Tomorrow’s Lawyers

🚀 Do law courses today prepare the lawyers of tomorrow?

The legal landscape is changing, and so is the education of future lawyers. Legal technology learning is not just an optional extra these days, but an essential part of becoming a lawyer.

At Yale Law School, students take courses on hacking to better understand cybersecurity laws. Closer to home, Oxford LawTech Education Programme (OLTEP) partners with technology companies to get lawyers coding and understanding digital technology. There are also MSc courses in Legal Technology.

But it’s not just about legal tech. Another area where education has shifted is around alternative routes to becoming a lawyer. Today, there are more opportunities to specialise earlier on in your education.

There are also programmes that combine solicitor apprenticeships with academic learning or allow you to work as you train to be a lawyer (check out CILEX for more on this). The SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) is gradually replacing Legal Practice Course (LPC) with a more flexible route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. These pathways make law careers more accessible and diverse.

As the next generation of legal talent enters the profession, it’s clear these are not just trends for 2024, but essential tools for future legal careers.

What do you think are the skills that will be the most important in the future?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 👇