Early career experiences in legal innovation

In this episode we speak with Lucy Dillon, senior Legal Knowledge and Innovation Consultant, and Michaela Hanzelova, trainee solicitor at Reed Smith who has worked on a number of projects in the firm’s “Innovation Hub”. Lucy speaks about how innovation in the delivery of legal service needs to be a key focus for law firms now, and also talks about the positive impact this can have in terms of a firm’s relationships with its clients.   In addition, Michaela talks about her early experiences working with the Reed Smith Innovation Engagement team led by Lucy and Alex Smith, and later by Adam Curphey, reflects on the different skills built during these projects and, importantly, how some of the projects helped her to ask different questions of herself and her clients (both internal colleagues and external clients).  Lucy and Michaela also reflect on what this means for the skill-sets of future lawyers, the importance of a strong basis of legal knowledge, and how such early placements and formative experiences in areas of a firm such as an “Innovation Hub” can enrich your perspectives of legal practice and your career!  Action for listeners: ·         Think of one of your favourite suppliers and the service they deliver to you.  Now think: “And if they could no longer deliver it in that way, how might they supply it differently?”