Law a Dying Profession? (Explained)

Are you thinking about becoming a lawyer and want to know if it’s a dying profession?

It’s a smart question to ask before investing time, effort, and money only to discover that your chosen route is dying and there are no jobs available.

So, is Lawyer a Dying Profession?

Law is not a dying profession since there will always be individuals, businesses, and all levels of government that use legal services in a variety of areas, including litigation.

In fact, according to BLS.gov, the employment of lawyers is projected to grow 9 per cent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 46,000 openings for lawyers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

While law firms will continue to be among the major employers of lawyers, many large organisations are expanding their in-house legal departments to save money.

The high expense of employing outside counsel lawyers and their support staff makes it more cost-effective for many businesses to move work to their in-house legal department.

This move will enhance demand for lawyers in several settings, including financial and insurance businesses, consulting firms, and healthcare providers.

Local and federal governments will undoubtedly continue to require lawyers to prosecute or defend civil matters, pursue federal criminal prosecutions, and collect money owing to the federal government.

Budgetary restrictions at all levels of government, particularly at the federal level, will, nevertheless, likely moderate employment growth.

According to BLS.gov in the United States, there were 804,200 Lawyer jobs in 2020. The largest employers of lawyers were as follows:

Legal services	49%
Self-employed workers	17
Local government, excluding education and hospitals	7
State government, excluding education and hospitals	6
Federal government	5

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Law A Dying Profession That Can Be Taken Over By Technology?

Law is not a dying profession. Even with the adoption of technology, there will always be a need for Lawyers as Law is a complex matter that involves humans and settling disputes.

With the introduction of technology and artificial intelligence, there will be various advancements that will aid automation in the research of laws/cases and the compilation of papers.

However, when it comes to the law, there must be a human connection and someone who understands the law. Assume you’re in court and the defence is pounding a witness; a computer will then have to leap in and present its case and answer.

That, I doubt, will put clients at ease. Will the computer be able to summon witnesses?

I’m sure individuals want to experiment with technology and the law, but I believe most people want someone who is informed and can assist them.

Final Thoughts

With the introduction of technology and artificial intelligence, there will be certain changes, but being a Lawyer is not a dying profession.

They, like other occupations, evolve when new technology is introduced.

The human connection between clients and lawyers will always be necessary for the legal system.

So, if you are considering a career as a Lawyer and is something of interest to you, you are on track for a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Hope you have found this article interesting and helpful, for further articles relating to Law below

References

Lawyers: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)