From typewriters to artificial intelligence: the evolution of legal practice and the promise of a more balanced future
João Valadas Coriel
VCA, Portugal
The practice of law, particularly in continental Europe, has long been rooted in structured legal codes, academic rigour and deep respect for doctrine. For many of us working in international legal matters, the contrast between our traditions and the rapidly evolving demands of global practice has become increasingly evident. Behind the solemnity of notarial deeds, multilanguage contracts and cross-border litigation lies a profession that has undergone a quiet but profound technological revolution. From the age of carbon-copy memos and couriers to the digital era of cloud-based case management and artificial intelligence (AI), legal practice is transforming. As we stand before the new frontier of generative AI, legal professionals – whether in solo practices, small partnerships or large international firms – must not only adapt but also embrace the promise of becoming more efficient, more effective and more human in the way we practise law.
The early days: dictation, typewriters and paper files
Across European jurisdictions, the legal profession has always relied on rigorous preparation and documentation. Whether in Lisbon, Milan or Vienna, law offices operated for decades with the support of skilled secretaries, often transcribing dictated letters and contracts. Drafting and revisions were physical and slow. Young lawyers spent long hours in court archives or legal libraries researching jurisprudence and doctrine manually.
The arrival of the electric typewriter was transformative, but revisions remained laborious. Fax machines, although revolutionary, were bound to fixed offices and regular business hours. Communications with international clients or authorities in other jurisdictions were often subject to postal delays, which affected the pace of cross-border practice.
Enter the digital age: from the desktop to the cloud
The arrival of personal computers in European law offices during the late 1980s and 1990s began to change workflows. Word processors allowed more flexibility in drafting. Legal research slowly shifted to digital databases, although many practitioners in civil law countries still rely heavily on printed codes and commentaries.
Email replaced letters and faxes, introducing unprecedented speed into client communications and negotiations. Laptops and mobile phones permitted more flexible working, even in traditionally formal firms. Gradually, the perception of the lawyer tethered to a physical archive began to fade.
With the rise of cloud computing and encrypted file-sharing platforms, cross-border collaboration became easier and more secure. International law firms began to harmonise tools across offices. Crucially, smaller firms and solo practitioners could access the same digital resources as their larger counterparts, reducing inequalities in access to information and tools.
The new frontier: artificial intelligence and legal insight
Today, we enter a new phase in the evolution of our profession. Generative AI models – capable of drafting, analysing, summarising and even reasoning – are already finding their way into law offices, court systems and administrative bodies.
While the use of AI in legal tech began with predictive coding and document review in litigation, we now see tools that can assist with comparative legal research, draft multilingual contracts or offer first drafts of client memoranda. When responsibly applied, these tools become an ally, not a threat.
For lawyers in international practices, AI’s ability to process multilingual content, identify divergences in national laws or generate harmonised texts represents a huge step forward. This technology can facilitate the work of those who navigate between legal cultures – civil, common, mixed – on a daily basis.
Overcoming skepticism: a call for inclusive adaptation
Understandably, the shift to AI raises questions, particularly among practitioners who began their careers in a different era. Concerns about the reliability of AI-generated content, ethical implications and data security are not only valid – they are essential. But resistance based on age or seniority must be challenged.
In continental Europe, where legal education and practice remain rigorous and often conservative, older lawyers may feel a gap widening. Yet the experience, cultural intelligence and judgment these lawyers offer cannot be replaced by technology. Instead, they should be enhanced by it.
AI tools are becoming increasingly intuitive. With modest training and open-mindedness, any lawyer can learn to work alongside AI. Continuing professional development, cross-generational mentorship and peer workshops can foster a culture of shared learning.
Far from replacing lawyers, AI should free us to focus on the parts of the job that require human judgment – negotiation, strategy, ethics and empathy.
Bridging the gap between small and big law firms
The ability to leverage AI is not the privilege of large international firms. On the contrary, AI has the potential to level the playing field between solo practitioners, boutique firms and global giants.
Tasks that once required large support teams – research, document review and language checking – can now be carried out more efficiently, enabling small firms to offer a high-quality, timely service. In cross-border matters, this means local practitioners can compete globally without losing their distinctiveness.
Looking ahead: a more balanced future
While the integration of AI into legal practice raises important questions about ethics, authorship and accuracy, it also invites us to reimagine what it means to be a lawyer. At its best, AI will not strip away the human element of law – it will enhance it.
By handling the routine, AI gives lawyers space to focus on the strategic and the personal. It enables us to be not only better legal professionals but also better colleagues, mentors and members of our communities.
The legal profession need not fear the future. Instead, we should embrace it with measured optimism and a commitment to continuous learning. Let us welcome AI not as a threat, but as a tool that empowers us to work smarter, live fuller lives and serve justice more effectively.
In this new era, success will not be defined by who has the biggest office or the largest team, but by who can adapt, collaborate and use technology to amplify their strengths. The tools are here. The playing field is leveling. The future is bright – and there is room for all of us in it.