Legal professionals entering the tech industry need to develop specific competencies that bridge legal expertise and technical understanding.
5.1 Core Competencies to Develop
Technical Fluency
- Understanding how AI and machine learning systems work (conceptually)
- Familiarity with software development lifecycle
- Basic knowledge of data processing and model training
- Ability to communicate with technical teams
According to Vanderbilt Law School, “lawyers in the technology sector benefit from developing technical fluency and translation skills, which decreases the barrier of communication across disciplines.”
Translation Skills
- Breaking down complex tech concepts into legal/policy strategies
- Explaining legal requirements to non-legal stakeholders
- Converting regulatory text into actionable technical requirements
- Facilitating communication between legal, policy, and engineering teams
Adaptability
- Comfort with rapid technological change
- Willingness to learn continuously
- Ability to work in ambiguous environments
- Openness to non-traditional career paths
5.2 Emerging Hybrid Roles
The ACC/Everlaw report identifies new roles combining legal and technical expertise:
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Legal Knowledge Engineer | Structures legal information for machine consumption |
| Legal Process Designer | Reimagines service delivery models |
| Legal Data Analyst | Extracts insights from legal data |
| AI Ethics Counsel | Specializes in governance of automated systems |
| Policy Analyst | Guides organizations through new AI rules |
5.3 Training and Development Resources
Formal Programs
- Suffolk University Law School LIT Certificate (6-course online program)
- Technology policy and AI governance certifications
- PMI CPMAI for AI project management
Self-Directed Learning
- Reading technical documentation and research papers
- Attending AI and legal tech conferences
- Participating in webinars and workshops
- Engaging with developer communities
Practical Experience
- Internships combining legal and technical work
- Pro bono work with legal tech organizations
- Moot court and competitions focused on technology law
- Research assistantships with technology law faculty
5.4 Industry Survey Insights
A recent industry survey found:
- 52% of law firm managers have shifted hiring criteria due to AI advances
- 66% of in-house legal managers seek different skills due to automation
- 97% of developers now use AI assistants
- Legal professionals who embrace AI tools gain competitive advantage
Legal Intern Best Practices Series
This is Part 5 of a 10-part series on best practices for designing capstone projects for legal interns at AI companies.
- Part 1: Best Practices for Intern Capstone Projects
- Part 2: Leveraging Legal Expertise in AI Company Settings
- Part 3: Intersection of Law and AI
- Part 4: Successful Examples of Legal-Tech Intern Projects
- Part 5: Skills Development Goals (You are here)
- Part 6: Project Scoping and Mentorship
- Part 7: Deliverable Formats
- Part 8: Evaluation Criteria
- Part 9: Specific Project Ideas
- Part 10: Resources and References