36% of AI-Savvy Legal Professionals Would Reject a Job Offer Without the Right Technology
Access to artificial intelligence is becoming an important factor in legal career decisions, with new global research suggesting that lawyers are increasingly considering technology when choosing where to work.
According to Thomson Reuters' Future of Professionals 2026 Legal Report, 36% of surveyed law firm professionals already using professional-grade AI say they would categorically reject a job offer from an employer that did not provide access to the technology.
The findings suggest that AI is evolving beyond a productivity tool into a potential recruitment and retention advantage for law firms. Traditionally, lawyers have assessed career opportunities based on remuneration, reputation, flexibility, partnership prospects and professional development.
Technology may now be joining that list.
For lawyers accustomed to using AI for legal research, drafting, document analysis and other routine tasks, moving to a firm without comparable capabilities could mean returning to slower, more manual workflows.
The research also highlights a growing divide between firms investing in technology and those struggling to integrate it effectively. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in legal practice, access to the right tools may influence not only how lawyers perform their work, but also which employers they choose.
For law firm leaders, the implications extend beyond technology budgets. Investment in AI, training and implementation could increasingly become part of a firm's broader talent strategy.
LawUno Insight
The competition for legal talent may no longer be determined by salary, flexibility and career progression alone.
Lawyers increasingly expect their employers to provide the tools needed to work efficiently and deliver high-quality advice. For firms, this creates a new challenge: technology investment is not simply about improving productivity or profitability. It may also influence their ability to attract and retain talented professionals.
However, access to AI alone is unlikely to be enough. Training, governance and meaningful integration will be essential to ensuring the technology delivers genuine value.
If two law firms offered you the same salary and career opportunities, but only one provided advanced AI tools, which would you choose?