For Firms Eyeing 2027 Associate Classes, the AI-Fueled Future Is Now

Some of the activities used to train entry-level attorneys are being automated by artificial intelligence, which raises concerns about how firms can continue to accommodate growing first-year class sizes.
Law firms responding to Law.com inquiries said they want to continue or expand entry-level hiring as application portals for 2026 summer associate programs open soon.
Clients of law firms, meantime, are beginning to demand that firms pass on cost savings from AI-assisted labor.