Path to Practice: Law Students Lack Client Skills, AI Savvy

The toolbox of skills students must develop during law school is expanding as AI drives change in the legal industry.

Three quarters of practicing attorneys expect new hires to already know how to cite-check AI-generated materials. However, only 40% of 3Ls feel their coursework has made them proficient in using generative AI technology. These takeaways come from the 2026 Path to Practice report, an annual Bloomberg Law survey of more than 1,800 law students, faculty, and practicing attorneys.

Law schools play an important role in giving students the tools they need to succeed at the start of their careers. Ensuring ...