Young lawyers must embrace AI, but with caution, says Supreme Court judge
Supreme Court Judge MM Sundresh told law graduates on Saturday that artificial intelligence is already changing legal practice and young lawyers need to adapt or fall behind.
Speaking at the seventh convocation of Tamil Nadu National Law University, Sundresh said AI is being deployed in countries including the US to draft legal opinions and resolve civil disputes. "It gives precise information and opinion equivalent to many minds," he said.
The technology will eliminate some lawyer roles. But Sundresh framed this as an opportunity: lawyers who integrate AI into their practice will be better positioned as the profession evolves.
Where legal work is heading
The types of cases lawyers handle are shifting. Matrimonial disputes-divorce, child custody, restitution-are expected to rise, creating opportunities for women lawyers who already excel in this area, Sundresh said.
Conventional criminal cases and family property disputes will likely decline as urbanisation reduces joint family structures and social dynamics change.
Financial disputes, intellectual property, cyber crime, and white-collar offences will dominate the future, he said.
What separates good lawyers from the rest
Sundresh described lawyers as "social engineers" and "social doctors" whose job is resolving conflict in society. Knowledge of law matters less than mastery of facts and the ability to present them effectively.
"It is the impact you make on the judge that matters," he said.
He urged graduates to become lifelong learners and adapt to technological change. Those who don't will struggle.
The numbers
The convocation awarded degrees to 138 students: 85 women and 53 men. Forty-eight completed BA LLB (Hons), 43 completed BCom LLB (Hons), and 47 completed the LLM programme.
Rajeta Shuklaa topped the BA LLB (Hons) programme, while Aishwarya Mathanan led the BCom LLB (Hons) group. Brindha S received the gold medal in the LLM programme.
Chief Justice of Madras High Court Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, who chairs the university, presided over the ceremony.
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