Nagpur: The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession is reshaping courtroom practices and triggering concerns over the future of young lawyers, with demands for a govt-backed stipend emerging as a central issue in the upcoming District Aar Association (DBA) elections.As AI tools increasingly simplify petition drafting and legal research, senior practitioners are relying less on junior lawyers, reducing internship opportunities for fresh entrants. The shift has begun to impact earnings and training prospects for newcomers, prompting calls for a structured stipend to support them during their early years, as per the junior lawyers.The issue has gained traction ahead of the April 24 elections of DBA, where campaigning has traditionally revolved around factional politics. This year, however, young lawyers appear more inclined toward candidates addressing professional challenges rather than group loyalties.“AI has created difficulties for new lawyers. It has become harder for them to get internship opportunities with senior advocates. Even if they do, the remuneration is not adequate,” said former DBA president Kamal Satuja, underlining the urgency of the stipend demand.The election atmosphere at the district court has intensified, with candidates for key posts, including president and secretary, actively canvassing support. While factional alignments continue to play a role, many voters are pressing candidates to focus on long-standing infrastructural and professional issues.Among the concerns raised are the lack of adequate seating arrangements for young lawyers despite expansion of court buildings, persistent parking shortages in the court premises, and poor maintenance of sanitation facilities, particularly women’s restrooms. Lawyers have urged candidates to prioritise these issues over internal political rivalries.A section of the bar has also expressed the need for leadership that goes beyond symbolic representation. Some lawyers said they were looking for “a strong and responsive face” rather than a “rubber stamp” leadership that fails to act during crises.The election will see a multi-cornered contest for the president’s post, with candidates including former secretary Nitin Deshmukh, former president Prakash Jaiswal, former secretary Manoj Sable, along with Rajesh Nayak, Tarun Parmar and Sunil Lacharkar. For the secretary’s post, Anil Gulhane, Amit Band, Ashish Shende, Nitin Rude and Ashish Kataria are in the fray. Polling is scheduled for April 24, with counting and results to be announced on April 25. The prominence of the stipend issue reflects a broader shift within the legal profession, where technological change is beginning to redefine entry-level roles and economic stability, forcing institutions and policymakers to respond, the DBA members said.
