The FutureLaw Founders: Valentin Feklistov and Alex Bitskov

Hey there Legal Rebels! 👋This is the thirteenth episode of the 2024 season of the LawDroid Manifesto podcast, where I will be interviewing key legal innovators to learn how they do what they do.If you want to understand how a small country like Estonia has become a global leader in legal innovation and technology, you need to listen to this episode. Valentin Feklistov and Alex Bitskov, the co-founders of FutureLaw, are at the forefront of driving change in the legal industry and have unique insights into the future of law.Revolutionizing Legal Innovation: Insights from Estonia's FutureLaw FoundersJoin me as I sit down with Valentin Feklistov and Alex Bitskov, the visionary co-founders behind FutureLaw, the largest legal innovation conference in Northern Europe.In this captivating podcast episode, Valentin and Alex take us on a journey through the inception and growth of FutureLaw, sharing their passion for driving change in the legal industry. They discuss how Estonia's progressive technology landscape has provided the perfect backdrop for their groundbreaking event, attracting legal professionals and innovators from around the globe.Valentin and Alex also delve into their own entrepreneurial venture, LEGID, a legal tech startup aiming to revolutionize the way lawyers and clients connect. They share insights on the evolving role of AI in legal services and the importance of maintaining a human touch in the face of automation.This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of law and the impact of technology on the legal profession. Valentin and Alex's infectious enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge make for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion that will leave you inspired to embrace innovation in your own legal journey.The SkinnyIn this episode, Tom Martin interviews Valentin Feklistov and Alex Bitskov about how they organized FutureLaw, the largest legal innovation conference in Northern Europe, and how Estonia has positioned itself as one of the most technologically progressive countries in the world.Key Takeaways:* FutureLaw 2024 was a two-day conference in Tallinn, Estonia with around 400 attendees from 40 countries, 25 sessions, and 9 workshops. The venue at the Tallinn cruise terminal provided ample space for networking.* Estonia has been at the forefront of digital innovation, with initiatives like e-residency allowing foreign businesses to establish companies online, and using blockchain technology for government records and voting. This has helped attract foreign investment and grow Estonia's economy.* Valentin and Alex founded the legal tech startup LEGID, a marketplace connecting lawyers and clients with automation tools. They pivoted from B2C to focus more on the B2B market.* AI is seen more as an assistant for lawyers rather than a replacement. The emphasis is on providing accurate data to power AI while maintaining the human element in legal services. Data and AI accuracy are expected to be major topics at FutureLaw 2025.* Organizing FutureLaw has expanded Valentin and Alex's professional network and visibility significantly. They hope it continues to bring together legal innovators to drive change in the industry.The interview provides an insightful look at how Valentin Feklistov and Alex Bitskov have helped establish Estonia as a hub for legal innovation through their startup Legit and the FutureLaw conference. As FutureLaw continues to grow, it aims to attract more international attendees, especially from the U.S., and foster discussions on key topics shaping the future of legal technology.I would also like to thank Holger Zscheyge for connecting me with Valentin and Alex in the first place and acknowledge the contributions of European Legal Technology Association (ELTA) and TalTech – Tallinn University of Technology toward making the conference possible.Need Your FeedbackPlease share your thoughts. Did you enjoy it? Not so much? What other guests or topics would you like to hear about? Tell me in the comments!By the way, if you’d like to learn more about how how AI works and how it will impact the legal profession, you should apply to LawDroid University!My NEW 5-part webinar series, Generative AI for Lawyers: Empowering Solos and Small Law Firms, is now available at LawDroid University.LawDroid University is available for free for everyone to use.* Free to use - It's 100% free educational content for everyone, just sign up below.* Insightful - Get educated about the intersection of artificial intelligence and the law as taught by experts.* Value Packed - Filled with videos, summaries, key takeaways, quotable quotes, transcripts and more! 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