General Counsel
Consulting
provided
exceptional
service in helping
my organization
recruit for a hard
to fill position.
They did extensive
work on the front
end to understand
our needs and
our culture and
began referring
highly qualified
candidates almost
immediately.
Melinda Burrows
Deputy General Counsel
- Litigation and
Compliance, Progress
Energy Service Company
LLC
Articles By Harrison Barnes From BCG Attorney Search
Law firms are giving lawyers more time to learn about artificial intelligence (AI). Some firms now let attorneys count AI training toward their annual billable hours. This change helps lawyers learn new skills without falling behind on work targets.
Ropes & Gray is expanding its AI training program. More than 1,000 associates and counsel can count up to 100 hours of AI training and testing toward their annual billing goals.
The firm also devoted more than 35,000 associate hours to AI in 2026. Meanwhile, Akerman is giving associates credit for certain AI projects.
These changes show how law firms are adapting to new technology. They also raise questions about billing, lawyer training, and the future of legal work.
Key Takeaways
Ropes & Gray expands AI training: More than 1,000 lawyers can count up to 100 hours of AI work toward annual billing goals.
New lawyers receive training: An earlier program gave first-year associates nearly 400 hours for AI training and practice.
Akerman rewards AI projects: Associates can earn billable-hour credit for projects that benefit the firm.
Law firms are changing billing rules: Some firms now recognize AI training as valuable work.
AI skills can help legal careers: Lawyers and law students may benefit from learning how to use AI tools.
Human review remains vital: Lawyers must check AI results and protect client information.
Ropes & Gray Expands AI Training
Ropes & Gray is giving attorneys more time to learn and test AI tools. Its latest program covers more than 1,000 associates and counsel.
Eligible lawyers can count up to 100 hours of AI training and testing toward their annual billing goals. This gives them time to learn new tools while meeting work targets.
The program builds on an earlier effort for first-year associates. Those lawyers could spend nearly 400 hours on AI training and practice. That time equaled about 20% of their required billable hours.
All first-year associates took part in the earlier program. The firm described the effort as successful.
Why AI Training Matters
Lawyers often face heavy workloads and strict billing goals. As a result, they may struggle to find time to learn new technology.
AI training can help attorneys find better ways to handle legal tasks. However, learning these tools takes time.
By giving credit for AI work, Ropes & Gray makes training easier to fit into the workday. It also encourages lawyers to find useful ways to apply AI.
Ropes & Gray Boosts AI Investment
Ropes & Gray has also devoted many attorney hours to AI projects.
The firm devoted more than 35,000 associate hours to AI in 2026. However, not all these hours necessarily qualified for billable-hour credit.
The firm is combining training with hands-on work. Lawyers can learn how to use AI and explore ways to improve daily tasks.
The firm also discusses AI use during annual performance reviews. These talks aim to encourage lawyers to adopt the technology.
However, access to AI tools is only the first step. Lawyers must learn how to use them and check their results.
Akerman Rewards AI Innovation
Akerman is also giving lawyers credit for AI-related work.
Since April, Akerman has allowed associates to earn billable-hour credit for qualifying AI projects. The firm’s chairman, Scott Meyers, said these projects must provide value to the firm.
Akerman shares AI assignments through an internal portal. Associates can choose a project or suggest their own ideas.
For example, lawyers might test contract review tools or legal research software. These projects can help firms find better ways to handle routine work.
Lawyers also bring practical knowledge to AI development. They understand the tasks that take time and the problems that need solutions.
As a result, their ideas may help firms choose tools that fit their needs. Still, firms must check each tool for accuracy and security before using it in legal work.
Why Firms Are Rethinking Billing
Billable hours remain important to many law firms. Firms often use billing targets to measure work and review performance. These targets may also affect bonuses.
However, strict targets can leave little time for training. Lawyers may avoid new projects if those hours do not count toward their goals.
AI training creates this problem. An associate may spend hours testing a tool before finding a useful result.
Billable-hour credit can help solve this issue. It allows lawyers to learn new skills while working toward their annual targets.
This change also raises a larger question. How should firms measure a lawyer’s work when AI can speed up some legal tasks?
How AI Could Change Law Firm Business
AI tools can help lawyers with research, document review, contract analysis, and drafting. These tools may also reduce the time needed for some tasks.
However, faster work does not always mean higher profits.
For example, AI may help a lawyer review documents in less time. Under hourly billing, that could reduce the hours charged to a client.
Clients may also expect lower fees when technology cuts the time needed for a task. Therefore, firms must review their pricing and billing models.
They must also consider staffing, work quality, and client needs. Careful testing can help firms decide which tools offer real value.
AI Training and Legal Careers
AI skills may become more useful for lawyers and law students. Firms are looking for ways to use technology in daily legal work.
Law students can prepare by learning how AI supports research and document review. They should also learn how to check AI results.
However, AI skills do not replace basic legal knowledge. Lawyers still need strong writing, research, and reasoning skills.
They must also explain legal issues clearly to clients. Good judgment remains essential, even when AI helps with a task.
What Legal Recruiters Should Know
Legal recruiters may also see changes in hiring needs. Firms may look for candidates who understand legal technology.
For example, experience with AI research tools may help a candidate stand out. Knowledge of safe AI use may also be useful.
However, recruiters should not focus on technology alone. Strong legal skills and sound judgment remain important.
Law schools also have a role to play. They can help students prepare for workplaces that use AI tools.
Why Human Judgment Still Matters
AI can help lawyers complete certain tasks. However, attorneys remain responsible for their work.
Lawyers must check legal sources and review AI-generated documents. They must also protect private client information.
Firms should set clear rules for AI use. These rules should explain which tools lawyers may use and how they must review the results.
Training should cover risks as well as benefits. Lawyers need to know when AI may produce false or incomplete answers.
The goal is not simply to use more AI. Instead, firms should use it in ways that protect clients and support good legal work.
AI Training Changes Law Firms
Ropes & Gray and Akerman show how some firms are changing their approach to AI. Both firms recognize that lawyers need time to test new tools.
Giving credit for AI work may help firms find better ways to complete legal tasks. It may also encourage associates to share ideas.
However, firms must measure the results. They need to know whether AI improves work quality, saves time, or lowers costs.
They must also protect the training of junior lawyers. If AI handles more routine tasks, new lawyers still need chances to build research and writing skills.
For law students, attorneys, and recruiters, AI knowledge is becoming more relevant. Yet technology must work alongside strong legal skills.
Firms that support training and set clear rules may be better prepared for changes in legal practice.
FAQs
Why are law firms giving lawyers time to test AI?
Some firms want lawyers to learn AI without falling behind on billing goals. They may give credit for training and projects that help improve legal work.
How many AI training hours can Ropes & Gray lawyers count?
Here is a revised version with shorter sentences, simpler words, active voice, and clearer headings. It keeps the key facts, SEO keywords, key takeaways, and FAQs while improving readability for AIOSEO.Law Firms Give Lawyers Billable Hours for AI Training
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