Top City Law Firm Partner Warns Aspiring Lawyers Against ‘AI Inflation’ on CVs

• Ferdinand Mason, a White & Case M&A partner, warned aspiring lawyers against using AI to exaggerate their CVs for training contract applications.
• Mason observed applicants claiming extensive experience in multi-billion-pound deals after only brief vacation schemes.
• He advised candidates to detail genuine experiences and what they learned, rather than fabricating impressive but untrue claims.
• Mason suggested AI could be used for drafting refinement, but stressed applicants must be able to explain every CV claim in an interview.
• Despite concerns about AI exaggeration, some top law firms, including Ashurst, Shearman & Sterling, and Shoosmiths, permit AI use in applications if facts are not misrepresented.

The core message from the White & Case partner is that genuine learning and understanding are far more valuable than fabricated grandeur.

Ferdinand Mason, a global M&A partner at the prominent firm White & Case, has issued a significant warning to aspiring lawyers regarding the use of artificial intelligence in crafting their curriculum vitae. His caution comes after personally reviewing hundreds of applications from students vying for training contracts, many of which displayed what he termed "AI inflation." Mason highlighted a concerning trend where candidates claimed extensive involvement in multi-billion-pound transactions, despite having only spent a few weeks on a vacation scheme.

In a recent LinkedIn post, Mason specifically noted that "More than a few arrive with two full pages of M&A deals off the back of a few weeks on a vacation scheme." He further remarked on the implausibility of some claims, quipping, "Reading the roles claimed, you do wonder how the firm managed to keep the lights on before they arrived." This observation underscores a growing concern within legal recruitment about the authenticity of experience presented by applicants who leverage AI tools to "punch up" their professional documents.

Rather than resorting to AI-generated embellishments, Mason strongly advised candidates to present their actual experiences, even if the tasks performed seemed less glamorous. He suggested that detailing activities such as legal research, checking definitions, or quietly observing calls accurately reflects the reality of early career legal work and provides substantial material for discussion during interviews. The core message from the White & Case partner is that genuine learning and understanding are far more valuable than fabricated grandeur.

Mason emphasized that applicants should articulate what they genuinely learned from their experiences, rather than attempting to impress with seemingly extraordinary achievements. He provided an example: "If you understood why the client was happy to give away one warranty in the SPA but refused to budge an inch on another, tell us about that. You do not need to have led the negotiation to have picked up the commercial point behind it." This perspective encourages a focus on commercial acumen and critical thinking derived from real-world exposure, irrespective of the scale of the deal.

While cautioning against AI exaggeration in job applications, Ferdinand Mason did not advocate for a complete abandonment of artificial intelligence. Instead, he suggested that AI could be effectively utilized to "tidy up your drafts," implying its role as an editing or refinement tool rather than a content generator for experience. Crucially, he advised applicants to thoroughly review their CVs before submission, asking themselves if they could confidently elaborate on every claim made during an interview. This highlights the ethical responsibility of candidates to ensure the veracity of their submissions.

The use of AI in legal applications is not a novel phenomenon. A 2024 survey revealed that 21% of respondents had employed a large language model (LLM) to assist with their applications. Furthermore, several prominent legal firms, including Ashurst, Shearman & Sterling, and Shoosmiths, explicitly permit the use of AI in applications, provided that the skills and experiences presented are not misrepresented. Mason acknowledged the highly competitive nature of legal recruitment, likening it to "the Hunger Games," and empathized with applicants, recalling his own rejections and eventual start as a paralegal, noting that many on the hiring side remember needing an opportunity themselves.

This article highlights the ethical considerations and potential pitfalls of using AI to 'punch up' professional documents like CVs. While directly aimed at aspiring lawyers, the principle extends to all legal professionals: ensure that AI-generated content accurately reflects one's own experience and capabilities to maintain professional integrity and avoid misrepresentation, particularly in contexts like client pitches or regulatory submissions.

Source: Original reporting via Legal Cheek.