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22 www.canadianlawyermag.com TOP 25 MOST INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS 2025 Mentoring keeps leaders sharp, he says. "Teaching others forces you to articulate your knowledge clearly, stay current with evolving practices, and see familiar chal- lenges through fresh perspectives." McHenry agrees and sees mentorship as a way to sustain influence over time. "Find mentors, build community, get involved in pro bono work, and find your own path to success and happiness." A new era of legal influence Canada's legal profession is entering another turning point in how it defines legal talent and leadership. Thomson Reuters' Assie compares it to the rise of the billable hour in the 1960s. "That earlier shift occurred because legal practice had become sufficiently complex that time spent became the most reliable measure of value delivered," he says. "Today, technological advances are making legal practice dramatically more efficient." As AI and automation reduce the hours required to produce high-quality legal work, time is no longer the dominant measure of value. Lawyers are increasingly judged by what they deliver. "Outcomes achieved, problems solved, and relationships built will take precedence," says Assie. That turn is also shaped by generational change. "Generation Z brings distinctly different expectations and capabilities that influential lawyers must understand and embrace." From hybrid work to AI literacy, younger lawyers view flexibility and mental health as prerequisites. Those who resist these expec- tations risk losing influence in their firms and across the profession. The most influential lawyers are those who combine deep legal knowledge with human connection, and lead with: • emotional intelligence • strong communication • relationship-building • leadership capabilities These are not traits that can be outsourced or automated, and they're fast becoming the legal profession's new standard. KEY DRIVERS OF CHANGE Market expansion Canada's legal services market is on track to expand at a 4.5 percent CAGR through 2030, hitting US$35.4 billion. Litigation remains the largest segment, while corporate and commercial law has grown fastest. In 2024, Canada accounted for 2.6 percent of global legal revenue. Legal tech growth Canada's legal technology sector was valued at US$714.6 million in 2023. It's expected to hit US$1.26 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 8.4 percent as firms continue investing in automation, data analytics, and AI-enhanced tools. Generative AI uptake GenAI use doubled in 2024, with 26–28 per- cent of legal professionals incorporating it into their workflow. Adoption is projected to rise again throughout 2025, as firms explore ever ything from research to drafting support. Regulatory guardrails on AI Courts are already issuing guidance and, in some cases, penalties over the misuse of GenAI. Inaccurate citations and halluci- nated content have prompted new federal rules requiring human oversight and full disclosure in AI-generated legal documents. Specialization in demand Clients are increasingly looking for niche expertise across AI regulation, cybersecurity, environmental law, and Indigenous and recon- ciliation law. These areas are fast becoming growth engines for Canadian legal practices, particularly in response to ESG and public policy complexity. Cybersecurity litigation risk Norton Rose Fulbright's 2025 Litiga- tion Trends survey found that 36 percent of legal departments reported a rise in cybersecurity and data privacy litiga- tion last year, more than any other area. Nearly half expect continued exposure in 2025, while another third anticipate further increases. "Whether I'm in court representing a parent or writing about legal ethics and technology, I try to be thoughtful and practical, to bring clarity, integrity, and compassion. If that work has helped others do the same, I'm grateful" Fraser MacLean, MacLean Law SPECIAL REPORT