Legal Technologist: A Pivotal Role in Legal Sector Evolution

The global legal technology industry is experiencing rapid growth as law firms strive to adopt technology that will help them stay competitive and efficient in a fast-paced environment. Valued at $27.6bn in 2023, market intelligence analyst Arizton predicts it will reach $55bn by 2029. Behind these numbers is an incredible diversity of legal tech innovators developing products to help lawyers do their jobs more quickly, easily, and effectively. Deciding which combination of legal tech solutions best fits a law firm’s requirements – and implementing them effectively – is increasingly the responsibility of a legal technologist, a role that has been developing rapidly over the past five years.

A quick web search for “legal technologist role” yields recruitment advertisements from leading law firms seeking individuals to “bridge the gap” between lawyers and technology. Their role is to design and implement a technology ecosystem that delivers productivity gains and enhances the service offered to clients, who now have high expectations regarding the use of technology by their law firm. This is a complex challenge that owes as much to understanding people as it does to knowledge of the law and technology expertise.

What skills do you need as a legal technologist?

Sitting at the intersection between law and technology – and arguably at the helm of the productivity engine – legal technologists must possess or be prepared to acquire a range of complementary skills.

Experience in law is valuable, though you don’t need to be a lawyer: Many legal technologists are also qualified in law or have operational experience working in law and IP firms, for example (but not limited to), trade mark and IP Paralegals, legal administrators, and IT Project Managers, so they are familiar with the processes, internal structures, terminology, and client expectations at play. It’s an interesting new career option for law graduates, too, where they can apply what they’ve learned in their degree in an adjacent role. Given the expected growth in the market, a career in legal technology is likely to be both secure and fulfilling.

Technology experience is an advantage, but you don’t need to be a systems engineer or software programmer: Instead, an analytical mind is valuable, and a willingness to learn is essential.

CedarIP COO Nick March, who is a Chartered Trade Mark paralegal and legal technology expert, believes that soft skills such as communication and empathy are enormously important: “You need to be able to understand the pain points and blockers lawyers and administrators are experiencing in their daily work, then evaluate the impact these are having and identify the advantages that would accrue if they were solved by technology. These can be as much around lawyer wellbeing and work fulfilment as productivity gains, ROI, and client benefits. Then you need to articulate them clearly to build a solid business case to help engage stake holders as you explore solutions.”

Professional curiosity is another advantageous trait in a legal technologist role. The market changes fast, with new solutions emerging all the time. Consequently, legal technologists must stay up to speed with developments while retaining a degree of caution and keeping a high-level perspective on how their firm is progressing with tech adoption. Ultimately, investment in legal technology must proceed logically and realistically, rather than being carried along on a wave of hype – it’s part of the legal technologist’s role to maintain this balance.

Challenges to thrive on: change and continuity

As a legal technologist in a law firm, you’re working at the intersection of hundreds of years of legal precedent and process, and the power and potential of new technology, much of which we’re uncovering daily. Understandably, law firms and lawyers can find the pace of change uncomfortable, which can lead to cynicism and a reluctance to adopt new solutions. Consequently, change management is an important element of the role. But change can only be successful if it has backing at senior level.

Nick explains: “Investing in legal technology is a strategic activity, New technology initiatives must be board-driven, or you must be able to demonstrate their value persuasively enough to secure board buy-in. It’s essential that directors understand what a new solution will mean for the firm’s employees and that they are willing to invest in the training and support needed to ensure technology is successfully adopted.”

Change management is an area where legal technologists should work closely with software providers. Software implementation is about much more than simply adding an icon to users’ desktops and switching the service on. Even the most intuitive solution should be accompanied by training and a full support service, so any issues can be ironed out quickly.

It’s also important to maintain continuity where possible, ensuring that new solutions integrate well with the existing technology ecosystem and don’t add complexity to processes that were previously effective.

AI-powered legaltech offers new opportunities

Applying artificial intelligence to legal processes is the next exciting challenge for legal technologists. All the above factors apply: investment must be measured and realistic, but not excessively cautious; it must be led or supported from board level, and change management is key for successful adoption. However, the scope and scale of potential benefits and risks is arguably even greater.

Nick concludes: “Legal technologists will need all their analytical skills, curiosity, legal, and technology experience to help guide law firms successfully through this revolutionary era. Certainly, the role of legal technologist is only going to increase in importance in the coming years, making it a great career choice for new entrants and career-changers alike, not only because it is secure, but because it is an intellectually stimulating, exciting, and highly relevant field at the forefront of legal sector transformation.”

Legal Technologist: A Pivotal Role in Legal Sector Evolution

What skills do you need as a legal technologist?

Challenges to thrive on: change and continuity

AI-powered legaltech offers new opportunities

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