Hi all,

I have a question that I would love hearing your thoughts on. I recently got a job offer from a wonderful law firm. I also recently applied to the Oxford MJur and Cambridge LLM programs. Studying at one of these universities has legitimately been a lifelong ambition of mine. If this happened 6 months ago, I would definitely have preferred going to Oxbridge over starting at this law firm, just because Oxbridge has been a dream of mine forever and I am still quite young, so I’m not in a rush to start working.

HOWEVER, recent developments have scared me a lot. I’m mostly talking about ChatGPT, and to a lesser extent the weakening world economy. I am deadly afraid of automation, and I truly believe many lawyers are at risk of being replaced by AI. I feel legal research and drafting (which constitutes a large part of being a lawyer, especially a junior lawyer) is very close to being automated already. That is why I am extremely apprehensive about not entering the job market for another 1.5-2 years. I have a feeling now is the final good opportunity to enter the work force, because I feel a big, big revolution is coming to rock the world. That’s why I am strongly considering just withdrawing my LLM applications and starting work ASAP.

Is anyone else having these fears or is it just me? When I ask lawyers about this, they practically laugh in my face, but my more tech savvy friends seem much more afraid of automation. I’ve never been this afraid in my life to be honest. What do you guys think?

Hey, it is not just you but I also maybe encountered the same experience about whether I should stay in the industry or pursue my higher education.

I do think that you should talk with some seniors in your country about whether your interested firms do value the degree or not. On the contrary, I do think that studying in the prestigious, Oxbridge, should be the first doorstep for you in London's firm although the competition in the legal market is bold. If I were you, I would reject an offer and study at these universities. Wait to see the result first: whether you are accepted or not. Otherwise, you can still keep your job. There are no binding obligations on your duration at the firm right? Then, go ahead. If you can talk to them about coming back after your study, you can just try. 

Do not worry about the tech much. In order to operate the system, lawyers cannot be completely replaced, by AI. Machine learning still requires legal input from lawyers. Lawyers are needed in almost every companies. You will hardly be unemployed. 

[Edited by p on Feb 03, 2023]

take the job for sure. its very hard to find a job in law these days, let alone one you like. quench your thirst for university stuff by going to some talks, union and debates?

Ask the firm to defer the job to a year later and explain how your Oxbridge degree would add value when you start?