The Next Generation Lawyer: Navigating Legal Careers in 2025

“Now more than ever, we need juniors who are curious and keen to learn,” observes Chrissie Wolfe, Partner at Nexa and legal influencer, during a recent Platforum9 session. Drawing from her journey from traditional practice to YouTube pioneer with 150,000 followers, Wolfe offers fresh insights on what tomorrow’s lawyers need to succeed.

Redefining Legal Skills 

Traditional metrics are shifting dramatically. “Attention to detail was always hammered into us,” Wolfe notes. “But now we’re talking about tech tools that will cross-reference letters with entire files. These traditional skills are moving down the ranks in favor of students who can innovate and create novel solutions.”

The Billable Hours Challenge 

Despite evolving needs, many firms remain anchored to traditional metrics. Wolfe highlights an innovative alternative: “I’ve worked with teams using dynamic target setting – a points system where billable hours is just one quadrant. You could make up points through other contributions, allowing everyone to play to their strengths.”

Education Evolution

 The legal education landscape shows varying degrees of adaptation:

  • Some institutions, like Dixon Poon Law School, offer courses in prompt engineering and large language models
  • Many universities still cater primarily to traditional private practice
  • A gap exists between education and emerging career paths

The Remote Work Paradox 

Interestingly, younger lawyers often buck the work-from-home trend. “Students see office work as the holy grail,” Wolfe explains. “If you’re on a junior lawyer wage, you’re not going to have a lovely home with a garden and nice office. You might be sharing with three other people in some scummy flat.”

Career Path Flexibility 

For aspiring lawyers, Wolfe emphasizes the expanding options:

  • Alternative qualification routes through SQE
  • Diverse paths beyond traditional private practice
  • Importance of building relationships and online presence
  • Focus on two-year plans rather than 30-year commitments

“You don’t have to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life right now,” Wolfe concludes. “Look at what’s in front of you and make decisions based on what feels right to you right now. You can always move or change something later.”

Related

Redefining the Lawyer’s Professional Identity

Legal Tech Literacy for Law Firms: Building Foundations for the Future

Coaching in Legal

AI Integration for In-House Legal Teams

Non-Lawyers in Arbitration

Related

Redefining the Lawyer’s Professional Identity

Legal Tech Literacy for Law Firms: Building Foundations for the Future

Coaching in Legal

AI Integration for In-House Legal Teams

Non-Lawyers in Arbitration

Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Practice in the Age of AI

Breaking the Taboo Around Money In Legal

Smart Tech for Smart Holidays

From Big Law to Building My Law

How to Make the Right Legal Tech Choices?

Beyond the Hype: AI Agents in Legal Practice

Sanctions and Arbitration: Navigating the New Reality

AI Literacy for Law Firms: What Legal Practitioners Need to Know

Southeast Europe M&A: Investment Opportunities in a Dynamic Region

Trust Me, I’m a Coach: The Opportunity for Coaching in Legal Practice

Lawyer Wellbeing When Handling Legal Tech Implementation

English Arbitration Act 2025 Reforms: Modernising London’s Arbitration Framework

Latest in Legal Tech Innovation: The U.S. Perspective

Collaborating to Build Effective Legal Tech:

The Italian Legal Connection: An Evolving Market Overview 

Commercial Skills: The Missing Piece in Legal Education

The European AI Act: Understanding Compliance in a Risk-Based Regulatory Framework

Business Development Support: A Catalyst for Legal Career Progression

International Arbitration Forum: Major Trends Revealed

Navigating Your Career in Big Law: Insights from Perkins Coie’s Ian Bagshaw and Natalie Thomas

Essential Legal Tech Skills for Today’s Lawyers

What Law Firms Are Really Looking For When Recruiting Trainees: Insights from Julian Yarr

Embracing AI in Legal Recruitment: How Candidates Can Leverage Technology for Success

Building Your LinkedIn Professional Presence

Navigating the SQE: Expert Insights on Preparation for Aspiring Solicitors

Interview Prep Techniques

Securing Your Training Contract in the UK & Ireland

Mastering Your Elevator Pitch: Tips & Tricks for Law Students and Early Career Lawyers

Reskilling for the Future: New Skills for Lawyers to Succeed

Building an Effective AI Strategy for Legal Teams: Insights from Jonathan Williams

Building a Lean Legal Enterprise

How Legal Operations Can Elevate Law Firm Performance: Insights from Vadym Kuzmenko

Selecting and Implementing Legal AI: Lessons from Bird & Bird

Developing an Effective CRM Strategy for Modern Law Firms

Legal News & Views | Law Firm Consolidation and Trade Tensions: Reshaping the Global Legal Landscape

How Delegation Can Accelerate Your Legal Career

The Spiritual Dimension of Peak Performance for Lawyers

Human Capital Trends 2025: Navigating the Future of Talent in the Legal Industry

Branding Yourself as a Lawyer: Building an Authentic Professional Identity

How to Streamline Your BD Activity to Be More Effective

Legal Hiring Trends: Insights from a UK Based Veteran Recruiter

How to Turn Your Network Into New Clients

The Division of Human and AI Roles in Legal Document Drafting

Everyday Leadership in Law: Why Everyone Needs to Be a Leader Now

Legal News and Views

Peak Performance Lawyer: Mastering Emotional Energy

How To Be Successful by Building Strategic Relationships in Law

Open Mic Arbitration: Launching a New Forum on Arbitration Trends

Why Pro Bono Still Matters in Legal

How to Leverage Global Connections to Grow Your Business

Get early access
to our community

Shape the future of legal

Apply as a moderator by filling and submitting this form.
We will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you. You can change your choice at any time by using the Manage consent link in this widget or by contacting us. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our Terms.

Get Early Access to our app

We will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you. You can change your choice at any time by using the Manage consent link in this widget or by contacting us. For more information about our privacy practices please visit our website. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our Terms.

Please fill out your details

We'll get back to you within 5 working days