The International Bar Association’s (IBA) Future of Legal Services Commission (FLSC) warns that lawyers are underestimating AI’s immediate impact, treating it as a future concern rather than a current priority. The 2024 Future of Legal Services – White Paper highlights the legal profession’s lack of preparedness for AI’s risks and opportunities, alongside challenges such as client expectations, regulatory changes, digitalization, and ESG concerns.
The report, structured around four themes—People, Clients, Business, and the Rule of Law—identifies 17 key issues requiring urgent attention, including AI adoption, legal technology, regulatory independence, and work-life balance. While concerns over access to justice and judicial independence have declined, there is growing focus on ESG compliance and AI-driven legal transformation.
With input from IBA members globally, the report serves as a benchmarking tool for law firms, judiciaries, and academic institutions. The FLSC urges lawyers to proactively engage with AI and industry changes to maintain professional relevance and ethical integrity.