Innovation in the legal sector

In this episode, the ReImagineLaw team are joined by Cathy Goodman, Lead Practice Innovation and Knowledge Counsel, Paul Hastings LLP.  Cathy speaks about her own career pathway from qualifying as a solicitor to teaching law, and then developing expertise in the new technologies which law firms are adopting to deliver service to clients in a more efficient and effective way. Cathy explains why law firms are increasingly looking to experiment with new technologies in their service delivery and gives some examples of how new tools are helpful in the types of legal work carried out by different departments of a firm.  Also, Cathy explains where pioneering work is being done by the Law Commission in areas such as the e-signing of documents and digital signatures. We also explore with Cathy what the “next frontier” of these new ways of delivering legal service looks like – not just in terms of the range of technology tools which are available, but also the mind-sets and skill-sets which will be needed to see this tech-enabled legal service provision become the norm in the future. Actions for listeners:·       Reflect for 5 minutes on: “What legal processes do you think could benefit from the adoption of technology?”       What do you see law firms talking about in terms of where they are using technology? Check the websites of two firms and compare their approaches.       Check the skill-sets now being considered for lawyers of the future (the “O-Shaped” Lawyer initiative as one example, a group set up by clients of law firms to discuss what skills they would like lawyers to possess). Useful Resources:       The Law Commission’s work on the electronic execution of documents: https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/electronic-execution-of-documents/.        The Law Commission’s work on smart contracts: https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/smart-contracts/·       HM Land Registry: electronic execution of deeds: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/execution-of-deeds/practice-guide-8-execution-of-deeds      Potential growth in legal technology: https://news.crunchbase.com/news/legaltech-hypergrowth-legalzoom-startups-venture-raj-goyle-onit/       Legal technology trends to watch in 2022: https://www.clio.com/blog/legal-technology-trends/       The “O-Shaped Lawyer” skillsets.