Legal Innovation

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MID-TIER LAW FIRMS LEGAL INNOVATION Tech can save the Distributed in squeezed middle

Published in association with Technology can be the lifeline to rescue middle-ranking law firms, facing increased competition and squeezed profit margins

Event partner

CONTRIBUTORS DAN HAYES partnerships with legal tech companies and raise awareness of their ith the recent cine- potential among the firm’s staff. CATHERINE BAKSI MARTIN BARROW matic successes of This programme contributed to its Former barrister and Former news editor, Churchill, Dunkirk winning the award for the Best Use Law Society Gazette foreign news editor and Images Maskot/Getty reporter, she is a business news editor at and Darkest Hour, the of Technology at last year’s British freelance journalist The Times, he is now a Wyear 1940 appears to be very much Legal Awards. writing for a broad range freelance writer. in vogue. Mishcon recently invested in two of law titles. The legal profession may be fol- of the six firms that were part of lowing the trend, it seems, with MDR LAB, Everchron, a litigation DAVID BENADY DAN HAYES a recent Thomson Reuters report management software outfit, and Specialist writer on Legal affairs journalist, technology, marketing, he has worked for The comparing law firms’ attitudes to Ping, whose product automates advertising and media, Law Society Gazette and change with that of the creators of timekeeping for lawyers. he contributes to national The Global Legal Post. the Maginot Line, France’s suppos- Nick West, Mishcon’s chief tech- newspapers and business edly impregnable Second World War nology officer, says: “We’re not publications. defence structure that proved rap- a venture capital firm; we’re not idly obsolete when faced with the investing money for the sake of it, BEN ROSSI SOORAJ SHAH German Wehrmacht’s Blitzkrieg but by investing we not only stand Editorial director at Contributing editor at Vitesse Media, and New Statesman Tech, and paratroopers. the chance of financial upside, but formerly editor of he regularly writes for Entitled the 2018 Report on the we get to be more influential about Information Age and Computing, IT Pro and a State of the Legal Market the pub- how the companies develop over the Computer News Middle number of other business lication, produced in conjunction next year or two.” East, he writes for technology publications. with Georgetown University in the A similar approach can be national newspapers and business publications. United States, warns: “Flat demand seen at Cambridge-based Taylor for law firm services, declining Vinters, which in recent years has profit margins, weakening collec- tancy Jomati. “A lot of clients a good service, have a good client partnered with artificial intelli- SHARON tions, falling productivity, and loss understand they have considerable base and offer a good understanding gence-focused startups Pekama THIRUCHELVAM of market share to alternative legal buying power and one of the chal- of a client’s business then they have and ThoughtRiver. At the same Writer specialising in culture and innovation, service providers and others are lenges facing the mid-tier is the some great opportunities. But you time, it has sold off other elements she has contributed to gradually undermining the founda- panel-type process [of choosing don’t get that by accident. You have of its business, such as regional real The Independent, i-D, Vice tions of firm profitability.” advisers],” he says. “This is squeez- to work hard at it and demonstrate estate, that were deemed a distrac- and Forbes. In the face of such challenges ing firms out of the higher-end it,” says Mr Williams. tion from core aims. many mid-tier outfits are finding corporate work from the FTSE 100 Firms’ approach to technology is The firm’s managing partner, Ed themselves in a particularly exposed organisations and their subsidiar- likely to be key to this process, adds Turner, explains: “Assuming it’s an position, says law firm strategy con- ies. While those companies weren’t Mr Tromans. “Tech is going to become accepted proposition that funda- sultant Richard Tromans. necessarily ever a big area for them, a differentiator. If a firm gets its strat- mental change is going to be neces- “The well-known economic argu- they could be relevant in certain egy right in this area then it will gain a sary, it’s important to understand ment of get big, get niche or get out offices and certain locations.” competitive advantage,” he says. the purpose of your organisation Publishing manager Head of production is partially true, but it’s more compli- While Mr Williams acknowledges “It’s not just about clients pushing and why there’s a need for it in the Elaine Zhao Justyna O'Connell cated than that. This isn’t necessar- mid-tier niche firms might emerge down on fees and firms introducing future. Having a clear understand- Production editor Digital content executive ily about the size of a firm’s revenue,” successful from a panel process, automation to deal with that. Tech- ing of that is absolutely essential, Benjamin Chiou Elise Ngobi he says. “The organisations that are he suggests less-focused firms are nology can also create new value in particularly in the mid-market.” likely to be most under pressure are being increasingly sidelined. He the legal services market. The big- For Taylor Vinters, the focus is now Managing editor Design those that are handling day-to-day says: “Every time you see a panel gest risk to the mid-tier is underes- on entrepreneurship and innova- Peter Archer Samuele Motta Grant Chapman legal tasks, such as employment, real announcement, and the firms that timating the importance of compet- tion, with tech partnering an impor- Kellie Jerrard estate, IP and trademark, for medi- get on that panel, it’s not the mid- itive issues such as these.” tant part of the firm’s offering. um-sized and upwards corporates.” tier firms.” One firm that is forging ahead on Mr Turner says: “It’s brought some Mr Tromans points to a legal He believes such firms need to take the technological innovation front intangible benefits, such as cultural market in a state of flux, where a long, hard look at their role, their is Mishcon de Reya, which in 2017 change and the excitement that goes new entrants, such as the big four offering and what they can deliver launched an incubator programme, with that, but it has also been a good accountants, are offering many such to potential clients. “If they provide MDR LAB, designed both to create door-opener with clients. If we’re day-to-day services, which were talking to fast-growing tech busi-

Although this publication is funded through advertising and once the preserve of medium-to- nesses, it gives us huge kudos that sponsorship, all editorial is without bias and sponsored features large law firms, at extremely com- we’re an investor ourselves.” are clearly labelled. For an upcoming schedule, partnership petitive prices. Biggest challenges for law firms It has also helped Taylor Vinters inquiries or feedback, please call +44 (0)20 3877 3800 or Last month, for example, PwC Percentage of UK managing partners and senior managers ranking the following in look further afield for work. He email [email protected] launched a flat-fee employment law their top three challenges over the next two to three years adds: “If we’re talking to a general Raconteur is a leading publisher of special-interest content and service that gives clients unlimited counsel in a large US corporate in research. Its publications and articles cover a wide range of topics, access to a technology portal pro- the innovation business, it’s likely including business, finance, sustainability, healthcare, lifestyle and technology. Raconteur special reports are published exclusively in viding, among other things, tem- Adopting new they won’t have heard of us because The Times and The Sunday Times as well as online at raconteur.net plate contracts, policies and letters, 51% technologies we’re not very big. But we benefit The information contained in this publication has been obtained in addition to a legal advice hotline. from being able to discuss innova- from sources the Proprietors believe to be correct. However, Costs for the service start at £250 tion based on our understanding no legal liability can be accepted for any errors. No part of this a month for companies with fewer of working with organisations like publication may be reproduced without the prior consent of the % Differentiating than 100 employees. 72 theirs. That helps us have conver- Publisher. © Raconteur Media Attracting and retaining my firm from Increased competition is only sations with clients who otherwise the right people competitors part of the story, says Tony Wil- 43% wouldn’t have given us so much @raconteur /raconteur.net @raconteur_london liams, principal of legal consul- Smith and Williamson 2017 time and opportunity.”

/legal-innovation-2018 02 LEGAL INNOVATION RACONTEUR.NET 03

MID-TIER LAW FIRMS LEGAL INNOVATION Tech can save the Distributed in squeezed middle

Published in association with Technology can be the lifeline to rescue middle-ranking law firms, facing increased competition and squeezed profit margins

Event partner

/legal-innovation-2018 04 LEGAL INNOVATION RACONTEUR.NET 05

BLOCKCHAIN

While it’s clear blockchain is a technology that will affect the legal industry, the repercussions are still unclear

resource, with creaky systems and Challenge of leaky databases that are prone to being hacked”. But William Akman at Morrison & Foerster believes that complicated linking law legalese will make it extremely difficult for certain legal agreements to be completely automated, without the need for a lawyer. and tech Mr Maughan gives the example of smart contracts needing to be presented in a way that is under- With the potential to disrupt legal standable by the person signing it, and that much of the contract services, blockchain is fast becoming will include subjective statements, such as “X will make reasonable the focus of law firms anxious not to efforts to do Y”, both of which may be the weakest link be difficult to automate. He envis- ages a hybrid of technology and lawyer within smart contracts, whereby some parts of a contract can be fully automated such as a service level agreement with an IT pher the details and correspond Global law firm Hogan Lovells Of course, blockchain’s main company, but other parts need a SOORAJ SHAH with the opposing side. has been looking at smart con- attraction is security, but those human element. Then there’s intellectual prop- tracts, while Fieldfisher says it is making investment decisions Regardless, there is movement ew technology trends erty, where royalties from stream- highly experienced in cryptocur- will need proof the technol- away from lawyers, so fewer hours have a tendency to be all ing could be coded into the block- rencies, proof of existence and ogy works and that there aren’t to bill. However, Mr Derrick at encompassing. Not only chain to ensure artists are paid smart contracts. any workarounds. Kennedys believes this is a neces- is the latest trend the immediately. Other use cases “Firms that have engaged with Most of these fears can be alle- sary move that law firms need to Ncheapest, most efficient way to do include land ownership in develop- blockchain on an experimental viated with the right expertise, embrace. “We’ve seen claims drop something, it is also supposedly ing countries and chain of custody, basis are niche technology compa- but this leaves larger firms in a with our technology and clients game-changing for most, if not both of which demonstrate block- nies or larger international firms better position, with the budget only using lawyers when they need all, industries. This same hyper- chain’s effectiveness at ensuring with a proportionally large R&D to hire the best talent. Smaller to,” he says, adding that work on bole has been used within the legal certainty of transactional history budget,” says Gareth Malna, a outfits would have to co-operate high-end legal issues will still be sector for blockchain, with the in a highly encrypted database. solicitor at Burges Salmon. with technology companies, required. “What we’re essentially technology promising transforma- All of these use cases are also There is also the potential for making use of the tech firm’s saying to young lawyers is that the tive benefits that are largely yet to linked. As Alistair Maughan, medium-sized firms to look into in-house talent, or send staff out to world is changing and their route to become reality. co-chair of global law firm Morri- blockchain, albeit in a different way. training sessions. becoming a partner is not the same The numerous use cases have son & Foerster’s technology trans- According to Joanne Frears, a solici- Kennedys is also exploring the But even the right experts need – it will involve using technology. been well documented, from smart action group explains, the first tor at Lionshead Law, early-embrac- use of blockchain in motor claims, to be listened to by lawyers. “You This is a powerful message.” contracts that mean that if a ser- consideration for his company ers could collaborate with smaller to enable insurance carriers, repair need to empower senior specialist This shift away from tradi- vice isn’t delivered, a customer regarding blockchain wasn’t about blockchain developers to create a garages and hire companies to pro- tech professionals across the firm, tional law services will also ben- doesn’t pay, or if it exceeds the using the technology internally, it joint blockchain solution. cess claims automatically. For telling us how we need to change, efit in-house legal teams and Mr contractual parameters of use, was about helping clients to under- But many of these pilots are Mr Derrick, blockchain is merely what the tech is and what the client Maughan believes they will be it triggers payment, penalties or stand how they could make use of shrouded in secrecy. Karim Der- an extension of a database, but it wants,” says Morrison & Foerster’s at the forefront of using block- cessation of service. This is with- it. There has been an urgency for rick, head of research and devel- “incentivises people to share data Mr Maughan. chain. “We’ve seen a distinct rise out the long legal paper chain that law firms to come up with solu- opment at global lawyers Ken- and makes sure people can get the regulations. Depending on the While it’s clear blockchain is a of legal operations within large requires a lawyer to be instructed tions and this is why many are nedys, suggests that much of the data” because of the added secu- use-case, there is also the consid- technology that will affect the clients, often this is about process about the history of the deal, deci- investigating the possibilities. alleged involvement in block- rity around it. eration of personal data and pri- legal industry, the repercussions loads and methodologies, as well chain amounts to “hot air”. He One of the hurdles of blockchain vacy, particularly with the incom- are still unclear. According to Ms as working out how to adopt new says his company is actually act- for law firms and their clients is ing European Union General Data Frears at Lionshead Law, commer- technologies,” he explains. ing on blockchain right now. The regulation. UK companies have to Protection Regulation. cial and dispute resolution law- Meanwhile, law firms are open- Blockchain interest and adoption company has built a fraud-fo- ensure that what they’re doing is In addition, there may be appre- yers could be out of a job within ing themselves up to a whole Percentage of law firms that are using/plan to use blockchain solutions cused insurance prototype on IBM authorised by the Financial Con- hension from decision-makers ten years. range of other types of business to hyperledger software. duct Authority and that the use of about the unknown; what the tech- “Once real services are put into remain relevant in the digital age. “Most of fraud happens because the technology doesn’t undermine nology is, whether it is at the right blockchain, the role of a lawyer to do This includes more sophisticated clients have their own databases level of security, and if it really is due diligence about the good or ser- functions in due diligence and and there is very little interaction more resistant to hackers and mal- vices, to check what can be offered deal-making, as well as the poten- that is automated, so fraudsters ware than proprietary systems. For under a contract, prepare the terms tial to track down cryptocurrency 41% 31% 21% operate in the gaps between these example, DDoS or denial-of-ser- and present them to a purchaser in divorce settlements and provide databases,” Mr Derrick explains. vice attacks are less effective is negated entirely,” she suggests, guidance for banking on stocks “Blockchain will enable insurers to because of blockchain’s decentral- emphasising that the addition of running on blockchain. share their books with each other Blockchain’s main attraction ised nature – information would artificial intelligence will mean the The key for those involved in the without exposing their books. This be stored among a large network fields of banking law, financial ser- legal sector is to ensure they have a Transactional High-value Business enables them to cross-reference is security, but those making in many locations, so an onslaught vices law, litigation support and foot in the door with blockchain, so legal services legal services support claims and make it difficult for investment decisions will need of requests that take down tar- paralegals will be obsolete. when other more traditional open- fraudsters to exploit the ignorance geted servers won’t be as much of Lawyers, she says, are “by com- ings close, they have somewhere PwC 2017 between them.” proof the technology works a threat. parison an expensive and fallible to go. 04 LEGAL INNOVATION RACONTEUR.NET 05

BLOCKCHAIN

While it’s clear blockchain is a technology that will affect the legal industry, the repercussions are still unclear

RULE OF LAW

aspects of society have a shared applications and confl icts around Professor Hunt adds. “Leaving the stake in and responsibility to the rule of law. EU, given how long we’ve been Protect against the defend and promote the rule of The All-Party Parliamentary a member of it and the degree of law. “It should include all actors,” Group on the Rule of Law, founded regulatory immersion, is really he says, “Government, Parliament, three years ago on the 800th anni- tantamount to ripping up your the judiciary, business, media versary of the signing of the Magna constitution in one go without rising populist threats and individuals.” Carter, and for which the Bingham having first decided what you’re Business is only latterly emerging Centre is secretariat, encourages going to replace it with. There as important agents in the defence MPs to discuss matters of business could be an enormous problem in Threats to the rule of law are a major problem that should of the rule of law. Through its busi- through a rule of law lens. terms of legal discontinuity and ness network, the Bingham Centre The digital age has brought with legal uncertainty.” not be underestimated in risk areas, including the UK builds capacity among in-house it challenges to the rule of law that The EU, meanwhile, faces rule of counsel, shifting thinking society has struggled to make sense law challenges that undermine the from compliance issues to iden- of at every level. Questions around very principles upon which it was tifying and mitigating rule of the responsibility of big tech to founded. Worse than the euro crisis, law risks in the countries where police extremists, eff ects of social Brexit and the migration issue, Pro- they operate. Eventually, the pro- media on children, implications of fessor Kelemen argues the fl agrant SHARON THIRUCHELVAM The Philippines gramme hopes to extend to board- artifi cial intelligence and who owns disregard for the rule of law dis- saw the most level members, with the goal of big data present regulatory chal- played by Poland and Hungary pre- signiﬁ cant drop in n countries across the world, the World Justice positioning rule of law as a strate- lenges that “far outstrip our institu- sents “the greatest existential crisis the rule of law is under threat. Project’s recent gic business imperative. tions’ ability to keep up with them, in the EU’s history”. In Hong Kong, Turkey, Hun- Rule of Law Index In the UK, the centre aims to make let alone be ahead of the game”, says Perhaps more than ever, the as demonstrators gary and Poland, autocrats and continue to protest discussions of the rule of law extend Professor Hunt. defence of the rule of law will require Iextreme right-wing parties muzzle from school classrooms to the heart The UK’s withdrawal from the constant vigilance, ingenuity and against President courts, restrict the judiciary and Rodrigo Duterte’s of Parliament. Legal literacy classes, European Union presents its own eff ort. In Lord Bingham’s words: “It ignore human rights. brutal crackdown to be included in the citizenship cur- rule of law concerns. “Whatever remains an ideal, but an ideal worth on illegal drugs Ezra Acayan/NurPhoto via Getty Images The latest World Justice Project riculum, would teach school chil- your view of Brexit – whether it is a striving for, in the interests of good (WJP) Rule of Law Index shows that dren, from primary school upwards, good thing or a bad thing – it poses government and peace, at home and a majority of countries worldwide to think critically about real-life enormous rule of law challenges,” in the world at large.” saw their scores decline in the areas of human rights, checks on government powers, and civil and criminal justice. Overall, more countries’ rule Case studies of law score declined (34 per cent) UK than improved (29 per cent), compared with 2016 ratings. In January 2017, in the immediate The trend is deeply troubling. “We aftermath of the Brexit vote, are witnessing a global deteriora- the UK Supreme Court found in tion in fundamental aspects of the favour of Gina Miller, who brought rule of law,” says William H. Neu- a case arguing that Parliament

kom, WJP founder and chief execu- must have a vote to trigger Article Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images tive. “Reduced adherence to the rule 50 and formally initiate Britain of law anywhere threatens develop- leaving the European Union. The ment everywhere.” judgment, which sets a far-reaching Even mature democracies, such as constitutional precedent and the UK and United States, that were upholds parliamentary sovereignty, architects of the international rules- was hailed by supporters as setting based order, have seen their rating international courts is a world- the rule of law means in an acces- clear limits on the extent of the drop one point, their politics fallen wide phenomenon that goes hand sible way and in practical terms.” government’s executive powers. victim to populism, occasioning in hand with populism and the Meaningful clarity and consen- attacks on judges that would have return of authoritarian national- sus over definition of the rule of been unthinkable ten years ago. ism,” warns Professor Hunt. “This law, which is so often impeded R. Daniel Kelemen, professor of resurgence of inward-looking, by its abstraction, is a crucial political science at Rutgers Univer- nation state-first outlooks poses a first step. Hungary sity, points to the worldwide rise very large challenge to the rule of Lord Bingham, the senior law lord of populism as a signifi cant cause. law, because so much of the rule after whom the centre is named, In December 2017, the European Union took Populist narratives, which bluntly of law architecture has depended gave a defi nitive account in his Hungary to the European Court of Justice over draw a line between “the people” since the Second World War on accessible 2010 book The Rule of Hungarian President Viktor Orbán’s crackdown and “the elites”, almost always con- these institutions that were set Law. In it, the rule of law is outlined Images Olson/Getty Scott on political freedoms and persecution of a demn judges to the latter category. up thereafter.” through a cluster of core concepts, leading university. The European Commission When populist leaders attain power including legal certainty, equal said the legislation ran counter to academic and judges enforce constitutional treatment and non-discrimina- freedom and the right to run a business limits, as they ought, they are car- tion, non-arbitrariness, permission under the EU’s charter of fundamental rights. icatured as “thwarting the will of for democratic parts of the consti- Hungary is also being referred over a law that the people”. Reduced adherence tution to scrutinise the executive, requires non-governmental organisations “It’s right out of the autocratic democratic scrutiny of widely del- receiving foreign donations to label themselves playbook,” says Professor Kele- to the rule of law egated powers, access to courts, as “supported from abroad”. men. “Orbán did it in Hungary, it access to legal remedies, protection is being replicated in Poland and anywhere threatens of human rights, and international Trump would likely do the same development legal obligations. United States in the United States, but for the How best to legislate for human strength of the US judiciary and its everywhere rights, however, is contested by In May 2017, Hawaii became the fi rst US state decentralisation.” some. While in favour of human to fi le a lawsuit against President Donald Professor Murray Hunt, direc- rights in general, Richard Ekins, Trump’s revised travel ban, arguing the tor of the Bingham Centre for Rule professor of law at Oxford and direc- order would harm the state’s economy and of Law and former legal adviser to Through the Bingham Cen- tor of the Judicial Power Project at educational institutions, and would prevent Parliament’s Joint Committee on tre, he believes that innovative the Policy Exchange think-tank, Hawaiians with family members in the six Human Rights, identifi es a world- approaches to countering attacks argues that the Human Rights Act targeted countries from reuniting. Separately, wide retreat from international on the rule of the law are “abso- and ECHR undermine UK rule of in an amended complaint, a Hawaii district legal obligations and a growing hos- lutely crucial”. “We have to think law. For him, the “judicialisation” of judge blocked the executive order, arguing tility towards international courts, in a far more imaginative way than politics is itself a threat. that it remained incompatible with freedom Getty Images via Wlodarczyk/NurPhoto Mateusz including the European Court of we have in the past about how we For Professor Hunt, the most of religion protections in both the state and Human Rights (ECHR). defend the rule of law and advance urgent objective of the centre is federal constitutions. “The reassertion of national it,” says Professor Hunt. “We need to “democratise the rule of law”. sovereignty over the claims of to get out there and explain what It is crucial, he believes, that all 06 LEGAL INNOVATION RACONTEUR.NET 07

RULE OF LAW

GENDER IMBALANCE Commercial feature

30 per cent smaller bonuses. Women at City fi rm CMS are paid 17 per cent less than its men and get bonuses that are about 27 per cent smaller, Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Kitwood/Getty Dan Digitisation of conveyancing: a key and at regional fi rm Shoosmiths, women are paid 15.5 per cent less. The make-up of the profession determines the pool from which opportunity for law firms to innovate judges are drawn. Since 2010 the proportion of women judges in courts has gone up by a third. The With buying and selling a home still typically taking months to complete, private sector latest statistics, from April 2017, show that 28 per cent (890) of judges businesses are leading the innovation charge to drive transformation and reform. are women. Among the most senior, two of the 12 Supreme Court justices, Conveyancers that resist digital transformation face a challenge to keep up nine (24%) out of 38 Court of Appeal judges and 21 (22 per cent) out of 97 High Court judges are female. he digitisation of conveyanc- The judiciary appears to take ing, also known as e-convey- FACTFILE seriously the desire to increase ancing, is regularly mooted in LawConnect diversity, setting up the Judicial T the media as something for the key statistics Diversity Committee, chaired by future, with the government attempt- Law firms’ adoption of Lady Hallett. It organises net- ing to take a leading role in reforming document-sharing systems working, work shadowing and how people buy and sell houses, which mentoring events, and sup- remains a process filled with bottle- port programmes to encourage necks and flaws. 60% under-represented groups to apply When the Land Registry set out its of law firms using LEAP practice management software share for judicial appointment, and has priorities for an ambitious digital trans- documents via LawConnect put together online videos and per- formation last year, its chief executive sonal case studies. Graham Farrant asked for the support those entering law – in 100 years. Equality at entry Women in law, as in most other QC Appointments, the body of law firms as it “explores how through level has not They have advanced.” professions, are paid less than their charged with administering the digital technology we can… make con- 63,411 translated further legal documents have been But, she adds: “The debate has male counterparts. According to process for silks, has also taken veyancing quicker, cheaper and sim- up the pecking order shared via LawConnect Glass ceiling not evolved. The reasons used to the Law Society, the gender pay gap measures to ensure there are no pler for everyone”. It also recently keep women out are the same as in across all private practice solicitors barriers for women. Its chief exec- revealed plans to publish compara- 1917 and are based on the same sex- in England stood at 30 per cent in utive Russell Wallman explains tive data on how fast and efficiently k+ conveyancers perform, giving home 27 ist stereotypes.” 2014. But the Offi ce for National Sta- that it has reduced from twelve to clients of a law firm have logged keeps women While there is equality at entry tistics suggests that women in the eight the number of judicial asses- movers more clarity. on to receive documents level, further up the pecking order legal profession are paid 10.3 per sors applicants are expected to list However, these efforts have raised through LawConnect high attrition rates, due variously cent less than their male colleagues, and increased the time period over concerns that taxpayers’ money is to career breaks, the failure of men a smaller gap than the 18 per cent which their supporting cases are being spent unnecessarily on e-con- LEAP Legal Software, 2017 from the top to value what women bring to the national average. selected from two to three years. veyancing. Meanwhile, the Law Society, table and the promotion structure A more accurate picture will When women do apply for silk, Mr a professional association funded by within law fi rms, the picture is emerge thanks to the Equality Act Wallman notes that they are more membership fees from law firms in also like the fact you can track through Women are advancing in the legal more skewed, says Leah Glover, 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) successful than men, but they are England and Wales, spent millions of the matter, order your searches and chair of the Law Society’s Women Regulations 2017, which requires still applying in smaller numbers. pounds on their Veyo initiative, a failed get the results back into the matter, so profession, but sexist stereotypes Lawyers Division. bodies with more than 250 employ- In the wider profession, the Bar attempt at introducing e-conveyancing lots of efficiencies are gained. Figures from the Solicitors Regu- ees to publish gender pay gap fi gures Council and Law Society, as well as to the masses. their businesses and digitise internal “Now, when estate agents ring up and may persist barring them from lation Authority show that women every year from April. So far, three law fi rms and chambers, are imple- “If the government are looking to Opportunities from processes to survive in an ever-chang- want an update on where the file is, I many of the top jobs make up only 33 per cent of part- large law fi rms have published theirs. menting initiatives to redress the target legislation towards streamlin- digital change ing market. Time is a lawyer’s only com- The e-conveyancing tidal can go on the LEAP matter and see if ners in law fi rms. Despite a num- International fi rm Herbert Smith gender imbalance, including mater- ing the conveyancing process then it modity and inefficiencies from poor IT the searches have been ordered and ber of major law fi rms signing up Freehills’ fi gures show that it pays nity and returning-to-work schemes should be left to the private sector to can waste hundreds of pounds a day. wave is on its way – change when they’re due back, and that’s often of companies to The 30% Club, committing to a its female staff almost 20 per cent to help with applying for silk or judi- deal with the innovation around deliv- believed LEAP, the largest provider of innova- is inevitable enough to satisfy the estate agents by 30 per cent female partnership by less than the men and gives them cial appointments. ery,” says Richard Hugo-Hamman, technology tive software to small law firms in the way of an update. That means the sup- 2020, the latest promotion rounds executive chairman at legal software 84% improved UK, is leading the innovation charge. port staff can provide the updates and is almost level with the number of indicate that the number of women firm LEAP. “We have seen before how customer Last year, 852 law firms used its doc- that’s really good for business because CATHERINE BAKSI experiences men and that looks set to rise, as making it to partner at the UK’s larg- government consultations on deliver- and relationships ument sharing system LawConnect, system to keep up with the expecta- estate agents are very much an impor- UCAS fi gures show that last year for est law fi rms has fallen by almost a UK private practice salaries by gender ing digitisation have hindered progress sharing 63,411 documents. More than tions of younger customers, as well tant part of us getting work in. We n 1913 aspiring lawyer Gwyneth the fi rst time, the number of women quarter over the past two years. Median average annual salaries for each grade in 2016 more than they’ve helped.” this, law firms turn to companies such as increase efficiencies and ease the come across as efficient and on the Bebb, along with three oth- (17,565 or 67 per cent) who accepted A report from BPP University Law The reality is a lot of forward-think- as LEAP to help with the change man- burden of dealing with compliance. ball, and we will pick up the phone and ers, sought a declaration that a place to study law at university School, Law Firm of the Future, ing firms are already doing all manner thought agement required to go digital. “We are a small law firm with a very give good service.” she was a “person” within the was more than double the number of which analysed more than a quar- Male of conveyancing digitally, from listing technology “Our focus is to help small law firms loyal, traditional client base, but we Agility is set to be the new kingmaker Imeaning of the Solicitors Act 1843 men (8,510 or 33 per cent). ter of a century of Law Society Female the property for sale through to AP1 improved their change and be more profitable. Some can’t rely on that loyalty because in the legal sector and that can only be % 76 own operational and therefore entitled to take the Dana Denis-Smith, founder of the data, suggests it will take another Median female salary Median male salary lodgement. And this innovation is being capabilities of those firms just don’t know how to do younger users need a law firm that enabled by digital innovation. In the Law Society’s exams to qualify as a First 100 Years Project, which is cre- 20 years to get gender parity in sen- (all grades) (all grades) firmly driven from the private sector. it, so we have a dedicated team to help,” matches their IT abilities and their short-term future, most house pur- solicitor. While Ms Bebb et al failed, ating a digital archive charting the ior positions. A rapidly growing number of law firms says Mr Hugo-Hamman. “Our teams expectations for how they want the chases will complete within six weeks their claim provided momentum for history of women in the legal profes- Among the 16,500 barristers, £48,000 £68,500 are pursuing a paperless office as they travel around the country delivering information delivered and returned,” and law firms that fail to transform in the Sex Disqualifi cation (Removal) sion, says: “Women have come from fi gures paint a similar picture. face up to demands from customers not only great software, but detailed says Vicky Hosking, the firm’s manag- this landscape will struggle to survive. Act 1919, which enabled women to nowhere – from a point where they Data from the bar’s regulator, the to be more efficient and deliver doc- knowledge of how a legal practice works ing partner. “What I liked about LEAP “They will soon find themselves become lawyers. were barred from the profession, to Bar Standards Board, shows that uments back at their convenience. felt technology within the e-conveyancing space. is I could really tell that they were very unable to compete with the same level % put customers in Almost one hundred years since making up an almost 50:50 ratio of although 51 per cent of pupils are £48,000 Young property buyers are accus- 68 greater control “We see a trend gathering massive forward thinking in terms of future of speed and efficiency, making them the act, progress has been made female, women make up 37 per cent Assistant/ tomed to the seamless user experi- momentum within firms to provide a IT. I like the way they partner and less streamlined,” concludes Mr Hugo- associate along the road to equality, but of the practising bar, a fi gure that £45,000 ence they enjoy on social media and more client-focused and business-like connect with other programs Hamman. “With the government’s more needs to be done. Baroness many fear will drop due to govern- when banking online, and expect the service, not only at the point of instruct- and systems, such as Xero for intention for a digital future within Hale made history last year becom- ment plans to pilot extended sitting same from their lawyer. However, many ing a solicitor, but well before that too. accounting, rather than trying to be conveyancing, firms that don’t inno- ing the fi rst female president of the hours in criminal courts. firms lack the knowledge or conviction Having access to documents online and everything themselves.” vate are in danger of falling behind. The Supreme Court. Lady Black joined The reasons used At the top of the bar, only 13.7 per Equity £120,000 to make the change. believed it had the ability to sign these documents dig- Like most law firms, Michael Smith & e-conveyancing tidal wave is on its way her as the second woman to sit on to keep women out cent of Queen’s Counsel are women partner In a study of the mortgage sector con- % the potential to itally are just a few of the ways law firms Co is trying to use less paper and using – change is inevitable.” the country’s highest court and, for and, predicts the BSB report, at the £50,000 ducted for the CML (now UK Finance) by 40 unlock the power are changing the e-conveyancing land- LEAP’s software has allowed it to accel- of data 11 brief months until July, the posi- are the same as in current rate of change, it will take Accenture, 84 per cent of companies scape. A completely digital end-to-end erate those plans. “I feel more assured For more information please visit tion of justice secretary and lord more than 50 years to reach gender said technology could improve cus- process is here and LEAP clients are that our online matters in the case leap.co.uk chancellor was held by woman, Eliz- 1917 and are based parity. Although, 32 (27 per cent) of tomer experiences and relationships, already enjoying the benefits.” management are likely to be complete, £70,000 The research, conducted for the CML by associate abeth Truss, albeit not a lawyer. the 119 QCs announced in December Salaried and 76 per cent said it could improve Accenture, interviewed firms and customers across One of those law firms is Ipswich- meaning I don’t have to rely on paper on the same sexist partner the mortgage sector The number of women (47 per are women, giving hope that the BSB’s £57,000 their own operational capabilities. It’s based Michael Smith & Co Solicitors, files so much in the future because cent) entering the legal profession stereotypes prediction is perhaps pessimistic. Law Society 2017 clear that law firms need to transform Digital Change and Mortgage Borrowers 2017 which sought a case management everything is there,” says Ms Hosking. “I 08 LEGAL INNOVATION RACONTEUR.NET 09

GENDER IMBALANCE Commercial feature

2015 2015 2016 2017 2017 CRAVATH SWAINE & MOORE, WEIL GOTSHAL & MANGES PANAMA PAPERS DLA PIPER WORDPRESS PARADISE PAPERS

Hackers penetrated email accounts of More than 11.5 million documents from The Petya ransomware attack that hit Websites of many US-based law fi rms Some 13.4 million confi dential electronic CYBER partners at these US-based fi rms, amongst Panamanian offshore law fi rm Mossack Microsoft Windows-based computer were hacked due to vulnerabilities documents (1.4 terabytes) from others, in an apparent effort to obtain Fonseca were leaked by an anonymous systems across Europe and the United with site-building platform WordPress, Bermuda-based offshore giant Appleby information about publicly listed companies source and obtained by Sűddeutsche States also took down law fi rm DLA allowing the attackers to edit content were leaked to Sűddeutsche Zeitung and to facilitate insider trading. While it is unclear Zeitung. The documents were shared Piper, bringing the company to a virtual and deface homepages shared with the ICIJ. They contained who conducted the hack, the breach with the International Consortium of standstill for almost a week details of offshore investments by high- may have been part of a larger initiative Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which profi le fi gures and businesses RISK by the Chinese government, according to revealed how hundreds of high-profi le information obtained by Fortune magazine politicians, business people and celebrities were exploiting offshore tax havens Recent high-profi le hacks have pushed cybersecurity towards the top of the agenda for law fi rms, which represent a honeypot of confi dential information for hackers to exploit. This infographic explores some of the notable hacks of recent years, the biggest % . . k k k vulnerabilities for fi rms, and the extent of leaked 31of law fi rms in the US have formal cybersecurity 2terabytes of6 data were 3thousand 6lawyers at DLA Piper were blocked 100websites were hacked in 120people and companies were legal documents on the dark web training programmes, according to LogicForce leaked in the breach from accessing their email accounts total over a fortnight identifi ed in the breach

Biggest cyber- Data breaches in Number of breached vulnerabilities the UK legal sector Information Commissioner’s Ofﬁ cer 2018 credentials on the dark web RepKnight 2018

Percentage of law fi rms ranking the Breaches reported to the Information Commissioner’s Offi cer The top 500 law fi rms in following in their top three issues the UK have more than 418,082 136,809 104,335 one million credentials Smith and Williamson 2017 40 UK top 201-500 UK top 50 UK top 101-200 exposed online on (exc. Magic Circle) the dark web, such as clients' addresses, contact details and 30 bank account numbers

85% 20 84,609 77,187 Malware 202,610 UK top 51-100 Magic Circle Global top 20 10 Q2/15 Q3/15 Q4/15 Q1/16 Q2/16 Q3/16 Q4/16 Q1/17 Q2/17 Q3/17

Biggest technology issues facing law firms Smith and Williamson 2017 Cyber insurance policy Legal Week Intelligence/Kroll 2018

81% Percentage of law fi rms ranking the following in their top three issues Percentage of general counsels whose insurance policy cover excludes the following: People-related Excluded Don't know Hacking/phishing/ from cover if covered security issues malware/ransomware 25% System glitch/error 5% 21% 65% 54% 32% 29% 25% Employee mistakes 5% 23% Lost/stolen items with sensitive data 24% 5% 69% Malicious insider 5% 26% Phishing Cybersecurity Enhancing the client Managing Document Use of artifi cial Mistakes by third-party experience workfl ow management intelligence providers/vendors 24% 21% 10 LEGAL INNOVATION RACONTEUR.NET 11

2015 2015 2016 2017 2017 CRAVATH SWAINE & MOORE, WEIL GOTSHAL & MANGES PANAMA PAPERS DLA PIPER WORDPRESS PARADISE PAPERS

Biggest cyber- Data breaches in Number of breached vulnerabilities the UK legal sector Information Commissioner’s Ofﬁ cer 2018 credentials on the dark web RepKnight 2018

85% 20 84,609 77,187 Malware 202,610 UK top 51-100 Magic Circle Global top 20 10 Q2/15 Q3/15 Q4/15 Q1/16 Q2/16 Q3/16 Q4/16 Q1/17 Q2/17 Q3/17

Biggest technology issues facing law firms Smith and Williamson 2017 Cyber insurance policy Legal Week Intelligence/Kroll 2018

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Commercial feature

Getting work to the right resource The results of implementing BigHand Now in a top-50 law firm 1) The data in April and May was the first time this was ever reviewed by the Correct resource Incorrect resource No default resource Don’t get left behind by AI revolution firm, and indicates limited control over who completed what work 100% 100% 93.5% 93.4% 73.9% 57.1% 52.6% 38.6% 28.1% 19.5% Law fi rms must adopt artifi cial intelligence 2) The data for June and July, during the pilot phase, highlights that work was 21.3% technology and adapt services rather than being sent to the incorrect resource 24.3%

letting rivals eat into their profi ts 29.4% 59.2% 3) From August to October, the introduction of BigHand Now to all Samuel Zeller/Unsplash Samuel teams means work can now be routed 35% 47.6% 30% automatically to the best resource

32% 4) Following a full roll-out of BigHand 19.5% means they don’t have to inno- Now, seen in November to January, DAVID BENADY vate; they aren’t really concerned lower-value work is now being done 12.9% 12.4% about using tech to preserve prof- by the right resource at a lower cost, with no impact on customer service rom checking leases at the itability. They have long-term, Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan and management have data to improve Land Registry to sorting sticky relationships with clients 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2018 this further through millions of docu- that produce repeat business,” ments for disclosure during adds Mr Meyer. Within six months BigHand Now can generate significant return on investment by ensuring work is done by the right person at the right time Flitigation, artifi cial intelligence or But Duncan Eadie, IT director at BigHand client AI is speeding up some of the most Foot Anstey, a regional law fi rm, repetitive legal tasks. says: “This is more about manage- Much of this work has histori- ment, risk and matching cultures cally been the bread and butter of than it is about size. Many mid-tier lawyers who have charged by the fi rms have that in abundance.” hour for such services. But law- Mr Eadie says clients are driv- Uncover your tech startups and legal services ing the shift to AI as they look for providers offering AI are poised innovative firms that offer value to take over many of these tasks, for money, transparency and tech depriving established law firms of solutions. “We will certainly see operational blindspot a large slice of their revenues. more disruption in the sector as Critics wonder whether law we go forward, but forward-think- fi rms are prepared for the coming ing firms, no matter what size, Depending on who you ask, the era of super profits has either changes. Given the transformation will already be considering this as that automation requires, who in the an opportunity,” he says. already finished or the end is on the horizon. Either way, the future sector is ready for the AI revolution? Emily Foges, chief executive of looks different, says James Kippenberger, managing director of “The middle market is the dan- Luminance, an AI platform for ger zone,” says Matt Meyer, chief the legal industry, says that until commercial product management and UK client delivery at BigHand executive of law firm Taylor recently some of the biggest law Vinters and chairman of lawtech firms thought they didn’t need startup ThoughtRiver. Mid-sized to worry about the cost-savings law firms lack the resources of offered by AI because their huge usiness clients, themselves system that allocates the right tasks to past decade, BigHand has leveraged the biggest firms to invest heav- clients weren’t price sensitive. under financial pressure, are the most appropriate back-office staff. this knowledge to create a task-dele- ily in AI technology while their However, over recent months, slashing fees and bringing more The first step to achieving this is to gation system that allows a law firm to management structures are too even these firms have started to Bwork in house. New compet- get an accurate picture of the support organise, disseminate, track, monitor cumbersome to allow the cre- realise that clients are starting itors in various guises are nibbling at skills available and how they are being and report on the firm’s entire support ation of interesting collabora- to demand lower costs. “Yes, the the edges. There is constant downward used. Getting this information is diffi- staff workload. The system allocates tions, incubations and invest- legal profession is ready for AI. price pressure and this is hitting profits cult, but critical. It should now be a top work to the people who are best placed ments with startups. Though whether everybody has across the legal industry. priority for law firms of all sizes that to do it or can do it at the lowest cost. “Those law firms have an accept- realised that is another matter,” To protect margins, law firms need want to compete effectively. In contrast to heavyweight workflow able level of profitability which says Ms Foges. to become more cost conscious. solutions used by some big law firms, While they have always focused on the our software is off the shelf, easy to “Firms who say ‘we charge by acquisition of a shopping centre, fee-earners who carry out legal work, configure and can be deployed rapidly. the billable hour so the more for example, and quickly find any they have invariably paid less attention Law firms can readily adapt it to how Law firms’ stance on legal AI tools time we spend on an activity, Forward-thinking relevant clauses that matter to to the activities of support staff. They they work and, critically, it is quickly Survey of US-based law fi rms the more value is associated a client. It would take a team of are now turning the spotlight on staff Streamlining adopted by fee earners. Our consult- with it’ are starting to real- ﬁ rms, no matter what lawyers days to sort through the such as legal PAs and team assistants to ants go into the firm and install, imple- All fi rms Firms with more business services than 1,000 lawyers ise that what their clients want leases manually and extract the make sure they are doing the right work ment and train staff on how to use the from them is time spent think- size, will already be important information or to ana- and operating as efficiently as possible. starts with visibility system, but once it is up and running, 8% ing and analysing negotiation considering this as lyse documents to see if they need Progressive law firms understand the firm manages it themselves. It is We are already points, not trawling through to be disclosed during litigation. the incremental gains they can reap by not onerous for IT and does not require beginning to make 55% repetitive documentations.” an opportunity If law fi rms are simply charging modernising their back-office oper- third-party involvement. use of legal AI Some believe that the partner- by the hour – some even charge ations. They are using new tools that Secretarial services managers often For the first time, BigHand Now gives ship structure of law firms acts as a by six-minute units – they stand help them assign tasks in the most eco- manually put together a weekly or law firms a lens into the operational break on innovation. It slows down to lose signifi cant revenues from nomically efficient way, without dam- monthly spreadsheet for board meet- side of their legal services work. This progress as all partners need to ply cost-reductions. It also needs the AI revolution. Nick West, chief aging client service. ings, roughly outlining the work of allows them to make sensible and We have begun 29% 36% agree on new moves. Meanwhile, to add value to the legal process. technology offi cer at Mishcon de This is only one part of the solution, support staff. Law firms lack accurate informed decisions about support to explore as they all take their share of the Mr DeConti says AI can stream- Reya, says: “The value in litigation, however. Creating processes that data on support staff effectiveness so ratios, team structures, competencies opportunities profits, this can leave law firms line legal work, which reduces what you pay for, is the litigation delegate work effectively requires this area has been managed blind. Law and office space. It provides a tool to lacking the funds for investment. cost. But the more interesting strategy, understanding how we a deep understanding of the work- firms need to gain greater insights into help them proactively transform the Chris DeConti, executive vice potential is for AI to be used to are going to win this case that is a flow and it requires a significant focus the way support staff operate to help way the firm operates. This will be cru- 9% president of global solutions at derive insights from contracts and matter of really mastering the facts on adoption. them understand where improve- cial to halting the underlying attrition We are aware of what 38% other fi rms are doing Axiom, an alternative legal ser- other legal documents that can be of the case and understanding what A key element of analysing the flow ments can be made. on profit while still delivering superb but are not pursuing vices provider, warns: “Structural applied to the business. “These is going on, and moving the chess of work is to find ways of making best One common mistake is that law firms customer service. it ourselves limitations like the partnership insights can save money or gen- pieces accordingly.” use of the specialised skills and knowl- invest in a variety of workflow solutions. structure, limited investment erate revenues that dwarf the sav- The law firms that are ready for edge among support staff. You don’t While these offer pockets of success, James Kippenberger will be hosting capacity and over-reliance on law- ings represented by reducing legal the shift will be the ones with a cul- want expensive legal PAs doing pho- they tend to be expensive and complex. a webinar to discuss this topic further yers rather than technologists, costs,” he says. ture of innovation. That includes tocopying or archiving when a low- They often struggle to function ubiqui- on Thursday February 15 at 1pm. We are not aware of 26% 0% analysts or data scientists will A substantial proportion of law finding new ways to charge for the er-cost team assistant is perfectly, if tously across the business. The theory is www.bighand.com/raconteur-report what is going on in this area impede the effective adoption of firms’ work will be automated, value their services add, given that not more, capable. Customers will not great, but the practicality is tough. AI by law firms.” taking away a proportion of rev- the time-based charging model pay for low-value tasks, so law firms Having developed considerable But AI, indeed any innovation, enues. An AI can churn through will be turned upside down by need to spend as little as possible get- experience in observing the work- Altman Weil 2017 should deliver more than sim- hundreds of leases during the superfast AI technology. ting them done. The secret is to have a flow processes of law firms over the 12 LEGAL INNOVATION RACONTEUR.NET 13

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Commercial feature

COMMERCIALCommercial FEATUREfeature TALENT MANAGEMENT pexels Demographic of the legal profession in the UK Millennials by numbers Percentage breakdown by age All lawyers Partners Solicitors 50%+ 1% <1% 1% of employees expect to be 16-24 working in a smart office in the next five years

32% 6% 49% 25-34 80%+ of millennials say workplace tech would have an influence when deciding to take a job Jack Newton 29% 31% 27% Chief executive and co-founder 35-44 Clio

60%+ allowing them to provide clearer would prefer to receive high- 22% 36% 13% invoices for their clients. 45-54 tech perks at work rather “If you are time-recording by hand, than low-tech perks like ping Law firms face you just don’t capture it all,” says Ms pong and free food Donald. “I think you actually underes- timate the amount of time it takes you to do something and it’s impossible 13% 22% 7% talent crisis in 55-64 to know how much value you’re get- 70%+ ting back from the fees you’re issu- feel advanced tech and ing if you don’t know how much time smart offices are crucial to a you’ve spent on something.” poaching war collaborative, productive and Ms Reid adds: “Clio makes the whole 4% 6% 2% efficient work environment 65+ process with our clients and the con- versations we might have with them in Growth of in-house successfully support the opera- attributed not only to more demand report that in any given week they terms of procedure much easier. I feel tional structures, in-house legal across sectors for GCs, but also an could be advising on employment Dell and Intel Future Workforce Study, 2016 more relaxed because I know there’s a Numbers may not equal 100 per cent due to rounding SRA 2017 Conducted by research firm PSB legal departments is departments need to work closely It may not be long emerging perception that such a role law, personal injury, commercial record of all the time I’ve spent. And with the business leaders and can offer a better variety of work and law or copyright law.” if there are concerns about fees, I can spurring law firms understand their visions and strat- until graduate quality of life. The opportunity to have board- show clients where my time has gone.” to reflect on their egies. They are part of the defini- lawyers jump ship To most graduates, spending the level influence acts as a further use legacy systems, which require Alongside the demand for more tion of such strategies.” early stages of their career in private draw, according to Mr Meyer. “Cou- lawyers to be in the office, will be effortless, technology-based inter- workplace culture The ability of legal departments and chase career practice is still viewed as necessary ple that with meaningful remu- increasingly limited in how and where actions with law firms, millennials to align with the strategic goals of growth within a legal to forming a successful legal career. neration, capital opportunities Law firms embrace cloud they can provide their services. expect the sensitive information they to attract and retain their business has evolved the role The opportunity to develop skills through options, and the ability After ten years of practising law, share to be secure. Not only are many of GCs beyond just managing risk. department across a range of client environments to work internationally and across Rachel Roche set up her own law firm traditional law firms lagging behind in the best talent They typically have a blend of legal with the law firm structure remains sectors, and you have an attractive technology to meet in 2011 with a vision to modernise the adopting cloud technology and pro- and non-legal skills, and often look the highest regarded entry route for option,” he says. way private client solicitors do busi- viding the services millennials desire, at how legal technology and innova- a lawyer. But it may not be long until Private practices still employ three ness, focusing on offering person- they are also failing to do enough to tive processes can add more value to law practice, legal firms are facing they jump ship and chase career in five lawyers, according to the Law able service with a modern edge. protect themselves and their clients the company they work for. the tough task of keeping the best growth within a legal department. Society, but attracting and retaining millennials’ expectations Initially running the business from from cyber-threats. The cybercrime As opposed to external firms, talent on their side. “Law firms are not necessarily the best and brightest talent, amid home, she relied on cloud services landscape is evolving at a daunt- which are naturally driven by their The number of in-house lawyers known for their flexibility, work-life competition from both competing such as Dropbox for storing files and ing pace so lawyers must constantly BEN ROSSI own targets, GCs are entirely ded- doubled between 2000 and 2012, balance or attractive benefits pack- law firms and other sectors, is now Cloud-based technology will continue Xero for accounting. be educating themselves to protect icated to the company’s goals and and the portion of all practising age, but in-house can often attract more difficult. As the business grew, Ms Roche their business and their clients from n-house legal teams are causing can act as an internal integrator. solicitors working in–house grew all of these things and more,” says In this landscape, law firms are to transform the legal industry required software that better organ- online threats. law firms a headache. With busi- With more knowledge of the busi- from 16 per cent in 2001 to 22 per Ms Cambrook-Woods. “Aside from realising they need to examine ised her cases, contacts and files, Simple economies of scale have led nesses facing more legal facets, ness, an internal team can demon- cent in 2016, according to analysis developing a strong commercial their treatment of employees. Hol- while keeping better track of her bill- cloud computing vendors to invest the cost-savings and assurances strate more internal value and acts from the Law Society. This can be awareness, in-house lawyers often iday allowances have historically able time. With Clio’s solution, she aggressively in security infrastruc- Iof having in-house counsel are, for as a real company representative. been poor in the legal profession, could access everything wherever ture that is orders of magnitude more many, a better option than instruct- “While law firms focus on legal but Douglas Scott Legal Recruit- illennials make up more transforming the legal space with provide a fertile ground upon which she was, from any device. “If I am secure than what a small-to-medi- ing external lawyers who charge problems, internal legal resources ment’s most recent salary and ben- than 35 per cent of UK the rise of cloud computing, which additional innovation can occur,” on the road and take a last-minute um-sized law office would be able hefty fees for carrying out day-to- concentrate on providing solutions Threats from non-traditional competition efits study found that 54 per cent of workers and are set to enabled a smarter and more effi- says Jack Newton, chief execu- appointment, I don’t have to worry to invest in to protect on-premise day legal affairs. that fit both from a legal perspective Law firms were asked if they are losing business from other providers of legal services, other than from employees now benefit from above Mrepresent 50 per cent cient option. With powerful solu - tive and co-founder of Clio. “We about not having the file with me,” she servers. Analyst firm Gartner expects Through their tighter integra- and a commercial perspective,” says their traditional competitors the statutory allowance compared of the global workforce by 2020. tions made accessible and afforda- want the Clio platform to be the says. “I’ve always lived by the mantra that through 2020 public cloud infra- tion with a company’s operational Mr Kasper. “It is the combination Taking business from us now Potential threat Not a threat Don't know with 47 per cent last year and only Characterised by their desire to both ble, firms that have adopted the first place developers look to build that organisation is the key and Clio structure-as-a-service (IaaS) work- leaders, general counsel (GC) can of the legal and commercial under- 35 per cent in 2016. work and consume services flexibly, technology are disrupting an indus- innovative legal technology tools. In helps me with this.” loads will suffer at least 60 per cent fill a broader remit. Their legal standing of the business case that “For the first time ever, over half millennials expect the user expe- try filled with unresponsive, tradi- turn, we know this will benefit our Stephen C. Paul, a millennial law fewer security incidents than those in knowledge can be leveraged to allows the internal legal function to Corporate law departments in-sourcing more legal work of legal professionals are helping rience they enjoy on their smart- tional law firms. customers, who will gain a com- firm owner and another Clio cus- traditional datacentres. help transform an organisation be more innovative than an external strike a better work-life balance with phones and social networks in all Legal solutions have traditionally petitive edge from the full breadth tomer, adds: “I grew up on com- “While there were some initial beyond restructurings, such as attorney.” 68% 24% 6% an enhanced holiday allowance,” aspects of their life. been designed and improved in silos, of creativity and innovation in the puters and, while a lot of my cli- doubts over the security of the cloud supporting strategies to change Becoming a partner at a top firm says Kathryn Riley, Douglas Scott’s As millennials reach an age where but cloud technology makes it easier tech industry.” entele is older than me now, very back in 2008, especially among law- business models and acting in a was always viewed as the pinnacle of 2% managing director. “If an employer Non-law firm providers of legal and quasi-legal services they rely more on legal services, many for different tools to integrate with To provide the mobile services that shortly the majority will be millenni - yers, it’s now accepted that the cloud more commercial capacity. the legal profession. However, with is selling themselves as a nimble are discovering that law firms aren’t one another, enabling legal profes- millennial clients crave, law firms must als too. We’re used to using a com- is more secure than on-premise solu- “GCs tend to be business minded C-suite directors from other sectors 19% 40% 30% 11% and dynamic legal business, they meeting those expectations. Some 30 sionals to craft technology ecosys- embrace cloud-based practice man- puter to find an answer immediately. tions,” says Mr Newton. “Clio spends and outcome focused, driven by increasingly keen to recruit lawyers need to move with the times.” per cent of millennials who have had tems that work for them. agement, with integrated document Sometimes we don’t want to call hundreds of thousands of dollars commerce and results,” says Rhi- into important roles, lawyers in pri- While technologies such as arti- a legal issue say they prefer to use Clio’s platform, which with a management and accounting tools. anyone on the phone. We just want each year on security, penetration annon Cambrook-Woods, manag- vate practice are recognising other Non-traditional law firms ficial intelligence will automate technology to share legal documents 150,000-strong customer base is It’s clear that those who continue to to send a quick message, or log in to testing, a dedicated security team ing director at legal recruitment avenues for success. “GCs who can some legal processes, success in with their lawyer, compared to 23 per used in more than 90 countries, cur- something quickly, and get the infor- and much more to make sure all client firm Zest Recruitment and Con- communicate, operate pragmati- 9% 47% 27% 17% the industry will continue to rely cent of older clients, according to the rently integrates with 18 leading UK mation we want straight away.” data is secure.” sultancy LLP. “They are deter- cally and behave commercially have on having the best people. With an 2017 Legal Trends Report by Clio, the legal apps and services thanks to an Cloud technology allows law mined to get things right for their been rightly catapulted into prom- increasingly competitive landscape world’s leading legal practice man- open application programming inter- firms to remove the hindrances For more information please visit employer and are very mindful of inent business roles,” says Matt Branded managed networks of independent lawyers and the growing lure of in-house agement platform. face or API platform that allows appli- of outdated processes. Scotland- clio.com/uk managing costs.” Meyer, chief executive at law firm legal departments, law firms can no What once seemed like a wish-list cations to interact. We believe technology will based law firm owners Emma Reid Jochen Kasper, vice president Taylor Vinters. 25% 61% 12% longer count on prestige only when of irreconcilable demands is now “We believe technology will con- con tinue to transform and and Cathy Donald, for example, and legal counsel Europe, Middle With the work-life balance of a GC recruiting talent – building a cul- a prerequisite for survival in the tinue to transform and redefine use timers in Clio to keep a digi - East and Africa for software firm also considered far better than that 2% ture befitting of the millennial gen- modern legal landscape. Clio began the legal practice, and we want to redefine the legal practice tal record of their billable hours, Infor, adds: “As a prerequisite to of somebody working in a private Altman Weil 2017 eration is paramount. 14 LEGAL INNOVATION RACONTEUR.NET 15

32% 6% 49% 25-34 80%+ of millennials say workplace tech would have an influence when deciding to take a job Jack Newton 29% 31% 27% Chief executive and co-founder 35-44 Clio

COMMERCIALCommercial FEATUREfeature ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Digital and emerging legal technologies Percentage of law firms that are using/plan to use the following technologies Lawyers organise to protect the planet High-value legal service Transactional legal services Business support Governments Innovating for a 59% and companies Mobile applications 63% 76% that pollute the competitive future planet are being 81% % challenged by a As an era of unprecedented opportunity opens Client collaboration tools 84 28% growing band up for legal businesses, only those who actively 49% of campaigning embrace new ways of working, even if that means Automated document 85% production environmental battling traditionally risk-averse cultures, will be 28% lawyers fully poised to reap the benefits 19% Robotic process 64% automation 36%

41% echnology, data and alter- building a culture of experimentation, to many industries that are also cur- % native business models are this encourages a broader willingness rently confronting digital disruption. Artificial intelligence 66 SHARON THIRUCHELVAM disrupting the legal sector, to try new ways of working. Crucially This shift challenges established 26% T with artificial intelligence though, products and services should business models and presents cli- hen James Thornton (AI) taking over many mundane tasks. still be carefully tested with inbuilt ents with increased choice. Hence, 54% first visited Brussels Meanwhile, the latest software will ways of mitigating development risks many established businesses are Big data and predictive 43% in 2007, there were allow clients to cost-effectively per- through an effective innovation pro- attempting to transform themselves analytics 15,000 corporate lob- Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Kitwood/Getty Dan 59% ClientEarth form various legal operations they internally before rivals get there first. Wbyists buzzing around the European had previously paid the legal industry For law firms, this means seeking out Commission, including several well- to undertake. areas that are ripe for change and 61% paid senior legal counsel, but not people agree mutually to bind them- People’s Court of China, ClientEarth environmental permits system. James Thornton to the Paris goals, progress is still from public testing out ways to update their work- Legal businesses with an eye to Data visualisation 51% one environmental lawyer. selves to create an outcome – that has been working with the Chinese Mr Thornton acknowledges that interest law firm stymied by a lack of political will, the future will be at the forefront of ing practices. 56% Unlike in the United States, is our concern,” says Mr Thornton, Ministry for Environmental Protec- while China’s ambition to become ClientEarth, which political weakness and fear of short- these developments, commissioning, Innovation is not To prepare for this shift, a first step where the environmental move- founder and chief executive of Cli- tion and federal prosecutors to build an “ecological civilisation” is not is currently suing term economic fallout. Instead, law- the UK government testing and launching new technology for firms would be to rethink the ment evolved in the slipstream of entEarth, the UK’s first public inter- a culture of compliance that will couched in the language of human yers are rising to the challenge, and just technology, over illegal levels of and alternative business models that fundamental time-based business 45% civil rights, and where Mr Thornton est law firm. make it easier to bring environmen- or civil rights, he is encouraged by air pollution striving to bridge the legal, regula- make clients’ lives simpler. Leaders but about how model. Historically, the legal sector Smart contracts 70% trained and worked for the National ClientEarth’s track record is tal cases to court, try them fairly and the country’s urgent commitment to tory and policy gaps left in the wake in this space will focus on reducing is driven by time to the point where 18% Resources Defense Council, in impressive. The firm, which has hold polluters to account. This ambi- the cause. “The feeling of openness of the Paris Agreement. costs for clients while improving the people make the a legal adviser in a traditional law firm Europe the environmental lobby was offices in London, Brussels and tious project involves the training and creativity is enormous there,” he “A recurring theme post-Paris effectiveness of legal operations. most of human- records their day in six-minute units. dominated by campaigners not law- Warsaw, has never lost a case, and judges, all the way from the Supreme says. “In Europe, we have a mature has been that although the money Simultaneously, forward-thinking This attitude towards the empha- 31% yers. This is beginning to change. includes among its successes the People’s Court to the provincial system and we have to put enormous for these green investments exists, businesses will look to move into a only capabilities sis on time, rather than results, will Blockchain solutions 41% Lawyers are beginning to proselyt- halting of new coal-fired power sta- courts, training of prosecutors, on work into making it work.” investors are hesitant to deploy range of connected services with a need to change as clients increasingly 21% ise, lobby and litigate against poli- tions in the UK and Poland. how to bring environmental cases to Despite European governments’ their funds in the absence of sta- view to providing a more comprehen- in an increasingly expect quality service at any length. ticians and policymakers over the Merely a decade old, ClientEarth court, and deployment of an effective reiteration of their commitment ble and transparent legal frame- sive offering, catering for consulting, At DWF, we recommend three key environment and their enforcement has won a raft of awards and acco- works, including neutral and reli- digital world PwC 2017 accountancy, communications and mechanisms for change in the law duties. And the timing couldn’t be lades. In 2017, it was named the Legal able enforcement mechanisms,” legal services. As the big four – PwC, firms of the future. A strong research more crucial. 500’s Public Law Firm of the Year, and Environmental law infringements in Europe says Annette Magnusson, secretary Deloitte, KPMG and EY – move in on and development culture is crucial, was ranked second by the Financial general of the Arbitration Institute Number of infringements per European Union member state in 2017 the legal industry’s turf, law firms can cess. As for all law firms, it is imper- either with a dedicated department can ensure those most suitable to among lawyers are wide off the mark. Times against all law firms and legal of the Stockholm Chamber of Com- match these new rivals by expanding ative that the accuracy and preci- within the business or by setting certain clients and sectors can be Document automation, virtual assis- services providers in Europe for its Spain 30 merce and general counsel of the their own services. sion expected from legal services are up a separate development arm. appropriately offered. A third area tants, extraction tools and digital originality, leadership and impact. Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. Greece 27 To seize these new opportunities, never compromised. Secondly, by alerting senior leaders of change is one that many busi- review technologies should free up Currently, it is suing the UK gov- The Arbitration Institute of the Italy 18 companies must embark on trans- This is not an unfamiliar story; to new developments on the horizon nesses have dabbled in across the time for lawyers to instead work on Lawyers are rising ernment over illegal levels of air Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, forming their culture, with lawyers thanks to the new startup wave, the and they in turn setting aside time to sector, setting up the right environ- delivering superior, more tailored to the challenge, pollution, and last year it won a Poland 18 in collaboration the International Bar actively evolving their outlook. By legal industry faces similar challenges review the latest innovations, firms ment for early and fast-growth ser- services to their clients. landmark case against Poland’s Austria 17 Association and crowdfunding web- vice incubators. Where historically law firms have and striving to bridge extreme-right government in the Cyprus 16 site HeroX, have launched an innova- Steps can be taken to ensure law perhaps looked for recruits in rel- European Court of Justice over the Germany 16 tion prize to encourage the creation of firms nurture progressive ideas, as atively similar backgrounds, in the the legal, regulatory illegal logging of the country’s pri- an international legal instrument to Czech Republic 15 Our new services well as give them the financial back- future those from science, engineer- meval Białowieża Forest. incentivise and protect cross-border and policy gaps left UK 15 ing to commercialise new products. ing and maths will be increasingly While the litigation cases are atten- investments aimed at climate change When an initiative or new product important to provide a varied skillset. in the wake of the tion grabbing, Mr Thornton explains Portugal 14 mitigation and adaptation. has been proven and the time is ripe This mindset is part of the more agile, that 60 per cent of ClientEarth’s work Romania 13 The Stockholm Treaty Lab specifi- DWF to launch it, an incubator style model change-embracing culture that the Paris Agreement is behind the scenes. One such case is Slovenia 13 cally aims to dismantle silos between Ventures offers the resources to move that shift to an innovation-based model a year’s-long programme to reframe the legal sector and other disciplines, Ireland 12 Introducing DWF Ventures, product into early growth. These sug- should encourage. the fiduciary duty of institutional as well as within the legal sector itself. Belgium 11 our arms-length research and gestions of new services can come We are in an increasingly competi- investors, such as pension funds, to “The two most obvious are between development company, which from external sources such as start- tive landscape where clients demand Christiana Figueres, the former take climate change risk into account. Bulgaria 10 international investment law and cli- provides support to help clients: ups or from innovations that begin greater efficiency and lower costs United Nations climate chief and It is expected this should lead to the France 9 mate change law,” says Ms Magnus- within the law firm itself. from legal businesses. This, coupled architect of the Paris Agreement, divestment of high-carbon projects. 8 son, who points to the 40,000 cases Generating Delivering Sweden Clients Innovate and frame new ideas At DWF, we champion a strong rep- with the threat of lawtech startups, warns that unless greenhouse gas But it is in China where ClientEarth’s pending relating to investment dis- ideas R&D Hungary 7 utation for innovation that comes should hammer home the urgency to emissions begin to fall within the mission to strengthen the rule of law putes in renewable energy. Experiment to design and develop Finland 7 from constantly preparing our busi- be proactive and occupy the higher next two years, the planet could face and protect the environment has the Original thinking is essential to new concepts Malta 6 % ness for shapeshifting opportunities, ground of innovation first. dangerous and irreversible tem- largest potential impact. In 2014, Cli- 25 overcoming the regulatory and of all environmental law Nurture and grow new and stemmed from evolving our culture perature increases. Such increases entEarth was invited to help write reg- Denmark 4 technical hurdles that stand in the infringements across Nurturing emerging services and business model. would render the goal outlined in ulations relating to a landmark law Latvia 4 way of a low-carbon economy. The Europe related to the water early-growth Innovation is not just technol- the Paris Agreement, to prevent that China had recently passed to allow Netherlands 3 private sector is more committed services sector, compared with 19 ogy, but about how people make temperatures rising more than 2C Chinese environmental NGOs to bring Estonia 2 per cent for waste and 17 than ever to sustainability, but with- the most of human-only capabili- by 2100, unachievable. cases against polluting companies, out stable and long-term legal and Luxembourg 2 per cent for air ties in an increasingly digital world. “Moving from political agreement including state-owned organisations. policy structures in place, its will- Predictions of an AI-fuelled job cull to concrete regulatory schemes that As special advisers to the Supreme European Commission 2018 ingness to invest will diminish. 16 LEGAL INNOVATION RACONTEUR.NET 17

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MENTAL HEALTH OPINION COLUMN Commercial feature

Facing the taboo of mental health at work ‘It is quite obvious High-pressured jobs in the legal law ﬁ rms will have to profession can take their toll, but firms are beginning to take the mental health change their business of staff more seriously Images skaman306/Getty model and innovate their products’ tough questions about a corporate MARTIN BARROW culture that promises financial rewards but, too often, at a high ovani James dreamed of a personal cost to employees. he rapid pace of technologi- doing basic drafting in basement long and fulfilling career In recent years, high-profile cal evolution will aff ect soci- offices. They will probably not be in law, and she took a major suicides of senior partners have ety as a whole and will also needed in the future, at least not step when she became a made headlines. But the discipli- potentially reshuﬄ e the as much. Sjunior lawyer with a major firm nary process against Ms James, Tentire legal market. This will pres- What then is the lawyer of the Conference calls with offices in London and across a junior lawyer, shined a light on ent challenges and opportunities future? Machines are never going the South East. an unsustainable, target-driven and law firms will need to antici- to be able to deal with emotions, But her dream became a night- culture that encouraged bullying pate the future legal landscape to negotiation strategies, or work mare as she struggled to cope with and intimidation. formulate a strategic plan. with people more generally. We and client security a culture of fear in her workplace, Sadly, her testimony will strike For me innovation is a word that will probably see lawyers focusing which has been criticised by the a chord with many working in the tries to capture the steps law- more on guiding the client. How- Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. legal profession. LawCare, a char- yers and law firms are taking to ever, unless we are able to visual- While law firms increase efforts to protect client In January, Ms James was found ity set up to support mental health anticipate and respond to the ise what the law firm of the future to have acted dishonestly in creat- and wellbeing in the legal commu- more general changes happen- looks like, it is very difficult to do confidentiality from cyberbreaches, a glaring hole ing and backdating letters to give nity, has seen a strong increase in ing in the marketplace. When we meaningful innovations that are the impression that a clinical neg- the number of callers to its help- speak about innovation, I think also substantive. remains exposed when it comes to remote meetings ligence case was progressing. How- line over the past couple of years. we need to look at how the market In the face of these challenges, I’ve ever, the tribunal opted against Nearly half the solicitors and bar- is changing. Technology is prob- set up two task forces at the Inter- striking her off the roll after con- risters who called for help cited ably the most important driver national Bar Association (IBA). cluding her primary motivation depression, anxiety and workplace of this change, but I would say The first focuses on the future of ecurity breaches in the legal mainstream majority, who continue was fear of the consequences from stress as the reason. The major- the business environment is also legal services where we have done world are on the rise. According to play it safe with dial-in. the firm’s management of the dis- ity of callers were women (65 per changing. some initial research and now we to PwC’s annual survey, 60 per So are we doomed to a never-ending covery of her wrongdoing. cent) and 45 per cent were trainees Look at the law itself: we’re used are identifying individual projects Scent of law firms reported a future of painful, insecure dial-in confer- In its judgment the tribunal said: or had been qualified five years or to having national laws that peo- where the IBA believes it can add security incident in 2017. encing? Certainly not. At LoopUp, we’ve “Pressures suff ered by management less. Last year the number of call- ple learn about at law school, but value. The IBA is uniquely placed While email, BYOD (bring your own 50%+ taken a contrarian approach to software were passed down to the fee-earners rose by 11 per cent over the pre- all of a sudden we are dealing in the legal marketplace to add device) and various technologies fea- of frequent conference design. Rather than trying to wow the ing team, who must have felt that vious 12 months. with transactions that are border- that global perspective. The other ture as areas of concern, any mention callers consider it normal tech savvy, LoopUp has been built very they were carrying the weight of the Elizabeth Rimmer, chief execu- less. So when we look at a bitcoin task force centres on cybersecu- of conference calling tools, which not to know exactly who is specifically for the mainstream majority. world on their junior shoulders.” tive of LawCare, says the increase or blockchain-based transaction, rity issues. As technology plays an are in constant use by legal teams for on their conference calls In the wider software world, this might Giving evidence, Ms James said: in demand for the charity’s support to do, but also there is a business tic about the outlook for mental what is the applicable law? Which increasing role in what lawyers are important client communications, is be seen as foolhardy, but considering the “Almost daily I would be in tears is a cause for concern, but adds that case,” she says. health in law firms. The Solicitors jurisdiction governs the transac- doing, cybersecurity is gaining in notably absent. risk-averse nature of the remote-meet- due to the pressures I was under… it may also signal a positive change The stigma of mental health remains The stigma of mental Disciplinary Tribunal’s strong con- tion? How do you litigate around importance and needs to be con- “Who just joined?” is perhaps the such as not knowing who’s speaking, ings world, we think it’s essential if we are The stress I was under was obvi- in the culture of law fi rms. a huge challenge across the legal pro- demnation of working practices, in that? I don’t pretend to know all sidered in the context of any inno- most-asked question ever on con- waiting for late joiners and dealing to entice them away from dial-in. ous towards the end of my time “Law firms are beginning to take fession and not only in the UK. Law- health remains a the Sovani James case, is just one the answers, but clearly there are vation project. ference calls. This stems from the with distracting background noise. We don’t overwhelm users with fea- with the firm. I was clearly dis- employee mental health and well- yers and their teams are expected to huge challenge across sign that attitudes are changing for new areas in substantive law that No one’s crystal ball is better fact that most lawyers are still dialing The answer lies in how people tend to tures; we believe less is more when it tressed and cried regularly. My being seriously. There is a greater cope under huge pressure, working the better. need to be adapted. than anyone else’s, but it is quite in with phone numbers and access adopt software. Very few work through comes to remote meetings. Our min- hair started to fall out and I put awareness that there are issues long hours with little respite. Under the legal profession “Employers are realising they There has also been a huge obvious law firms will have to codes. They’re not using any software a user guide. For most, it’s a process imalist interface is designed to guide on weight.” that need to be addressed. Mental such conditions, it becomes diffi cult need to provide more flexible change in how clients value legal change their business model and for a visual representation of who’s of trial and error over time. You test users through an intuitive experience, Mental health in the workplace health is higher up the agenda and to admit that you are struggling to working opportunities and that services. Following the finan- innovate their products. Some actually on their meetings. the waters by clicking a few things with with no training required. We inte- is under greater scrutiny than ever organisations are understanding cope and need help, often with cata- they need to trust their staff,” she cial crisis, clients have seen believe new technologies will In a recent survey of 1,000 frequent mixed outcomes. Maybe you leave it for grate with tools that businesses use and law firms are having to ask that not only is it the right thing strophic consequences. Having leaders willing to speak says. “The current generation is their budgets shrink and this has broaden access to justice. Many conference callers commissioned by a while and come back to it. Maybe you every day, such as Outlook and focus A study of US lawyers, published publicly about stress and depres- less attracted by high salaries and changed their approach. Many are more lawyers will be required to LoopUp, more than 50 per cent said ask a colleague for help. And over time, on a reliable, high-quality experience by the American Society of Addic- sion is having a positive impact in more interested in a better work- looking at what legal work they deal with the impact of this. I’m they thought it was quite normal not you end up either adopting it into reg- throughout every call, in terms of both tion Medicine, found alarming the legal profession. Nigel Jones life balance.” can bring in-house, and how they not sure if this is what will hap- to know exactly who’s on their calls. ular use or you don’t. audio quality and visual context. Feeling the stress rates of behavioural health prob- is chair of the City Mental Health As for Ms James, she has been can better budget for and manage pen, but I can see the logic and In confidential client meetings, this is But trial-and-error-based learning And it’s working. While our users may Junior lawyers in the UK were asked how often they feel stressed as a result of work, defi ned as being lems. Some 28 per cent experi- Alliance, a coalition of organisa- able to continue her career with a their legal service providers. hopefully they’re right. If innova- troubling at best. simply doesn’t play out well when it still dial in if they choose, 75 per cent of under too much emotional or mental pressure enced symptoms of depression, 19 tions that have come together to different firm in Chester, while liv- For some time the legal profes- tion was to have a positive impact So why do most lawyers persist with comes to remote-meetings software. the time they forego it altogether, opting Regularly Occasionally Rarely Never per cent anxiety and 23 per cent create an environment where men- ing closer to her family home. sion has largely been viewed as on access to justice, then that dial-in? After all, the experience is As host, you’re live in the hot seat with instead to have LoopUp call out to them stress; 21 per cent screened positive tal health is discussed in the same “fat cats” and there’s some appe- would be great news for all of us. rife with all too common frustrations multiple guests – clients, colleagues, on a phone of their choice. They’re then Overall for hazardous, harmful and poten- way as physical health. He is also a tite among others to start com- counterparties. The last thing you naturally guided to a webpage or mobile tially alcohol-dependent drinking. senior partner at the law firm Lin- peting in our marketplace. There want is for anything to go wrong. You app where they can see who’s on the 39% 43% 12% 7% Although there is limited equiva- klaters and a specialist in intellec- are new entrants, with startups just want something that works. meeting and who’s speaking, with intu- lent UK data, Ms Rimmer, a former tual property. and the big four getting involved And so most lawyers do something itive controls to add missing guests and lawyer, says that such statistics are “We created the City Mental in many aspects of legal services, very understandable, they default to mute background noise. a close refl ection of the legal envi- Health Alliance five years ago to and there will be more. As I have Our minimalist the devil they know – dial-in. They We’re working towards a world Legal practice course qualifi ed 3% 28% ronment here. “Many of the quali- make the City of London a health- of lawyers experienced read in one report on innovation interface is may well not like it, but at least everywhere dial-in fades into the back- ties that motivate people to choose ier place to work,” says Mr Jones. symptoms of depression in legal services: “You do not have one can dial a phone number and ground, bringing a new level of visibil- 69% 21% 7% a career in the law possibly make “We’re doing this by trying to a seat at the table because you are designed to guide punch in a code. It’s the safe play. ity and security to light. them more susceptible to mental reduce the stigma and improve the probably on the menu.” users through Plenty of feature-rich software health issues,” she says. “Lawyers literacy around mental health, and The definition of legal services products have tried to drag con- Read the Enterprise Conferencing Trainee are high achievers and perfection- identify practical steps that busi- has also changed. If you close your an intuitive ferencing out of the dark ages. And User Behaviour and Impact Report: ists. They have a fear of making mis- nesses based in the City of London, eyes and think about all the things they’ve had some success with tech- www.loopup.com/legal-innovation 25% 45% 18% 12% 19% experience, takes because so much is at stake. primarily larger businesses, can being produced by machines at savvy early adopters and certain spe- experienced anxiety They are committed to solving other take to help people remain well.” the push of a button, it makes you Martin Šolc with no training cialist user groups, such as IT and people’s problems and often do not Despite the challenges, Law- wonder where lawyers fit in. We training teams. But none have man- American Society of Addiction Medicine President Numbers may not equal 100 per cent due to rounding Law Society 2017 make time to solve their own.” Care’s Ms Rimmer is optimis- Study of US lawyers used to have many young lawyers International Bar Association required aged to “cross the chasm” into the 18 LEGAL INNOVATION RACONTEUR.NET 19

MENTAL HEALTH OPINION COLUMN Commercial feature