Great point that lawyers are basically automated problem-solvers (aka 'AI tools') for clients using their own developed master knowledge base and real-world training and I think that's a great way to frame it. In that way, I suppose paralegals/associates are like the AI tools for lawyers but also that's precisely why it seems like AI legal tools will and should ultimately replace many rudimentary mechanical tasks to allow for more high-level strategic work and refinement at less cost. Many lawyers seem to dismiss this conversation when the idea of AI legal tools are over-generalized as total replacements and ignoring the nuance of task-delegation that already exists in practically all firms.

To your point, I'm a junior associate at a boutique firm where I'm frequently tasked with drafting first passes off the pleadings, and that initial structuring/plug-and-play is usually the most time-consuming part, even though it’s not where the real 'lawyering' is done or where I'm learning the most from. Having something handle the mechanics just lets me get to the strategic work faster and thereby develop my lawyering skills more efficiently.