Forty-eight percent of 2022 law graduates say AI is an essential part of their daily work, with legal research and information synthesis as the top uses, according to a survey released Tuesday by the NALP Foundation. The findings, the first of their kind from the organization, signal how quickly generative AI is reshaping law practice just months after tools like ChatGPT became publicly available.
AI adoption among new lawyers
The survey of 1,302 graduates from American Bar Association-accredited law schools found that 30% have access to AI tools but seldom use them, while 22% do not use AI at all in their current roles. Legal research was the most cited application at 57%, followed by compiling and synthesizing information at 55%. Drafting documents came third at 40%.
"We do anticipate the reported levels of utilization will continue to climb as the legal profession becomes both more comfortable with these tools and incorporates them more into legal education and practice," said NALP Foundation President Fiona Trevelyan.
The legal AI market is on track to grow to $10 billion annually by 2030, according to industry estimates. As firms invest in these tools, training platforms like AI for Legal are helping lawyers build the skills needed to use them effectively.
Nearly all respondents - 96% - said they did not use AI tools while in law school. That is unsurprising given that ChatGPT debuted in November 2022, several months after they graduated.
High mobility persists
Job changes remain common among this cohort. Sixty-three percent reported holding two or more positions since graduation, though only 11% said they are actively seeking a new job. That is down from 13% among the classes of 2019 to 2021.
NALP Executive Director Nikia Gray said the high mobility underscores the need for a "national accreditation system that supports reciprocity and enables lawyers to pursue opportunities wherever their careers take them." A handful of states have moved to eliminate or sideline ABA accreditation in lawyer licensing, which opponents say will impede attorneys' ability to move between jurisdictions.
Law graduate debt declines
Reported debt loads fell for the third consecutive year. The class of 2022 carried an average debt of $81,876 three years after graduation, down from $88,669 among 2021 graduates.
Why this matters for legal professionals
Early career lawyers who do not develop AI skills risk falling behind as firms embed these tools into daily workflows. The survey shows that AI proficiency is quickly becoming a baseline expectation, not a differentiator. For law firms, providing structured AI training can boost retention in a market where new lawyers routinely switch jobs. The data also suggests that bar regulators may need to adapt licensing rules to support a mobile workforce accustomed to using AI across state lines.
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