Legal profession to lose 39 per cent of jobs

The legal profession is set to lose 100,000 jobs to automation in the next 20 years according to a new study. Deloitte’s outlook for the law firms of the future reveals that 39 per cent of jobs in law will be automated as the profession reacts to changing demands of clients.
The report says there will be a tipping point in 2020 – just four years away – as law firms will be forced by the needs of clients and employees to develop new strategies to remain competitive.
In 10 years Deloitte’s report expects: fewer traditional lawyers in law firms; new skills mix among elite lawyers; greater flexibility and mobility within the industry; reformed workforce structure and progression routes; and a willingness to bring in people from non-legal backgrounds.
 
Elite law brands named
BTI Consulting has published its 2016 Brand Elite rankings for law firms. The list is based on firms’ reputations, likelihood of being recommended by clients and recognition for innovation and forward-thinking. The process includes interviews with hundreds of corporate general counsel and ranking of 400 law firms. Skadden, Jones Day and Baker & McKenzie are this year’s top three.
 
Eversheds expands apprenticeship program
Eversheds has partnered with BPP University Law School to launch its Trailblazers apprenticeship program in the UK. The law firm already has a program called Eversheds Aspire but this new scheme will allow qualification as a solicitor following six years of work-based learning, followed by a Solicitors Regulatory Authority assessment. The expansion is part of a drive to create new routes to qualification in the UK.
 
Europe launches consultation on copyright laws
Copyright for publishers is being considered by the European Commission and could lead to a shake-up of the current laws in Europe.
Publishers are not currently acknowledged in EU law as rights holders. The expected change would put press publishers’ rights on par with other content producers such as broadcasters, film producers and phonogram producers with a related right that would afford publishers more licensing and negotiation opportunities.
A change in the law would assist with publishers’ challenges in creating new content and the European Publishers Council has welcomed the consultation as the chance to protect investment and innovation in the sector.