Ropes & Gray commits 20% of junior lawyer billable hours to AI exploration across Europe
updated on 14 January 2026
Reading time: one minute
Ropes & Gray International LLP has expanded its ‘TrAIlblazers’ initiative to Europe, giving junior lawyers the ability to spend 20% of their billable hours on hands‑on AI exploration.
The programme, first trialled in the US last year, aims to help newly qualified (NQ) lawyers and trainee solicitors develop AI-testing skills and best practices that can be used firm wide. As part of the initiative, the firm will provide formal and on‑demand training, and give junior lawyers access to partner‑led mentoring circles. Those involved will also work in peer cohorts to tackle client challenges and contribute practical insights to the firm’s wider innovation efforts.
Ropes & Gray currently uses a variety of AI tools, including Hebbia for transactional analysis, Intelligent Legal Solutions’ ProVision for side letter management and Harvey for general generative AI tasks.
Partner Jane Rogers explained: “[The programme] provides our early-stage lawyers with a strong foundation in the transformative potential of AI, and ensures they have dedicated time to develop proficiency with these critical technologies.
“Our NQs and trainees are integral to the firm’s success, and by enabling them to harness these advancements, we empower them to deliver greater value for our clients and enhance their own professional growth.”
Read this Meet the Lawyer interview with Hoey Lee to find out more about life at Ropes & Gray.
