Technology that solves real legal problems

Nita Sanger is an integral part of legal innovation in the US. Her on-the-ground experience as Chief Strategy Officer of Integra Ledger, which provides blockchain technology for legal software, is matched by her role as Executive Director of the Global Legal Hackathon. Her dual roles allow her an insight into the latest ideas in development, while expanding the capability and reach of Integra Ledger.

Nita thinks exponential technologies – including artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things – have reached an inflection point that will significantly impact professional services.

“Firms are now able to automate standardised repeatable tasks, enabling legal professionals to spend more time on value-added tasks,” observed Nita. As a blockchain provider for the legal profession, Integra Ledger offers ‘digital trust’ for all legal document transactions across the industry.

“Personally, the focus on innovation has been very interesting,” said Nita. “Junior associates will take up tools to make their work more efficient, with machines doing mundane repetitive tasks. This will allow junior associates to focus on more value-added tasks currently performed by senior partners.”

The end of the pyramid legal career

Threats to firms, however, appear on multiple fronts.

“The pyramid structure featuring an apprenticeship model will likely become less relevant,” Nita said, noting that machines, outsourcing or alternate legal service providers will assume the bulk of junior-level work. “Law firms will need to think of other ways to provide their lawyers with the experience possessed by senior lawyers.”

In this new environment, corporate clients are less likely willing to pay for tasks which could be moved in-house or outsourced, putting more pressure on the traditional firm cost structure. Senior lawyers will be valued and paid for their expertise and advice on complex matters.

Amazon and Uber for law

“We are already starting to see online platforms assisting small firms and individuals access justice. Should these technologies evolve, these online platforms could move upstream. We may see online markets similar to an Amazon for the legal profession or Uber-like services connecting demand and supply,” predicted Nita.

“Artificial intelligence will likely evolve to be much more customised and value-added,” Nita said. “All legal documents will be on blockchain, with potentially all document drafting becoming voice-enabled, significantly self-generating, and using AI.”

Increasingly, analytics will be applied to judgements and cases to give clients and lawyers and clearer assessment of success or failure before proceedings.

Dealing with constant change

To excel in the law, Nita thinks that lawyers are going to need the ability and willingness to deal with constant change. No longer will they be able to solely rely on experience and extensive knowledge of legal precedent.

“Technology will take away some of the advantages of experience,” said Nita. “Lawyers will need to constantly learn new technologies and understand the risks and impacts not just on the business of law, but also the practise of law. Change management skills and courses could be very helpful.”

“Based on discussions with a number of the law schools and students, my understanding is that the education system does not adequately prepare students to be ‘practice ready’ when they enter the profession,” Nita said. “My advice to students would be to get hands on experience in some of the new tools and technologies that are being used by the industry when they are in school. They could potentially attend events like hackathons, which give them a hands-on experience with innovation.”

CLI critical to preparing the profession