WashU Law Nickerson Dean Stefanie Lindquist recently joined legal educators and industry leaders for the LexisNexis AI Symposium panel, “Lawyering in the Age of AI: Preparing the Next Generation for Practice,” a conversation focused on how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal education and the legal profession.
The panel explored a question that is rapidly moving from theory to practice: how law schools can prepare students to succeed in a profession where AI tools are becoming an integral part of legal research, drafting, and analysis. Participants discussed the skills future lawyers will need, including technological fluency, professional judgment, ethical decision-making, and the ability to work effectively alongside emerging AI technologies.
Dean Lindquist shared perspectives on the evolving relationship between legal education and technology, emphasizing the importance of equipping students with both a strong foundation in legal reasoning and the practical skills needed to navigate an AI-enabled profession.
The discussion highlighted an emerging consensus within both legal education and legal practice that AI will not replace lawyers, but lawyers who understand how to use AI effectively will be better positioned to serve clients and meet the demands of an increasingly technology-driven profession. As law schools continue to adapt their curricula, WashU Law remains at the forefront of efforts to prepare students for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
