AI exposure score

Lawyers

Lawyers score 43 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #383 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 22 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 0 on its own and 19 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 8 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

43/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #383of 923 jobs
US workers: 754,500BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $159,670a year
In real AI use: 8 of 22tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 0 (0%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 19 (86%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 3 (14%)

Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Negotiate settlements of civil disputes.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Prepare legal briefs and opinions, and file appeals in state and federal courts of appeal.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Search for and examine public and other legal records to write opinions or establish ownership.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Confer with colleagues with specialties in appropriate areas of legal issue to establish and verify bases for legal proceedings.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Probate wills and represent and advise executors and administrators of estates.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Act as agent, trustee, guardian, or executor for businesses or individuals.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Help develop federal and state programs, draft and interpret laws and legislation, and establish enforcement procedures.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Supervise legal assistants.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

This job is already among the least exposed in its field.

Other jobs in this field

Legal occupations close to this one.

Questions about lawyers and AI

Will AI replace lawyers?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Lawyers score 43 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #383 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 19 of the job's 22 tasks, 0 of them on its own, while 3 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which lawyers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents"; "Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations"; "Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses".

Which lawyers tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial"; "Represent clients in court or before government agencies"; "Supervise legal assistants".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 8 of the 22 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as lawyers, and what do they earn?

About 754,500 people in the US, with median pay of $159,670 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Lawyers

Task by task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Other jobs in this field

Questions about lawyers and AI

Know what's changing before it reaches your job.