TLDR: Legal expert Gerald Manoharan, a Partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors, asserts that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will transform the legal profession by redefining roles rather than causing widespread job displacement. He highlights AI’s impact on automating junior tasks, the necessity of human oversight, ethical AI implementation, and the importance of reskilling to adapt to new legal landscapes shaped by automation. India is also working on new labor laws to address AI’s influence on the workforce.
In an exclusive interview, Gerald (Jerry) Manoharan, a Partner at JSA Advocates & Solicitors, provided insights into the evolving relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the legal profession in India. Manoharan emphasized that while AI will significantly reshape the industry, it is unlikely to lead to a complete replacement of lawyers. Instead, the focus will shift towards redefining their roles.
Manoharan detailed how AI is already impacting the legal sector, particularly by automating tasks traditionally performed by junior legal staff and freshers. He noted that various AI platforms are now capable of drafting contracts, conducting document reviews, and performing case law research with an accuracy rate of up to 88 percent. This automation is prompting concerns about job displacement, but Manoharan suggests it will necessitate a transformation of existing roles rather than their elimination.
A key aspect of this transformation, according to Manoharan, is the critical need for human oversight. He stressed that organizations adopting AI must ensure robust human involvement to uphold quality, judgment, and accountability in legal processes. Ethical AI use is another cornerstone, ensuring that AI tools are implemented responsibly and fairly.
Furthermore, Manoharan highlighted the importance of reskilling the legal workforce. As AI takes over routine tasks, lawyers will need to develop new competencies and focus on higher-value, more complex legal work that requires human judgment, empathy, and strategic thinking. This adaptation is crucial for legal professionals to thrive in an increasingly automated environment.
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Discussing the broader implications for the workforce, Manoharan touched upon India’s proactive approach to new labor laws. These policies aim to balance technological advancement with workforce protection, ensuring that AI-driven employment decisions comply with existing labor laws, incorporate regular audits, and maintain human oversight at every critical stage, including hiring, performance evaluations, and terminations. These initiatives underscore India’s commitment to fostering a sustainable and inclusive future for its labor market amidst the rise of AI.
