The Law’s “Robot Apocalypse” – Why Millenials Are Sceptical About The Future Law Firm

Embracetechnology

With all the talk of the effect of artificial intelligence and the manner in which it will reshape the future law firm, one Big Law firm has taken a fresh approach to handling the challenge – by asking the associates what to do.

Bryan Cave started thinking about all this in May when their chief innovation officer Katie DeBord joked to associates at as training retreat about the lack of preparedness for the onset of AI.

“We have not had a robot apocalypse,” she said. “You guys are not being replaced by robots. Now.”

The development of AI is rapidly changing the face of how law firms operate – there’s no question about that.  How far will it go?  To what extent can it replace the lawyers?

But the question rather is what to do about it – or how?  As Law.com reports, the firm started a program in 2013 to have associates meet for a two day training session on the future of the firm they will one day become partners in.

Skeptical Associates

“Millennials are incredibly skeptical of today’s law firm model,” says William Henderson, a law professor at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. In an ALM Intelligence survey of new partners last year, a mere 6 percent said large firms were “very well prepared” to respond to changes in the business model driven by clients and technology advances.

The associates who participate in the group are a self-selected group with an interest in technology and the changing business of law.

As reported by the Chicago Tribune (“What if the Lunatics Run the Asylum”) the associates are flown from Bryan Cave offices around the globe and told to cannibalize their partners’ business.

Hack-a-Thon

A consulting firm was hired to draw illustrations that captured key moments during the two-day meeting.

Photo by Karen Elshout.

The future depends on their ability to adapt. And partners need to learn to listen and empower them, the Tribune reported.

“Hack-a-Thon”

The firm’s “hack-a-thon” lets the associates present their ideas for new technologies, with the firm promising to spend  $10,000 developing the winning idea.

This year, associates gave a mock presentation to general counsel for an RFP, utilizing the pricing department, technologists and project managers.

Bryan Cave has used the program to instill within the firm with a receptiveness to new technology and has helped the firm twice win the Most Innovative Law Firm of the Year award from the International Legal Technology Association.

Source: Law.com; Chicago Tribune; LawFuel


Leading law firm named finalist in New Zealand Law Awards

MinterEllisonRuddWatts is proud to be named as a finalist in all deal categories, and a challenger for the Large Law Firm of the Year, Deal Team of the Year and Employer of Choice categories.
The New Zealand Law Awards celebrate excellence within the legal profession. They recognise outstanding achievements advising on the country’s largest and most complex deals, commitment to delivering excellent client service, and the country’s leading legal expertise.
Lloyd Kavanagh, Chair of MinterEllisonRuddWatts says: “We are proud to be named as a finalist in the awards. This recognises the place of our firm as one of New Zealand’s foremost law firms. It reflects our commitment to achieving great, innovative outcomes for our clients, while being a great place to work. We do that through our twin strengths of diversity of talent, and one team collaboration.”
The firm’s recognition follows being named New Zealand Law Firm of the Year by Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific.
Award categories and deal nominations include:
– Large law firm of the year
– Employer of Choice
– Deal team of the year
– M&A Deal of the Year –
o Accident Compensation Corporation and NZ Super’s Acquisition of stake in Kiwibank Group
o Allnex Acquisition of Nuplex Industries
o Silver Fern Farms share sale
o Z Energy Acquisition of Chevron New Zealand
– Capital Markets Deal of the Year –
o Synlait Milk’s Capital Raising and dual listing
– Consumer, Media and Tech Deal of the Year –
o NBC Universal-MediaWorks for Bravo channel launch
– International Deal of the Year –
o Silver Fern Farms share sale
– Mid-Market Deal of the Year –
o Tomra acquisition of Compac Sorting
o Vector’s acquisition of E-Co Products
Congratulations to the finalists for the MinterEllisonRuddWatts In-house Lawyer of the Year Award –
o Andrew Cordner – Fonterra
Sasha Daniels – Spark New Zealand
o Jonathon Earl – KiwiRail
o Katherine Evans – Zespri International Ltd
o David Knight – Transpower New Zealand Ltd
o Catherine Schache – Environment Canterbury
o Malcolm Shaw – New Zealand Post Ltd
o Howard Thomas – Mercury
o Scott Weenink – Auckland Airport
o Blair Williams – IAG New Zealand
Winners will be announced at a gala event on 23 November at the Langham Auckland.
ENDS
Named New Zealand Law Firm of the Year by Chambers and Partners in 2017, MinterEllisonRuddWatts is a top tier New Zealand law firm known for providing clients with technically excellent legal solutions and innovative advice. We are trusted advisors and work alongside our clients to ensure success. We are proud to be a New Zealand law firm offering a global outlook. Our offices in Auckland and Wellington are able to access an international network through the MinterEllison Legal Group, a leading firm in the Asia-Pacific. The firm supports numerous charitable endeavours and organisations through its pro bono and fundraising initiatives.

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