AI is taking the world by storm—from chatbots and drafting tools to courtroom analytics and research assistants. In the legal world, there’s a lot of curiosity (and maybe a little nervous energy) around what this means for the future of lawyers, especially junior lawyers and law graduates.
At Regent Law, we’ve been quietly testing some of the newer tools behind the scenes. And here’s the honest truth: AI is already doing some things faster—and in some cases more accurately—than a graduate lawyer.
That doesn’t mean graduates or lawyers are obsolete. But it does mean the profession is changing.
So, is AI going to take our jobs?
Not entirely. Most experts agree that AI won’t make lawyers completely redundant. But it will likely reduce the number of traditional graduate-level roles, especially those focused on routine or formulaic legal tasks—like document review, precedent research, litigation discovery, or summarising law.
We’ve seen this in action: tools that can draft a solid starting point for contracts in seconds, generate comparison tables for legislation, or double-check legal citations faster than a junior can skim a textbook. It’s impressive—and a bit humbling.
But we’ve also seen its limits. AI doesn’t always get it right, especially when nuance or context is key. It doesn’t (yet!) replace critical thinking, strategic judgement, or human connection. It won’t sit with a client going through a separation, understand their fears, or help them weigh their options in the real-world messiness of life.
What AI will change—for the better
Used well, AI will become an incredible productivity tool. It’s likely to:
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Speed up repetitive work, freeing up time for more strategic and human-focused tasks
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Reduce costs for clients (and/or increase profits for lawyers), as some legal processes become faster to deliver
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Shift the skillset lawyers need—making tech literacy and legal judgement equally important
And for a people-first firm like ours, we’re excited about what that means. More time for the things that matter: talking to clients, explaining options, thinking deeply about tricky legal issues, and crafting tailored strategies. Less time spent on cut-and-paste clauses or searching for obscure case law from 2009.
Looking ahead
The legal landscape is shifting fast. We’re keeping a close eye on how AI is evolving—globally, across New Zealand, and right here in Whangārei. We’re experimenting, learning, adapting—and staying committed to delivering legal services that are personal, practical, and future-ready.
Our vision? To be a law firm that blends tech and humanity—where AI may take care of the grunt work, while our people focus on what only humans can do: understanding, guiding, and advocating.
We can’t wait to see what’s next.
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