clients will seek what AI tools cannot provide.

Legal education and training need to change with the times. Junior lawyers need practical skills and work experience.

Every big technological change forces us to rethink how we work. AI is no exception.

Mark Yeo is a Director at Fortress Law Corporation and was a Deputy Public Prosecutor.

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