Professor Wins Case Using AI—No Lawyer Needed

Gregory Baker never hired a lawyer, but he didn't face his employer alone either.

The computing professor at Macquarie University just won a landmark case at Australia's Fair Work Commission, becoming the first person to successfully use AI tools to represent himself in a legal dispute. An AI tool even alerted him that he might have a case in the first place.

Baker had been teaching computer science on a casual contract from 2023 to 2025. In November 2025, he notified the university that he believed his work pattern qualified him to convert to permanent part-time employment under new labor reforms passed in 2024.

When the university declined, Baker took them to tribunal in December. He couldn't afford a lawyer, so he assembled what he called an "AI legal team" using paid tools like ChatGPT Pro.

The AI agents helped him research legal references, build his argument, and anticipate what his employer might say. He kept his case narrow and focused, zeroing in on teaching he'd done in one specific unit. On May 12, the case went to arbitration, and last week, he won.

Baker's victory stands out partly because of his unique advantages. His IT background meant he knew exactly how to optimize AI agents for legal work, avoiding the rambling, unfocused arguments that often plague AI-assisted cases.

The Fair Work Commission also helped level the playing field. Unlike traditional courts, it's designed to be user-friendly so workers can bring claims without lawyers.

The Ripple Effect

Baker's win matters beyond his own employment status. In Australia, most people fall into what experts call the "missing middle." They earn too much to qualify for free legal aid but can't afford private lawyers when problems arise.

AI tools won't replace human lawyers anytime soon, especially for complex cases. But for people with narrow legal disputes and decent digital skills, these technologies are removing traditional barriers to justice.

Courts and tribunals are already seeing the impact. Fair Work Commission workload has reportedly jumped 70 percent over three years as more people file claims themselves. Not all these cases are strong, and judges are struggling with the volume.

Professor Genevieve Grant from Monash University points out the bigger questions ahead. Who will benefit most from AI-powered access to justice? How will courts balance managing heavier caseloads with delivering fair outcomes?

For now, Baker's case proves something significant: the right person with the right tools and the right kind of problem can win without spending thousands on legal fees.