Tomorrow's Lawyers by Richard Susskind Summary

Tomorrow's Lawyers explores how technology, client demands, and market liberalization are transforming legal services. Richard Susskind predicts a shift from traditional "bespoke" legal work to commoditized services via automation, outsourcing, and online platforms. He outlines strategies for law firms to adapt, discusses virtual courts, and emphasizes preparing young lawyers for emerging roles in this evolving landscape.

Aspiring lawyers, legal educators, and current legal professionals (both firm-based and in-house) will benefit most. The book equips readers to navigate career shifts caused by AI, legal tech, and new service models. It’s also valuable for policymakers addressing access-to-justice gaps through online legal solutions.

Key ideas include:

• Bespoke vs. commodity work: Routine legal tasks will be automated or outsourced, while complex issues remain with elite firms.
• Legal tech adoption: AI-driven tools and online platforms will streamline document review, dispute resolution, and client service.
• New law firm models: Leaner teams of senior lawyers, with reduced reliance on junior associates for repetitive work.

Susskind argues traditional firms must embrace efficiency (via AI tools) and collaboration (through legal process outsourcing) to survive. He predicts a "more for less" client demand will force firms to abandon hourly billing and adopt flat fees, while top-tier firms focus on high-stakes advisory roles.

The book positions AI as a catalyst for automating document analysis, contract review, and legal research. Susskind stresses that lawyers who leverage these tools will outperform those relying on manual methods, but warns against underestimating client expectations for tech-enabled efficiency.

Susskind advocates for virtual courts to improve access to justice, reduce costs, and expedite resolutions. He envisions online dispute resolution platforms handling routine cases, freeing traditional courts for complex matters. This aligns with his work on England’s adopted online court policies.

The book urges young lawyers to:

• Seek tech-forward employers: Prioritize firms/in-house teams investing in legal tech.
• Develop hybrid skills: Combine legal expertise with project management and data analytics.
• Avoid "old-market" traps: Steer clear of roles focused solely on routine, automatable tasks.

While The Future of the Professions (co-authored with Daniel Susskind) critiques all traditional professions, Tomorrow's Lawyers focuses specifically on legal services. The latter provides actionable strategies for law firms and detailed predictions about virtual courts, AI tools, and career pathways.

Some critics argue Susskind overestimates the pace of tech adoption in risk-averse legal sectors. Others note the book’s predictions lean heavily on corporate law, with less analysis of criminal or family law impacts. However, its framework for assessing market shifts remains widely cited.

With AI tools like GPT-4 now handling basic legal drafting and online courts expanding globally, Susskind’s 2013 predictions about commoditization and tech-driven efficiency remain prescient. The book helps readers contextualize current trends like blockchain contracts and regulatory AI.

• “The future lies in courts unbundled from physical locations.”
  Highlights the shift toward virtual justice systems.
• “Lawyers must add value beyond what machines can replicate.”
  Emphasizes the need for strategic, empathetic skills in the AI era.

"NewLaw" refers to alternative legal service providers (e.g., legal tech startups, freelance lawyer platforms) challenging traditional firms. These entities focus on scalability, transparent pricing, and tech-driven solutions for tasks like e-discovery and compliance checks.