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There has been a great proliferation of lawyers in the pat…

“There has been a great proliferation of lawyers in the pat 20 years, just as there has been a proliferation of computers. But unlike computers, lawyers do not get twice as intelligent and half as expensive every two years.” quote by Edward Burns
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“There has been a great proliferation of lawyers in the pat 20 years, just as there has been a proliferation of computers. But unlike computers, lawyers do not get twice as intelligent and half as expensive every two years.”

Edward Burns

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The surge in lawyers mirrors tech growth, yet legal expertise lacks the rapid cost‑efficiency gains seen in computers.

In simple terms: Lawyers increase without proportional productivity gains.

Key Takeaway

Legal profession lags behind tech in scaling intelligence vs cost.

Themes

professional growth technology analogy cost efficiency expertise scaling market dynamics

Mood

critical skeptical

Type

analytical observational

When to use this quote

  • law firm hiring decisions
  • policy debates on legal services
  • business budgeting for counsel
  • academic discussions on profession trends

Key Concepts

lawyer supply computer advancement productivity paradox economic comparison

Practical Applications

  • reforming legal education
  • leveraging AI to reduce costs

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can the legal field emulate tech's cost reductions?
  • What structural changes could boost lawyer productivity?
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