Technology is overpowering the very human profession of law.

I saw an article about the increased use of artificial intelligence in the future of the practice of law. The article suggested that lawyers who are not technologically skilled ought to retire or consider another profession. Where is the practice of law headed?

The article you referred to was published in the American Bar Association's Law Journal. It spoke of the coming future of artificial intelligence that can assist lawyers. It ended with the ominous statement that older lawyers who do not like or are not technologically advanced should look forward to their retirement or something to that effect.

Sometimes it is important just to stand still for a second, look at the nature of what the legal profession is supposed to be and then look at where and how technology has advanced the legal profession—or not advanced it. Clearly, since 1993 or 1994 forward, technology has radically changed the way law is practiced. The changes have resulted in the ability to have instant communication, the ability to forward large documents and materials, the ability to access and work at any place at any time and at any location as long as one carries a computer or laptop or even a smartphone. It has replaced the old running for a telephone booth during breaks in trials or looking for gas stations that had phone booths when traveling. For many lawyers and firms, it has replaced having a trusted secretary. It has reduced the number of office staff dramatically, though not necessarily for the better. It has equaled the playing field in terms of access to information. The days when big firm libraries had an advantage are gone as long as one can afford Lexis or Westlaw. Those programs can provide unlimited information almost instantaneously. It has changed the nature of trials. Trials now more and more are becoming technological shows. Documents are put up on a screen and reviewed by jurors. Even opening or closing speeches are all often shows of technology with photographs or evidence or written portions of the closing speech put before the jury. The counsel table in many courtrooms is filled with computer terminals and laptops. Instead of paper, many lawyers have everything on their computer and access it. Even oral arguments are different. Many judges have laptops or computers on the bench. Many arguments are spent watching judges type and oftentimes it's difficult to even see their faces. Filing documents now can be done instantaneously. There is no need to walk to the courthouse or run in at the last moment to have a filing meet the deadline. Discovery is often given on disk and with computers there is so much discovery sometimes that law firms have to hire special IT people to organize it.