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As a profession steeped in tradition, law isn’t known for its flexibility. Yet in today’s world, where the pace of technological change is redefining the way we work, the law needs to adapt.
“I think the best lawyers will be those who are really comfortable in these moments of reinvention, upheaval, and constant evolution,” says Catherine Kemnitz, Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Axiom.
Like many in-house counsel, Kemnitz began her career in private practice, working within the hierarchal structure of associate to partner under the constraints of the billable hour – rigidities which she regards as a handbrake to the profession.
Kemnitz believes the legal industry is currently experiencing a “wrecking ball moment”, as AI tools redefine what legal expertise means. “We have to reimagine what knowledge is, what legal skills are, and how that knowledge is transmitted,” she says.
She sees a future where lawyers harness AI to enhance their impact, where those who thrive will think creatively, connecting dots others miss, and applying empathy and judgment that no machine can replicate. Humanity as a point of differentiation is at the core of the legal revolution, with businesses and clients seeking human perspective and connection.
Yet, Kemnitz sees this future being held back by legal education, with law schools still stuck in a bygone era. “Law school should teach you how to think like a lawyer, how to navigate thorny issues. In a world where all knowledge is a click away with AI, what does a lawyer’s mind bring to the table?”
AI has taken one of the main skills in a lawyer’s arsenal, legal knowledge, and made it publicly available. But where a lawyer’s true value remains is in the interpretation of the law and subsequent risk. “Now, the legal component you bring to your CEO is only a subset of the question,” she says. “You have to step up and say, I’ll tell you what I think. This is going to be tough, risky, and I don’t have a perfect answer… That’s a completely different muscle from researching case law.”
In episode 46 of the Legal Leaders podcast, host David Lancelot David Lancelot talks with Catherine Kemnitz, Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Axiom, about how in-house law is evolving. To watch the podcast, click here.
