Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Law & Legal Services
65%
Medium Risk
Task-Based Role
AI Impact Overview
Significant parts of this role may be automated or augmented by AI in the coming years. Developing complementary skills and staying adaptable will be important.
Past 3 Years
- AI document review platforms (Relativity, Logikcull) automated first-pass document review, reducing billable hours for e-discovery work by 50-70%
- Contract analysis AI (Kira, LawGeex) began handling routine contract review, changing how paralegals spend their time on transactional matters
- Legal research AI dramatically reduced time spent on case law research, shifting paralegal value from research to analysis and client coordination
2-5 Year Outlook
- Routine document review and basic research tasks will be largely automated by 2027, but complex case preparation, client interaction, and trial support remain human
- Paralegals will evolve into legal operations specialists who manage AI tools, coordinate complex matters, and handle tasks requiring judgment
- Those who resist technology will struggle, but paralegals who become AI-fluent will be more valuable than ever as bridges between lawyers and technology
Adaptation Strategies
- 1Master legal AI platforms immediately - paralegals who can run eDiscovery, configure contract review AI, and quality-check outputs are irreplaceable
- 2Develop specialties in complex, human-judgment areas: trial preparation, client intake and management, regulatory compliance, or immigration processing
- 3Pursue certifications in legal project management and legal operations - these roles are growing as law firms treat practice like business
- 4Build expertise in legal tech implementation - firms desperately need paralegals who can train others, configure systems, and bridge the technology gap
Related Roles to Consider
Stay Informed About Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Get weekly updates on AI developments affecting this role and industry.