The rise of artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the legal profession, forcing a rethink of traditional career paths and hiring practices. According to Max Junestrand, CEO of the fast-growing legal tech company Legora, the question for aspiring lawyers is no longer just about knowing the law, but what unique value they can add beyond what AI can do.
The AI-Driven Shift in Legal Hiring
Junestrand told City AM that the future of hiring in the legal market is changing. "I think the way you hire lawyers will change a bit… more increasingly we’re seeing lawyers with varied backgrounds," he explained. These backgrounds now often include minors in computer science or entrepreneurial experience. The core reason for this shift is the capability of AI itself. "Knowing the law, yes, that will be one thing, but AI will also know the law. So the question is, what do you bring on top of that?" he stated.
This technological surge has led to layoffs and a reduction in graduate programmes across the professional services sector. While law firms have seen some redundancies, the larger concern is the impact on the conventional legal career ladder. However, Junestrand also highlighted a positive outcome: AI has "created new paths for lawyers that never existed before."
The Rise of the 'Legal Engineer' and Legora's Meteoric Growth
A prime example of this new pathway is the role of the "legal engineer." Legora was an early creator of this position, which is now a major focus in the UK. Legal engineers are former practitioners—such as ex-corporate lawyers or solicitors—with a deep passion for technology. They are often associates or senior associates who chose a tech-focused career over the traditional partner track.
At Legora, these professionals help clients implement AI, building custom workflows and templates. This model is proving highly successful. Founded in early summer 2023, Legora's valuation has skyrocketed from $50m to $1.8bn in just two years. The company provides a web-based AI application that assists with reviewing, drafting, and researching legal documents, alongside a white-label client portal.
With offices in London, New York, Stockholm, and Sydney, its client list includes major names like Carlsberg, DWF, Mishcon de Reya, and Deloitte. A landmark deal was a global deployment with magic circle firm Linklaters, which subsequently recruited a team of 20 AI lawyers. Legora's headcount has exploded from 40 to 220 employees in a year, with ambitious plans for further expansion.
Aggressive London Hiring and a Warning for the Industry
"Our hiring plans for London, specifically for 2026, the best way to phrase it is probably extremely aggressive or fast paced and ambitious," Junestrand revealed, citing significant demand for its software.
He contrasted Legora's position with the recent troubles of London-based rival Robin AI, which was put up for sale after a failed funding round. Junestrand suggested Robin AI struggled by trying to run two parallel business models—direct legal services and software—and failed to pivot quickly enough to generative AI. "As an up-and-coming company, you need to focus," he advised.
Junestrand issued a stark warning to the wider legal industry: firms that sit back and do nothing are at the "biggest risk." As large firms invest heavily in tech to be seen as 'Global Elite', the imperative is clear. "In the coming years, your legal team, whether that’s in-house or in a law firm, will be better off being savvy with the AI technology that we’re now starting to leverage," he concluded.
