Welcome to Legal Workflow Decoded

Now that the holiday season is over, we’re keen to share with you some insights from our recent attendance at a conference regarding GenAI and the legal sector. GenAI was the buzzword of 2023 and will be an unstoppable trend throughout this upcoming year.

But what does this mean for legal professionals? Are we headed to a dystopian future of redundant lawyers? Or is something radically progressive and exciting about to enhance the legal sector and its professionals? We’re dedicating this month’s Decoded to delving deeper into these speculations and exploring what the possibilities of GenAI could realistically entail. 

“You will not be replaced by AI…you will be replaced by a lawyer who uses AI better than you.”  Professor Richard Susskind

Efficiency and productivity

Efficiency will be a driver for the acceleration of this technology in the legal sector. During the conference, an underlining feature was the ability to speed up legal processes through automation and accessibility of legal resources. As most of you know, precious time can be spent bogged down by administration and research.

How would freeing up your day from admin help you become a better professional or law firm? That is a question that one must consider and confront in the next few years. The extremists of the GenAI resistance may have us believe that it will eradicate lawyers all together but what if it bought greater client care with less stress and more efficiency? 

Value-centric services 

This brings us to our next existential question. How do we charge for services if our work becomes speedier and more efficient? The billable hour will change, according to Shaun Jardine, (solicitor, Big Yellow Penguin). This change could have various effects, most importantly in evaluating how to price for services. Despite this complicated issue, it could lead to the benefit and development of more value-driven services.

Lawyers will need to find unique ways to add flair and value for a client. It could create a radical difference to the work culture and ideology of lawyers. Professionals will be able to break away from the monotony and focus on what called them to the profession, such as helping others. They will be encouraged to develop professionally in a new way, and it will spur a growth mindset that will hopefully create better legal services for all. 

Career Trajectories

Making it into the legal profession is no quick feat but AI will lead to quantum leaps for new lawyers because knowledge and resources are more readily available. Yet, access to resources does not account for the years of experience needed to master the art of being a legal professional. It will be interesting to see how this juxtaposition of accelerated learning through technology will bode against organically learned experience.

Access to Justice

Undoubtedly this is where the main argument for the futility of lawyers stems from. If people can access legal information and resources without a lawyer, then why use professionals? In our eyes that is a fatalistic view. Helping clients become more informed and providing better access for under-resourced sectors could be advantageous to law firms. 

Most clients would want human contact seeking help with their legal matters, even if they also want the cost reductions that greater automation can produce.  

Conclusion

These are just a few key highlights from an insightful conference graced by leading speakers in the legal tech field. There is a lot of positive momentum for lawyers and firms who are willing to embrace change. Initially, change can feel uncomfortable but adaptability will lead to innovation that benefits all. The scope and type of work of lawyers will inevitably change towards a more tech-centered role. Notably, Ian Jeffrey, CEO of The Law Society, claimed that the next 2-7 years is a “tipping point”. The digital age is upon us, and we must be ready whether we like it or not.  

What are your thoughts? Head over to our LinkedIn page and share your opinions with us.