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July 20, 2026

Reinventing the legal apprenticeship: Learning through human interaction remains critical as the sector embraces AI

We're thrilled to share that AltaClaro has been featured in the Financial Times in a thought-provoking piece exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way law firms develop legal talent. The article examines a shift that has been centuries in the making — from the traditional apprenticeship model dating back to the 13th century, through the professionalization of law firm training in the 1990s, and now into a new era where AI is transforming both what young lawyers learn and how they learn it. As firms rethink talent development, tools that blend technology with human mentorship are taking center stage.

At the heart of the FT's coverage is DepoSim, AltaClaro's AI-powered deposition simulator, developed in partnership with legal transcription provider Verbit. DepoSim uses AI agents to play the roles of witnesses, opposing counsel, and court reporters — giving associates a realistic, hands-on environment to sharpen their deposition skills before stepping into a real one. The article highlights how Orrick is already leveraging DepoSim to train its associates, integrating it into a broader talent development strategy that recognizes the unique value of AI-native junior lawyers.

What makes this feature especially meaningful is the FT's recognition that technology alone isn't the answer. As Orrick's Siobhan Handley notes in the piece, DepoSim is most powerful when used alongside partner-led mentorship — "a partner and an associate reviewing an AI product together." This is exactly the vision behind AltaClaro's approach: preserving the time-honored apprenticeship model while equipping the next generation of lawyers with the AI fluency, judgment, and healthy skepticism they'll need to thrive in a rapidly evolving profession.


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