In a one-question interview the past week, Agile Market Intelligence asked 101 lawyers: “What worries you most about the business and practice of law in FY26?” The responses show that technology, particularly AI, is front of mind, but lawyers also expressed concerns about external pressures, regulation, and the culture of the profession itself.
Key stats you need to know
- 41% of lawyers said AI adoption and evolution is their biggest concern.
- 26% pointed to the economic and geopolitical environment.
- 22% highlighted the regulatory environment.
- 11% selected “Other”, with concerns ranging from workplace culture to funding for community legal centres.
AI adoption and evolution was cited by more than four in ten respondents (41%), making it the top concern for the new fiscal year. Lawyers are concerned about how this new technology might reshape the profession and how to deal with security risks associated with AI use.
Economic and geopolitical uncertainty was also a significant concern, with one in four (26%) pointing to the impact of global instability on legal practice. Meanwhile, regulatory pressure remains a consistent challenge for over one in five respondents (22%), highlighting the burden of compliance and the risk of shifting legal frameworks.
The “Other” category (11% of respondents) revealed a diverse set of worries. These included competition and toxic workplace culture, declining professional standards, funding shortfalls in community legal centres, and difficulties in generating ongoing business. Some also raised social equity issues and the challenges of adapting to new work practices such as remote work.
“AI has captured the most attention, but the reality is lawyers are managing pressures on multiple fronts,” said Michael Johnson, Director at Agile Market Intelligence. “The mix of concerns, from global markets to office culture and funding, shows a profession that feels stretched, not just by technology but by the broader environment it operates in.”
About the research
Agile Market Intelligence’s ‘Instant Answers’ program delivers rapid, focused insights by asking our research community a single-question survey, giving professionals the chance to share their views on current issues and concerns.
This edition is based on survey responses from Agile Market Intelligence’s Legal Insights panel, collected between 14 and 19 of August 2025, where 101 practising legal professionals across Australia shared their sentiments about the business and practice of law for FY26.
