According to a leading figure in the legal technology sector, the rise of artificial intelligence will not fundamentally redefine the core attributes that make someone an outstanding lawyer. Although AI is set to transform many operational aspects of legal practice, the essential qualities that distinguish exceptional attorneys today—such as critical reasoning, business acumen, persuasive communication, and ethical judgment—will remain equally indispensable in the future.
Winston Weinberg, cofounder and chief executive officer of the AI-driven legal startup Harvey, articulated this belief during a recent Ask Me Anything session on Reddit. He emphasized that, even as technology continues to evolve and automate increasing portions of the legal workflow, the fundamental artistry of lawyering will continue to depend on human intelligence, creativity, and insight. In his words, the very competencies that define an extraordinary lawyer in the present will still define one in the decades ahead. His statement underscores the view that technology, while powerful, cannot replace the nuanced understanding, empathy, and sound judgment that lie at the heart of effective legal practice.
Weinberg’s company, Harvey, has quickly become a disruptive force in the world of corporate law, or what is often referred to as ‘Big Law.’ Its technology enables firms to accelerate research, draft legal documents with impressive efficiency, and analyze vast repositories of information in ways that were once unthinkable. Yet, despite this innovation, Weinberg observed that the top-performing partners with whom Harvey collaborates excel not because of their technical proficiency alone, but because of their deep grasp of client objectives and business realities. In his explanation, those exceptional partners are adept at identifying a client’s underlying business needs and then framing agreements or litigation strategies that address those needs holistically. In litigation, he continued, success depends less on one’s ability to process reams of discovery emails and more on who can craft the most compelling narrative—a persuasive argument that weaves facts, law, and human emotion into an integrated story that resonates with judges and juries alike.
Turning his attention to the next generation of legal professionals, Weinberg advised that junior partners and associates should prioritize obtaining as much direct client experience as possible, even early in their careers. He revealed that this is a point he consistently emphasizes in conversations with firm leadership: emerging lawyers develop practical wisdom not through theoretical training alone, but through firsthand interactions with clients, where they must interpret needs, manage expectations, and navigate complex interpersonal and business dynamics. According to Weinberg, law firms should actively cultivate these opportunities and remain patient enough to allow young lawyers to learn by making occasional mistakes. Such experiences, he explained, are not setbacks but crucial developmental steps, shaping promising associates into future partners equipped with both confidence and insight.
Weinberg’s comments also came in the wake of Harvey’s new valuation milestone—an impressive $8 billion figure achieved following a recent funding round led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (A16z). This valuation signals the growing importance of AI tools in the legal industry. Nonetheless, Weinberg emphasized that the evolving legal technology ecosystem is too vast for any single player—even one as well positioned as Harvey—to dominate entirely. He expressed his conviction that the enormous value created in legal tech over the coming decade will be distributed among a range of companies, collaborations, and innovators, rather than captured by one market leader. This acknowledgement reflects both humility and realism, recognizing the collaborative and competitive dynamics that drive progress in complex technological domains.
In offering guidance to lawyers who aspire to follow a similar entrepreneurial path, Weinberg highlighted one of the most vital personal qualities for success in technology and startups: the ability to embrace and learn from failure. After his Reddit session, he elaborated in an interview with Business Insider that many junior lawyers, shaped by the meticulous culture of legal practice, tend to strive for perfection in every task. Yet, he noted, entrepreneurship and innovation require a very different mindset—one that values experimentation, recognizes that missteps are inevitable, and treats them as opportunities for growth. Startups, he explained, operate in environments defined by uncertainty, risk, and rapid iteration. For that reason, aspiring legal tech entrepreneurs need to build resilience, adaptability, and a high tolerance for failure, as these are the mental frameworks that ultimately enable long-term achievement.
Taken as a whole, Weinberg’s perspective paints a balanced and insightful portrait of the legal profession’s future. While artificial intelligence is reshaping workflows, research methods, and even the economic structure of law firms, the essential nature of great lawyering—understanding human motivations, deploying strategic judgment, and communicating effectively—remains unchanged. The most successful lawyers of the future, in Weinberg’s view, will be those who master advanced digital tools while also embodying timeless professional virtues. They will harmonize technological fluency with empathy, wisdom, and creativity, thereby ensuring that the practice of law evolves without losing its human foundation.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/harvey-ceo-advice-young-lawyers-2025-12
