What the Future of Jobs Report 2025 Means for the Legal Profession
The Future of Jobs Report 2025, published by the World Economic Forum earlier this year, provides insight into how major global trends are expected to shape labor markets between now and 2030. Based on input from over 1000 employers across 55 economies and 22 industries, the report identifies the main forces in job creation and displacement, outlines shifts in skills demand, and highlights strategic workforce responses from businesses.
For legal professionals, this report offers a useful lens through which to examine the broader changes that may influence the future of law, both in terms of how legal services are delivered and the nature of the legal work itself.
1. AI, Automation and the Legal Sector
Technological change is the most cited driver of business transformation, with 86% of employers expecting AI and information processing technologies to reshape their operations by 2030. While much of the public conversation on AI focuses on its impact in industries such as finance, healthcare or logistics, law is equally exposed.
Generative AI is already being integrated into tasks such as legal research, document review and contract drafting. As these tools become more reliable and accessible, law firms and legal departments may adopt them to improve efficiency and reduce costs. This will likely shift expectations for junior lawyers and support staff, where routine work can increasingly be handled by machines.
Administrative roles within the legal sector are among those projected to decline. The report specifically lists legal secretaries and administrative assistants as part of a broader group of clerical functions that may be reduced as automation and AI tools mature.
2. Legal Skills for a Digital and Secure Economy
The report highlights a growing demand for skills in cybersecurity, data protection and technology governance. For lawyers, this means more client work related to digital compliance, AI regulation, and cyber incident response.
Information security analysts are among the fastest-growing roles, and this corresponds with new legal considerations around data handling, intellectual property in digital spaces, and cross-border data flows. Legal professionals who stay informed about regulatory developments in these areas may find growing opportunities in advising both startups and established enterprises.
3. Advising Clients in a Fragmented Global Economy
Geopolitical tensions and shifts in trade and investment policy are expected to influence a wide range of industries. Nearly a quarter of employers anticipate increased restrictions on global trade to impact their business, and one in five expect industrial policies and subsidies to shape their operations.
For the legal sector, this reinforces the importance of expertise in international trade law, foreign direct investment regulation and government relations. As businesses restructure supply chains, manage sanctions exposure or seek to localize operations, lawyers with regional and cross-border knowledge will be in demand.
4. Green Regulation and the Legal Role in the Transition
The green transition is another central driver in the report. Nearly half of employers expect emissions reduction efforts to transform their business by 2030, while a similar share expect climate adaptation to have an impact. Legal professionals working in areas such as energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and finance will encounter new regulatory frameworks and client needs.
This will likely involve work related to environmental compliance, ESG disclosure obligations, project permitting, and sustainable finance. The report notes significant growth in roles such as environmental engineers and renewable energy specialists, sectors that will increasingly require legal guidance as they expand.
5. Shifting Skill Demands and Talent Development
One of the report’s central findings is that 39% of workers’ current skill sets will be outdated by 2030. Legal professionals, like those in many other sectors, will need to continuously adapt to remain effective. Resilience, flexibility and analytical thinking are already considered core skills, and these will continue to be in demand. For lawyers, these traits are relevant when working through regulatory changes, advising clients in uncertain environments or adjusting to new legal technologies.
The report also identifies the skills expected to increase in use by 2030. These include AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy. For legal professionals, this signals a growing need to understand how these technologies operate in practice and how they intersect with legal risk. Lawyers involved in data protection, digital contracts, or compliance may benefit from familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks, AI regulation and the legal dimensions of digital infrastructure.
In addition to technical knowledge, curiosity and lifelong learning are expected to play a key role. Legal training is no longer confined to law school or early career development. Ongoing education, whether formal or informal, will be necessary to keep pace with evolving regulations, new industries, and global trends. Firms that build a culture of continuous learning and encourage skill development beyond traditional legal competencies may be better prepared for long-term change.
6. Preparing the Next Generation of Lawyers
Demographic trends also suggest rising demand for education professionals, including in higher education. As more individuals enter the workforce in emerging economies, the demand for legal education, especially with a focus on interdisciplinary and international content, is expected to grow.
Legal educators and institutions may see increased interest in programs covering topics such as environmental law, AI and ethics, international trade regulation and comparative law frameworks. Graduates entering the field will need both legal knowledge and digital fluency to remain competitive.
The Future is Not Near It’s Here
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 offers a timely overview of the forces reshaping the world of work. For lawyers, these are not distant trends. They are already influencing how legal services are delivered, how clients define value and what skills professionals will need to remain effective.
Responding to these shifts requires more than just internal adjustments. It calls for access to diverse perspectives, shared knowledge and the ability to collaborate across borders. For many firms, being in a global alliance like ABL (Alliance of Business Lawyers) can provide that foundation. ABL connects independent law firms around the world and enables members to exchange insight on regulatory developments, innovation in legal practice and changing client expectations. It also strengthens their ability to offer cross-border support with local insight.
In a time of accelerated transformation, legal professionals who are part of a trusted global network may be better positioned to adapt, support clients and contribute to shaping the future of legal services. ABL offers a practical and collaborative path to navigate disruption together.
Photo by Mario Gogh on Unsplash
