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Major firms are hiring engineers, data scientists, AI specialists, and technology leaders. Some firms are also building dedicated AI teams.

The goal is simple. Firms want skilled workers who can build new tools.

They also want workers who can improve legal services. As a result, AI is changing law firm hiring.

Firms now compete for both legal and technical talent.

Key Takeaways

• Law firms are hiring more AI and technology workers.
• Cooley has launched Cooley AI as a firm-owned AI company.
• Cooley AI is hiring for 14 positions.
• Several major firms now advertise AI jobs.
• One firm offered up to $438,000 for a director of applied AI.
• Kirkland & Ellis plans to spend $500 million on a custom AI platform.
• Morgan & Morgan has committed at least $1 billion to AI.
• AI companies are also hiring lawyers from major firms.
• The trend could create new legal and technology careers.

Law Firms Expand AI Talent Hiring

The race for AI talent is becoming a major part of law firm strategy.

Law firms need workers who can build AI systems. They also need people who can manage data.

In addition, firms need workers who can develop new products.

Therefore, law firms are competing with technology companies for skilled workers.

Cooley is one example. The firm recently launched Cooley AI.

Cooley describes it as a firm-owned artificial intelligence company.

The new business will build tools for Cooley lawyers. It will also explore new ways to deliver legal services.

Cooley AI will operate much like a startup. However, it will remain linked to the law firm.

Cooley AI Creates New Technology Jobs

Cooley is hiring for 14 positions within Cooley AI. Several are senior engineering roles.

At least four people had joined the team by September 24.

Meanwhile, some new hires came from other law firms.

Cooley AI also hired an engineer from Adobe. Chief Innovation Officer David Wang said the company wants more workers from technology firms and startups.

The pay also shows the level of competition.

For example, Cooley advertised $220,000 to $250,000 for a senior AI data engineer. That salary is close to first-year lawyer pay at Cooley and other large firms.

BigLaw Expands AI Recruiting

Cooley is not the only major law firm hiring AI workers.

Several major law firms have advertised AI-related jobs.

Those firms include Covington & Burling, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Latham & Watkins, Kirkland & Ellis, McGuireWoods, Mayer Brown, and White & Case.

The jobs cover several areas. Some focus on engineering and data.

Others focus on AI strategy. Some also involve technology leadership.

In addition, pay can be high.

One law firm advertised up to $438,000 for a director of applied AI. That figure shows the value firms can place on experienced AI workers.

Why Law Firms Need AI Specialists

Buying AI software is only one step.

Law firms also need people who can manage the technology. They need workers who can build tools and handle data.

Furthermore, AI specialists can find useful ways to apply the technology.

Their work may support legal research and drafting. It may also help with document review and client services.

As a result, law firms now compete for workers who may not have planned to work in law.

Law Firms Increase AI Investments

Hiring is only part of the AI push.

Law firms are also putting large sums into artificial intelligence.

For example, Kirkland & Ellis said in May that it planned to devote $500 million of revenue to a custom AI platform.

The project is expected to take three to four years.

Meanwhile, Morgan & Morgan said in September that it had committed at least $1 billion to AI over the next decade.

Cooley has not disclosed its investment in Cooley AI.

These investments could create more demand for technical workers.

In particular, firms may need engineers and product specialists. They may also need data experts and AI strategists.

AI Companies Are Hiring Lawyers Too

The talent race works in both directions.

Law firms are hiring technology workers. At the same time, AI companies are hiring lawyers.

According to Firm Prospects, 46 lawyers moved from the 200 highest-grossing U.S. law firms to AI companies during the first half of 2026.

The companies included Harvey, Anthropic, and OpenAI.

That trend adds another layer to the AI hiring race.

Law firms need technical workers to build AI systems. Meanwhile, AI companies need lawyers who understand legal work.

Therefore, legal experience can also be valuable to technology companies.

AI Jobs at Law Firms Could Expand

The growth of AI teams could create new legal technology jobs.

Traditional legal roles remain important. However, firms are adding jobs that connect law, technology, data, and business.

Potential career areas include:

• AI strategy
• Legal technology
• AI product development
• Data science
• Software engineering
• Technology operations
• AI governance
• Legal innovation
• Product management
• AI implementation

For lawyers, technology skills can open another career path.

Meanwhile, technical workers can join law firms without becoming attorneys.

What AI Talent Means for Recruiters

Recruiters now face a changing hiring market.

Law firms compete with technology companies and startups. They also compete with AI businesses.

Therefore, salary is not the only factor.

Candidates may also look at the tools they will use. They may consider the projects they will work on.

Furthermore, they may want a chance to shape legal services.

Dedicated AI teams may help firms attract technical workers. A separate technology group can feel more familiar to engineers and data scientists.

Cooley’s startup-style approach to Cooley AI is one example.

AI Skills Matter More for Lawyers

The AI hiring race also affects law students.

Legal employers increasingly want graduates who understand AI tools. They also want lawyers who understand AI risks.

As a result, law schools are adding AI courses and training.

For example, Suffolk University Law School added generative AI training to its required first-year Legal Practice Skills course.

The course covers AI concepts and uses. It also covers risks, limits, and professional duties.

Suffolk also offers courses in AI, legal technology, cybersecurity, and AI regulation.

Meanwhile, U.S. law schools are taking different approaches to AI education.

Suffolk has also collected AI policy information from 180 law schools.

What Law Students Can Do

Law students interested in AI careers can build useful skills.

First, they can learn how generative AI is used in legal work. They should also learn about accuracy and confidentiality.

Next, students can take legal technology courses. They can also work on practical technology projects.

Finally, students can build both legal and technical knowledge.

This combination can help with several careers. These include law firms, legal technology companies, corporate legal departments, and AI businesses.

AI Is Changing Law Firm Hiring

The growth of AI is changing what firms want from new hires.

For many years, law firms focused mainly on lawyers and legal professionals.

Now, firms are also hiring engineers and data scientists. They are adding product specialists and AI leaders too.

At the same time, technology companies are hiring lawyers with legal experience.

Therefore, the legal and technology industries are becoming more connected.

Cooley AI shows how quickly this change is taking place. Other firms are also investing in AI and expanding their hiring.

For lawyers, students, recruiters, and technology workers, this creates new opportunities.

AI is not only changing legal work. It is also changing who law firms need to hire.

FAQs

Law firms are hiring AI workers to build technology. They also want to improve legal work.

These professionals can help firms manage data. They can also create new legal services.

What AI jobs are available at law firms?

Law firms can hire software engineers and data scientists. They can also hire AI specialists, product managers, and technology strategists.

AI leadership roles are also becoming part of some firms’ hiring plans.

However, available roles vary by firm.

Do lawyers need AI skills?

AI skills are becoming more useful for lawyers.

For example, lawyers can benefit from knowing how AI tools work. They should also understand where these tools can help.

In addition, lawyers need to understand AI risks and limits.

Can engineers work at law firms?

Yes. Law firms increasingly hire engineers and other technical workers.

These professionals can work on AI and software. They can also work in data, product development, and legal technology.

Are law firms competing with technology companies for AI workers?

Yes. Major law firms are competing with technology companies and startups for technical talent.

Several major law firms were advertising AI jobs in September 2026.

How much can AI professionals earn at law firms?

Pay varies by role, experience, and firm.

For example, one law firm advertised up to $438,000 for a director of applied AI.

Cooley advertised $220,000 to $250,000 for a senior AI data engineer.

Are AI companies hiring lawyers?

Yes. Firm Prospects reported that 46 lawyers moved from the 200 highest-grossing U.S. law firms to companies such as Harvey, Anthropic, and OpenAI during the first half of 2026.

Why are law firms creating AI teams?

Dedicated teams give firms a group focused on AI development.

In addition, these teams can help firms attract engineers and data scientists.

They may also give technical workers a more technology-focused workplace.

AI Talent Race Reshapes Law Firms

The competition for AI talent is changing the legal industry.

Law firms are investing in AI. They are also expanding their search for technical workers.

Meanwhile, AI companies are hiring lawyers with legal experience.

As a result, the line between law firms and technology companies is becoming less clear.

For legal professionals and students, this shift creates new career options.

For recruiters, however, it creates a tougher fight for specialized workers.

Ultimately, the AI race is also a talent race.

As firms build more AI tools, they will need people who understand technology and legal work.

That demand could become an important part of the business of law.

Looking for your next legal career move? Explore the latest legal jobs and AI-related opportunities on LawCrossing. Find positions that match your skills and career goals.

See Also:

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