Ropes & Gray junior lawyers to dedicate 20% of billable time to AI training

Reading time: one minute

Global law firm Ropes & Gray International LLP has introduced a new programme called TrAIlblazers, which allows first-year associates to allocate up to 20% of their billable hours to AI training.

The Boston-headquartered firm launched the initiative in the US earlier this year and is in the process of rolling it out across its international offices, including the UK. Under the scheme, junior lawyers can substitute nearly 400 hours of annual billing requirements to learn and integrate generative AI into legal practice. Activities include:

• mastering the firm’s AI tools;
• testing emerging technologies;
• creating tailored prompts for client matters; and
• experimenting with innovative applications.

Finance partner and member of the Ropes & Gray’s management committee, Jane Rogers, said the firm wants junior lawyers "to see the importance of this transformative technology, and also to empower them to have the time to spend to learn the tools".

Elsewhere, other leading law firms are also taking steps to equip their lawyers with new skills. Kennedys is collaborating with generative AI platform Spellbrook to train juniors in adapting to the evolving nature of entry-level legal work. The firm cautioned that automation could erode traditional tasks such as first-draft contract preparation and document review, potentially limiting practical exposure for junior lawyers.

Senior partner at the firm, John Bruce, said: “As AI accelerates change across the legal sector, we have a responsibility to ensure junior lawyers aren’t left behind. This programme is about creating AI-fluent lawyers: professionals who can combine deep legal reasoning with the ability to work seamlessly alongside AI tools.”