Orrick Deploys AI Deposition Simulator for Associate Training as Firms Rethink 13th-Century Apprenticeship
Updated
Updated · Financial Times · Jul 17
Orrick Deploys AI Deposition Simulator for Associate Training as Firms Rethink 13th-Century Apprenticeship
1 articles · Updated · Financial Times · Jul 17
Summary
Orrick is training associates with DepoSim, an AI deposition simulator built by AltaClaro and Verbit that uses AI agents as witnesses, opposing counsel and court reporters.
AI is replacing routine legal work such as document review and contract drafting, pushing firms to find new ways to teach judgment, verification and other skills once learned through junior-level tasks.
Orrick says the goal is not to sideline junior lawyers but to make AI-native associates central to the shift, while teaching "healthy scepticism" because AI can still produce biased, incorrect or fabricated output.
Human coaching remains part of the model: partners review AI-generated work with associates and run group simulations, which Orrick argues preserves the apprenticeship approach without the old drudgery.
The move fits a broader overhaul of legal training, as firms have already shifted from informal mentoring to structured programmes and now face pressure to preserve attention to detail and emotional intelligence in the AI era.
As AI automates junior “grunt work,” how will new lawyers develop the critical judgment this work traditionally taught?
As law firms race to adopt AI, what is the true cost of a single AI error in a high-stakes legal case?
Is 'emotional intelligence' the final human firewall in law, or just the next skill AI is learning to simulate?
97% of Attorneys Endorse AI-Powered Deposition Training: How DepoSim Is Transforming Legal Education in 2026
Overview
By 2026, the legal industry is undergoing a major transformation as leading law firms adopt AI-powered training solutions like AltaClaro's DepoSim. This shift marks a move away from traditional, resource-intensive training methods and signals a new era in legal professional development. DepoSim, developed in partnership with Verbit, offers highly realistic, on-demand deposition practice for attorneys. Its adoption by top firms highlights the growing importance of advanced, scalable technology in building practical legal skills, making attorney training more efficient and effective than ever before.