I’m leading the largest global law firm as AI transforms the legal profession. Lawyers must double down on this one skill

From an analytical perspective, Ary·LeadershipI’m leading the largest global law firm as AI transforms the legal fession

Lawyers must double down on this one skillBy Kate BartonBy Kate Barton Kate Barton is Global CEO of Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm

Kate Barton says law firms should emphasize what AI cannot commoditize (which is quite significant)

Courtesy of DentonsHow does a law firm “win”

Additionally, Efficiency

As the AI boom begins to settle and we see its integration across the legal industry, these qualities may no longer be the North Star (an important development), in today's market environment

Additionally, Artificial intelligence is transforming the legal fession; today’s lawyers have access to a wide range of tools to review documents, summarize case law, and even draft contracts, given current economic conditions

This analysis suggests that exciting new era has captured our attention as we all look for ways to work more efficiently for our clients, in this volatile climate

But, according to Thomson Reuters’ Future of fessionals Report, AI is jected to free up only five hours per week for the average legal fessional (quite telling)

This's a revealing figure and worthy of exploration

It's early days yet and this figure will surely change and ly grow

Moreover, On the other hand, That said, for all of AI’s cessing power, the core of the legal fession still demands distinctly human capabilities—judgment, persuasion, empathy, and trust

The modest time savings are not a failure of AI but a reflection of the true nature of client needs and high-quality lawyering, given the current landscape

Market analysis shows 's where the true competitive edge lies: emotional intelligence (EQ)

EQ relies on our ability to look at more than just facts

Furthermore, It’s aligning different perspectives, building bridges toward your goals, and doing so with diplomacy and tact

Additionally, Where does the time go (an important development)

AI can easily handle the mechanics of law: lining document analysis, automating routine contract drafting, and supporting decision-making, given current economic conditions

Conversely, AI’s ability to quickly parse through mountains of data is undeniable, but what makes a lawyer truly indispensable goes further than pure cessing power (noteworthy indeed)

Furthermore, Nevertheless, Our clients operate in a global market full of uncertainty

Our role as legal fessionals is to guide them through the grey area where law intersects with human behavior, priorities, and cultural context

For this, clients don’t need answers, they need perspectives

The outcome of a deal can often turn on nuance, tone, and timing rather than facts alone

However, It's in these moments that EQ, rather than IQ, takes the lead

Between navigating boardroom tensions, advising through ambiguity, and connecting people from across different cultures, much of a lawyer’s time is spent on high-EQ activities (something worth watching)

Here, AI can support but certainly not lead, amid market uncertainty

As artificial intelligence becomes more widely used, client value will be increasingly anchored to what AI cannot commoditize

One of my mentors, who has enjoyed an incredibly successful career, often tells me that is meant to be a “win-win, given the current landscape. ” By which he means that the and its customers should both benefit from a transaction (an important development)

This analysis suggests that apach emphasizes collaboration and mutual satisfaction rather than solely focusing on maximizing the fit from the

It means finding solutions where everyone involved feels they have gained something positive from the interaction, fostering long-term relationships and positive outcomes (an important development)

At the same time, To take a “win-win” apach, lawyers need strong EQ skills: Can they read a room

Moreover, Do they ly understand what both sides are looking for

Additionally, Can they thread the needle to make a solution work well for both sides

On the other hand, This takes strong EQ

Additionally, How do we get ahead

Firms need to invest in the development of emotional intelligence in their workforce as heavily as they do in nology, given current economic conditions

Moreover, AI has begun to level the playing field in terms of efficiency, but strong EQ skills will help a lawyer to stand out from the crowd

That starts by in emotional intelligence at every level—from client service to talent development

Moreover, EQ must be reframed not as a soft skill, but as a core competency for any successful lawyer

Moreover, First, training should be embedded from the very beginning of legal education

It's essential that EQ become a running thread throughout the mentorship cess, leadership development, and even considered during performance evaluations

Fortunately, EQ is a learned skill; it can be honed and refined by anyone, at any stage in their career

At Dentons, our teams are already encouraged to develop their emotional intelligence through a range of dedicated online and instructor-led classes and our annual mentorship gram

Second, leaders must model vulnerability

This isn’t something a lot of star partners are used to doing, but it is essential if we are to showcase emotional intelligence as a strength to build, not a weakness to overcome

To me, an example of vulnerability means changing the course of direction if you realize the original path is not optimal

I have seen leaders be vulnerable when they are trying to help both sides achieve a win-win—giving up something so that the greater good prevails, amid market uncertainty

At the same time, This takes courage and strong EQ

Lastly, we need to consider what success means in a world enhanced by AI

Additionally, Yes, winning matters (quite telling)

But so does building trust, handling conflict, and strengthening client relationships

Additionally, Reclaiming these “intangibles” as success factors will allow our people to shine

The legal industry has always been more than just knowledge

It’s judgment, relationships, and persuasion, given the current landscape

Nevertheless, All of these are distinctly human skills

While AI may be able to replace some of the marginal duties performed by a lawyer, it will never replace the connection, understanding, and expertise a successful fessional brings to every relationship

Coupling the power of AI with emotional awareness and intellect will separate those who truly understand the nature of the legal industry from those who seek only to make efficiencies

In this new era, success will not be granted to those who outsmart a machine but to those who know when to stop analyzing and start empathizing (fascinating analysis), considering recent developments

Nevertheless, Meanwhile, The opinions expressed in Fortune

Com ary pieces are solely the views of their and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune

Read more: Will AI hold up in court

Attorneys say it’s already changing the practice of law Thomson Reuters CEO: How AI will change law firms AI is replacing human connection as it boosts ductivity, amid market uncertainty

Explore this year's list, in this volatile climate.