How Tech is Transforming the Legal Industry

The Influence of Technology on the Legal Industry

The impact of technology on the legal sector is undeniably profound, particularly in the current global pandemic context. This article aims to explore the ways in which technology is reshaping the legal sector, specifically by creating a need for new roles within law firms.

Emergence of New Roles
Technological advancements have led to the introduction of new legal roles from two distinct perspectives. Firstly, the traditional structure of law firms is becoming obsolete due to technology. The online presence of firms is rapidly expanding, offering new methods that are more cost-effective, accessible, and of superior quality. Web-based resources are exacerbating the culture of disintermediation, allowing clients to bypass solicitors and fulfill their needs through increasingly advanced systems. This technological progress is exceeding the capabilities of traditional solicitors and is expected to continue to do so, with computers projected to outstrip the capacity of the human brain within the next decade. As a result, legal professionals must adapt by offering a broader range of expertise to clients. This entails redefining the services they offer, applying legal knowledge within modern contexts, enhancing their technological abilities, integrating non-legal expertise, and most importantly, providing what technology cannot: a human touch. This evolution can be attained through the introduction of new legal roles.

Furthermore, technology has now become an integral part of legal services, making it inadequate for firms to outsource technologists. There is now a demand for individuals who possess a combination of legal knowledge and advanced technological expertise in order to meet the needs of clients effectively. This has led to the need for a new breed of professionals who can navigate technology within the legal sphere, individuals who are neither traditional solicitors nor traditional technologists. It is believed that such individuals, representing a fusion of technology and law, will be indispensable within the next 15 years as technological singularity is expected to be achieved.

Introduction of New Legal Roles
According to Susskind, new legal roles that may emerge in tandem with technology over the next two decades include the legal technologist, legal process analyst, legal data scientist, and technological research and development (R&D) worker. These roles demonstrate the intersection of law and technology in various ways, surpass the conventional profile of a solicitor, and are predicted to propel firms into the twenty-first century.

Legal Technologist
The role of a legal technologist arises directly from the infusion of technology into the legal sector. Their primary function is to serve as an intermediary between technology and law.

Legal Process Analyst
On the other hand, the legal process analyst has a more indirect connection with law and technology. They would not be directly involved in technological developments, nor would they necessarily require a legal qualification. However, their role in analysing and reorganising the structure of law firms during a period of technological change is crucial.

Legal Data Scientist
Conversely, the legal data scientist has a distinct technological foundation, as they are responsible for manipulating data for use in systems and processes. Despite this, they would not necessarily require a legal qualification, instead needing a solid understanding of the legal sector alongside a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) qualification.

Technological R&D Worker
Lastly, the technological R&D worker is a highly sought-after role in firms that strive to remain at the forefront of law and technology. This role demands a wide range of skills developed within and outside the realms of law and technology, enabling the creation of new technologies to deliver legal services.

In conclusion, the legal sector is undergoing a profound transformation as a result of technological advancements, leading to the emergence of new and unconventional roles within law firms. It is imperative for legal professionals to adapt to this evolving landscape in order to meet the needs of clients.

Author:
Amy Bullows
University of Sheffield Department of Law
The University of Sheffield School of Law
Sheffield, UK
Contact: [email protected]