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Title: Age is Just a Number? Examining the Longevity of Legal Careers

Morton J. Shuman, a 91-year-old attorney in Framingham, Massachusetts, continues to run a bustling law office. The article highlights Shuman’s dedication to his clients, his pioneering role in personal injury law, and his refusal to retire. But how unusual is this? Is Shuman an outlier, or is there a broader trend of experienced attorneys remaining in practice longer?

Shuman's story is compelling. Losing his father at a young age due to a traffic accident profoundly shaped his career. He initially worked on the defense side, learning how insurance companies evaluate claims before dedicating himself to representing injured workers and individuals. He even played a pivotal role in a landmark case, DeOliveira, which expanded benefits for injured workers, including specialized housing.

The Data on Attorney Longevity

Anecdotes are useful, but let's look at the broader picture. The American Bar Association (ABA) doesn't track the precise age of actively practicing attorneys, which is a data gap in itself. However, demographic trends within the legal profession offer some clues. According to the ABA's National Lawyer Population Survey, the average age of lawyers has been steadily increasing. In 1980, the median age was around 39; now, it's closer to 46. That's a significant shift.

While the median age tells us something, it doesn't reveal how many attorneys are working well into their 70s, 80s, or even 90s, like Shuman. We have to infer that by looking at the distribution of lawyers by age bracket. The percentage of lawyers over the age of 65 has more than doubled in the past two decades. This suggests that more attorneys are choosing to extend their careers, or perhaps needing to extend their careers.

A key question is: why? Are attorneys working longer out of financial necessity, a genuine passion for the law, or a combination of both? Shuman himself cites "compassion" as his primary motivator. But that's a self-reported reason; the reality could be more complex.

The Impact of AI and Automation

The rise of AI in legal practice, as highlighted by CoCounsel Legal, adds another layer of complexity. These tools promise to automate time-consuming tasks, potentially allowing older attorneys to remain competitive and productive for longer. CoCounsel claims attorneys save up to eight hours per day using their AI-powered tools. While that number should be taken with a grain of salt (marketing materials often exaggerate), even a fraction of that time savings could be significant. Professional-grade AI for personal injury lawyers

Consider this: an attorney in their 70s might struggle to keep up with the demands of modern legal practice without assistance. But with AI handling document review, legal research, and drafting, they can focus on strategy, client relationships, and mentoring younger lawyers. This could explain, in part, the increasing number of senior attorneys remaining in the workforce.

I've looked at hundreds of these AI-in-law reports, and there is always a "cost savings" angle, but I'm skeptical that AI-driven efficiency is the only factor at play here. It's more likely a confluence of factors: improved health, longer lifespans, financial pressures, and the availability of technology that can mitigate the challenges of aging.

So What Does This Mean for the Future of Law?

Shuman's story, combined with the broader demographic and technological trends, paints a picture of a changing legal landscape. We're likely to see more experienced attorneys remaining in practice longer, leveraging AI to maintain their productivity and competitiveness.

But this raises some important questions. Will this trend create opportunities for younger lawyers, or will it lead to increased competition and a slower career progression? Will the focus shift from physical labor to experience and strategy? And will the definition of "retirement" itself change within the legal profession?

The Graying of the Gavel

The legal field isn't immune to the broader aging trends in society. Shuman is an inspiring example, but his longevity likely reflects a larger shift—one where experience, technology, and evolving societal needs intersect.