For centuries, the legal profession has been built on deep knowledge, critical thinking, and the ability to outmaneuver opponents. But with the rise of artificial intelligence, a fundamental question arises: Is law school still a smart investment, or is AI reshaping the legal landscape to the point where traditional lawyers will become obsolete? The Changing Face of Legal Research One of the most time-consuming aspects of being a lawyer has always been legal research. It’s not enough to simply read statutes—an attorney must determine how appellate courts have interpreted those laws through precedent-setting cases. This process, known as Shepardizing, ensures that a case is still considered valid law by cross-referencing it with later rulings. In the past, this required trips to law libraries and hours of sifting through legal texts, case law, and citations. Today, AI-powered legal research tools can Shepardize cases instantly, providing up-to-date legal precedent and flagging any ru...