FAU Researchers Investigate AI Integration into Legal Education
Germany’s legal education system is undergoing scrutiny, with calls for fundamental reform driven by rapid technological advancements. The Hamburg Protocol: AI Edition proposes concrete strategies for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into legal teaching practices. This thesis paper aims to contribute to the ongoing public discussion on legal reform by offering a new perspective focused on AI’s role in preparing future legal professionals.
Legal training faces the challenge of equipping graduates with the skills necessary to navigate a professional landscape increasingly reliant on generative AI. This highlights a significant gap between the pace of technological progress and traditional legal examinations, which often fail to reflect the realities of modern legal practice.
“AI gives us reason to focus on competencies that are neglected in our curriculum, which is overloaded with content and on our students as human individuals.”
Prof. Dr. Paulina Pesch, Professorship for Civil Law, Law of Digitalization, Data Protection and Artificial Intelligence
Discourse on the Reform of Law Studies
The authors of Hamburg Protocol: AI Edition seek to advance the existing dialogue among legal professionals, policymakers, examination boards, faculty, students, and legal tech companies. The thesis paper was authored by Prof. Dr. Michael Grünberger, President of Bucerius Law School, Prof. Dr. Tabea Bauermeister from the University of Regensburg, and Prof. Dr. Paulina Jo Pesch from FAU.
Prof. Dr. Michael Grünberger, LL.M. (NYU), President of Bucerius Law School: “Our job is to prepare law students for their future professional lives. No matter what area they will work in, AI will be an essential part of their work. We must therefore equip our students today with the necessary skills so that they can use AI responsibly – in their studies and in their careers.”
Prof. Dr. Tabea Bauermeister, BA, University of Regensburg: “After an initial phase that is primarily focused on homework and core work, it is time to broaden our perspective: We necessitate to reflect comprehensively on generative language models and law studies! Above all, we should ask ourselves which skills are now of crucial importance and how we can best teach them.”
Prof. Dr. Paulina Jo Pesch, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg: “Generative language models are functionally limited. This is precisely why students must learn to deal with technology in a critical, reflective and self-confident manner. This brings analytical-logical thinking, human creativity and social-communicative skills to the fore. AI gives us reason to focus on competencies that are neglected in the content-overloaded curriculum and on our students as human individuals.”
Implementable Ideas for Modern Studies
The thesis paper outlines specific ways to integrate AI-related skills into legal studies and training. These suggestions include:
- Expanding core legal competencies to include technology and communication skills.
- Developing teaching formats that critically and constructively engage with AI.
- Adapting and creating new examination formats.
These ideas were developed during a workshop held in December 2025 at Bucerius Law School, hosted by the private foundation university for the common fine and the Faculty of Law at the University of Hamburg. Participants included educators, researchers, students, and representatives from examination offices, the judiciary, legal practice, and legal tech companies.
Background to the Hamburg Protocols
Bucerius Law School has long been committed to reforming legal education. To foster public discussion, it released the first Hamburg Protocol in 2023, outlining key demands for reforming the first state examination. This initial paper called for reducing compulsory subject matter, integrating an integrated Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) into the exam course, establishing accessible contact points to resolve conflicts, and monitoring the first exam. The Hamburg Protocol: AI Edition builds on this work, offering concrete implementation suggestions.
More information about the Hamburg Protocols:
Further Information:
Bucerius Law School:
Désirée Balthasar, Pressereferentin
Tel: 0173 2770 976
desiree.balthasar@law-school.de
University of Regensburg:
Prof. Dr. Tabea Bauermeister
Tel: +49 941 943 2799
Tabea.Bauermeister@jura.uni-regensburg.de