Occupation · 2026 assessment

Attorney

A Attorney applies law, examines documents and evidence and is accountable for a procedurally sound position or decision. The assessment separates automation of individual tasks from accountability for the professional outcome.

Moderate risk level Search jobs ↗
How risk may change

A forecast estimate, not a guaranteed scenario.

51%2026
54%2028
58%2030
64%2035

Which tasks are exposed

Risk applies to individual tasks—not to a person or an entire occupation.

TaskRisk
reviewing case materials69%
researching applicable law and precedent64%
examining evidence60%
drafting procedural documents55%
interviewing or questioning49%
participating in hearings39%
assessing legal risk28%
forming the final legal position20%

Task map

AI replaces ↔ AI augments

Each task is positioned by AI capability and the degree of human involvement still required.

  1. 1reviewing case materialsAI 69% · human 62%
  2. 2researching applicable law and precedentAI 64% · human 60%
  3. 3examining evidenceAI 60% · human 55%
  4. 4drafting procedural documentsAI 55% · human 69%
  5. 5interviewing or questioningAI 49% · human 60%
  6. 6participating in hearingsAI 39% · human 68%
  7. 7assessing legal riskAI 28% · human 72%
  8. 8forming the final legal positionAI 20% · human 71%

Why technology can change this work

  • digital tools reduce preparation and control time
  • full automation is constrained by variable real-world conditions
  • many cases still require professional judgement
  • the main inputs and outputs already exist digitally

What protects the occupation

  • procedural accountability
  • assessment of conflicting evidence
  • public and ethical consequences of decisions

United States · before tax

Average pay and outlook

Estimated nominal monthly pay. The scenario reflects sector, demand and task resilience; it is not a guarantee of income.

2026$9 400per month
2035$12 700scenario estimate
2026: $9 40020262027: $9 70020272028: $10 05020282029: $10 40020292030: $10 75020302031: $11 10020312032: $11 50020322033: $11 90020332034: $12 30020342035: $12 7002035
Find jobs ↗The partner link may contain referral parameters. Data benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗

Job search and transitions

Find work with a lower risk index

Compare adjacent paths and open a current search for the selected occupation.

Skills you already have

  • legal analysis
  • procedural law
  • evidence handling
  • legal writing
  • negotiation
  • professional ethics

Skills to build

  • AI-assisted legal research
  • AI-output validation
  • digital evidence
  • data protection
  • legal-risk modelling
  • algorithmic decision transparency
CurrentAttorney · 51%
→
Keeplegal analysis · procedural law · evidence handling
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AddAI-assisted legal research · AI-output validation · digital evidence

Sources and update

Updated: 2026-09-26 · Assessment confidence: Medium

International Labour Organization · 2025Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure

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