Australia's Young Lawyers Embrace AI: A Compliance Crisis Unfolds

Nearly half of Gen Z workers in Australia are using generative AI at work. Only 14% have received any formal training on how to use it properly. In most industries, that's a skills gap worth addressing. In law, though, it's a compliance crisis waiting to happen. Young solicitors and barristers are entering the profession as digital natives, comfortable with technology and quick to adopt new tools. They are leaning on AI for legal research, document drafting, and client communications, often without clear guidance on the associated risks. While their efficiency and adaptability should be celebrated, the absence of structured AI training is creating serious vulnerabilities that firms should address proactively. ​​The ethical obligations are clear and non-negotiable. Under state-based conduct rules, lawyers must maintain client confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest and provide competent representation. Using AI tools without understanding their limitations may compromise all three duties.