By Jon Howard
AI is not just changing technology. It is driving a measurable increase in legal work.
Over the past 12–18 months, we have seen a significant uptick in demand for lawyers advising on AI-related matters. AI is generating work across three core areas in particular, technology transactions, regulation and antitrust.
On the technology transactions side, demand has risen sharply. Contracts now need to address AI outputs, liability frameworks, use of training data, audit rights, cybersecurity risk and regulatory compliance. These issues did not exist in traditional software agreements. As a result, we have seen strong demand for tech transactional lawyers with AI fluency.
Regulation is creating sustained and recurring work. Frameworks such as the EU AI Act require companies to classify systems, document risk assessments, implement governance controls, train staff and update contracts. This is not a one-off advisory project. It is ongoing compliance. We are seeing steady demand for regulatory lawyers who understand how AI intersects with privacy, cybersecurity and consumer protection.
Antitrust is another major growth area. Competition authorities are closely examining AI markets, particularly where data concentration, strategic partnerships or acquisitions could affect competition. Firms cannot dominate or consolidate AI markets without scrutiny. Even relatively small transactions can trigger regulatory review. As AI companies scale, we have seen a clear rise in demand for antitrust attorneys with digital market experience.
Intellectual property is also under pressure. Training data disputes, copyright claims over AI-generated outputs and patent filings for AI-enabled products are increasing. Companies are investing heavily in protecting AI-driven innovation. IP lawyers with experience in patents, trade secrets and licensing structures linked to AI are in demand. The merging of AI and core technology development is accelerating patent strategy and enforcement activity.
This growth is not isolated to one department. AI mandates are often cross-disciplinary. A single client may require coordinated advice from tech, regulatory, IP and antitrust teams. Firms that can deliver integrated capability are winning larger and more complex instructions.
At the same time, AI is creating new client relationships. Start-ups, scale-ups and established companies embedding AI into their products all require legal support. This is producing a real knock-on commercial effect including new workstreams, stronger realisation and upward pressure on billing rates in specialist areas.
However, there is another side to the shift. Corporate legal departments are using AI internally to improve efficiency. Routine contract review and document analysis are increasingly handled in-house. This is placing pressure on lower-complexity, process-heavy work. The market is splitting so that high-value, complex AI advisory work is growing, while commoditised work is tightening.
Legal jobs linked to AI are booming. We are seeing sustained demand for tech transactional, regulatory, antitrust and IP lawyers with credible AI experience. Senior associates who can independently manage complex AI matters are particularly sought after. Firms are investing in targeted hiring rather than broad expansion.
Contact Us
jon.howard@wearebuchanan.com