Login | October 02, 2025
New survey finds many pre-law students fear AI will replace them
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal Tech News
Published: September 26, 2025
Artificial intelligence can streamline routine tasks, boost productivity and even reduce costs, but as more legal professionals incorporate AI into their practices, a new survey finds one in five pre-law students is worried it could replace their jobs.
Conducted in July 2025 by the law school admissions consulting firm Juris Education (https://www.juriseducation.com/blog/1-in-5-aspiring-lawyers-worry-ai-will-replace-their-jobs), the survey includes 220 pre-law students, who answered questions anonymously through a Google form.
While respondents rank difficulty maintaining work-life balance as their top concern (21.8%), job elimination due to AI is a close second, with 20% of students fearful they’ll be displaced.
Other top issues include rising student debt without job security (17.3%), not earning enough for the time and effort required (10.5%), economic and job instability (9.6%) and financial and lifestyle limitations (5.9%).
When it comes to AI, participants’ fears are not totally unwarranted.
According to the ABA Journal, entry-level roles once dominated by law graduates are being replaced by AI tools like Harvey, which are increasingly being used for legal research, contract review and document drafting.
Juris Education Founder Arush Chandna says anxiety around AI is due to a broader shift in the legal field.
“We’re no longer talking about AI just writing contracts or breaking down legalese,” Chandna said. “It is reshaping the fundamental structure of legal work. Our future lawyers are smart enough to see that coming. We want to provide them this data so they can start thinking about how to adapt their skills for a profession that will look very different by the time they enter it.”
As AI continues to take center stage, more law schools are incorporating training into their programs, including Case Western Reserve University School of Law, which is the first institution to require all 1Ls to earn a certification in AI.
According to the American Bar Association’s AI and Legal Education survey, more than 60 U.S. law schools now offer at least one AI class, with multiple institutions providing students with several course options.
While understanding the technology is key, Victoria Ionyo, a senior admissions consultant at Juris Education and a graduate of USC Gould School of Law encourages students to also focus on their human assets.
“While AI is reshaping the legal industry, the rise of AI is less about replacement and more about evolution. It won’t replace the empathy, judgment, and personal connection that law students and lawyers bring to complex issues,” said Ionyo.
“Future law students should focus on building strong communication and interpersonal skills that set them apart in a tech-enhanced legal landscape,” said Ionyo. “These are qualities AI cannot replace.”