Key Takeaways from the 2026 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Forum: AI and Legal Recruitment
The 2026 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Forum (ALF) took place in Sydney on the 30th July and brought together practitioners from all corners of the profession for wide-ranging discussion. There was three dedicated streams covering Big Law, corporate counsel, as well as boutique firms and the Bar. The ALF explored the challenges and trends facing the legal profession today.
Karen Horovitz, our Legal Professional Sydney Consultant, had the opportunity to attend the ALF alongside empire group Director of Technology, Andrew Smith. Among the panels they attended, one that was particularly timely was “Resourcing Strategy: Aligning Talent with Demand“.
This session featured a panel of legal industry experts.
- Christine Tran, Partner at Jones Day
- Amber Warren, Australian Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Australasia at Dentons
- Aaron Goonrey, Partner at Pinsent Masons
- Constantine Boulougouris, Partner at MinterEllison
We sat down with Karen to discuss her key takeaways from the panel regarding the future of legal work and recruitment.
How is AI changing legal work?
Technology is changing how lawyers learn and deliver work. While AI is improving efficiency and reallocating time, it does not automatically create productivity. The consensus was that clients are not simply seeking faster responses, they want better answers, stronger judgement, and deeper expertise.
Why will legal expertise remain critical in an AI-enabled future?
The rapid evolvement of technology and AI allows clients to increasingly access information themselves. However, this now means the value of lawyers lies in interpretation, strategic advice and judgement. The deep technical and specialist expertise of lawyers remains highly sought after as AI cannot easily replicate nuanced legal judgement.
How is AI affecting Junior Lawyer training?
The traditional training pathways for legal practitioners are being disrupted. A recurring theme of the panel was the challenge of developing junior lawyers in an environment where AI is increasingly undertaking tasks that traditionally formed the foundation of legal training. Firms must rethink how junior lawyers develop into technical experts and future partners.
What do clients really want from their lawyers?
Clients want better answers faster, not simply faster answers. Responsiveness remains important but commercial understanding and client care are key differentiators.
What skills are important for Young Lawyers to succeed in this new AI era?
The discussion highlighted a growing shortage of communication and client relationship skills among younger lawyers, reinforcing the importance of commerciality, responsiveness and client care. Participants stressed that legal expertise alone is no longer enough. Lawyers must combine technical excellence with judgement and relationship-building capabilities.
How is AI changing legal recruitment and retention?
From a recruitment perspective, AI is becoming a key topic in hiring conversations. Candidates at all levels increasingly want to understand how organisations are using AI and how it forms part of the firm’s future strategy. The conversation also touched on lawyer mobility, retention, and workforce expectations. Career paths are becoming less linear, flexibility is increasingly valued, and firms must think differently about attracting and retaining talent in a changing market.
To learn more about how Karen and our Legal Professional team can assist with your hiring needs, find out more about our Legal Professional recruitment expertise.
