The Lawyer of 2030: Which Skills Will Matter Most?

AI is changing legal practice, but could it also change what makes a lawyer valuable?

As artificial intelligence takes on more routine research, drafting and document review, the skills that traditionally defined a successful legal career are being reassessed.

Recent research from the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner found that 55% of surveyed lawyers were using AI in legal practice in 2026, up from 37% in 2025.

By 2030, technical legal knowledge will remain essential. However, commercial judgement, client relationships, negotiation skills and the ability to critically assess AI-generated work could become increasingly important. Routine document production and basic research may become less valuable as standalone skills, particularly as technology improves. For junior lawyers, this raises questions about how they will develop practical experience.

For law firms, it creates a challenge: how do you train future partners when technology is transforming the work traditionally performed by associates?

The lawyer of 2030 may not be the one who produces the most work, but the one who makes the best decisions.