Making Partner used to be the end goal for most in the legal profession, yet new advances in technology have opened the door up to a whole new range of exciting new career possibilities. This blog explores these alternative career paths, highlighting how technology is reshaping the legal landscape and creating opportunities for legal professionals to diversify their careers.
The legal industry has long been known for its adherence to tradition and resistance to change. However, the advent of technology is challenging this status quo, offering lawyers new avenues to explore beyond conventional legal practice. From artificial intelligence (AI) to blockchain, technological innovations are not only enhancing the efficiency of legal services but also opening up alternative career paths for lawyers. This blog delves into these emerging opportunities, providing insights into how lawyers can leverage technology to diversify their careers and stay ahead in a competitive market.
One of the most prominent alternative career paths for lawyers is becoming a legal technology specialist. As law firms and legal departments increasingly adopt advanced technologies, there is a growing demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between law and technology.
Key responsibilities:
According to a ÀÏ˾»úÎçÒ¹¸£Àû survey, only 18% of lawyers believe their firm is fast or very fast at implementing new technology. This highlights the need for legal tech specialists who can drive technological adoption within firms.
"There needs to be a mind shift to recognise that law firms have more to offer than the knowledge in each lawyer’s head: institutional data and new workflows can transform the value provided to clients," says Laura Hodgson, Generative AI Lead at Linklaters.
Legal operations managers play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of legal departments. They focus on streamlining processes, managing budgets, and implementing technology to improve overall performance.
Managing vendor relationships and contracts
A survey found that 67% of legal professionals said their firm is adequate, slow, or very slow at responding to change. Legal operations managers can help address this issue by driving process improvements and technological adoption.
"Legal operations can drive change in the practice, including ensuring more efficient workflow, better alignment of technology to deliver higher quality, more efficient client outputs and deliver more robust pricing decisions," says Darren Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at Simmons & Simmons.
With the increasing importance of data protection and cybersecurity, lawyers with expertise in these areas are in high demand. These professionals help organisations navigate complex regulatory landscapes and protect sensitive information from cyber threats.
One in five (19%) large law firm lawyers said they would consider leaving if their firm didn't invest in AI.
This underscores the importance of staying current with technological advancements, including data privacy and cybersecurity.
"Firms need to decide how to address the impact of technology strategically. Now more than ever, people are aware of technology and are far more open to adopting it," says Bhavisa Patel, Director of Legal Technology at Eversheds Sutherland
Legal project managers are responsible for overseeing complex legal projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. They use project management methodologies to streamline workflows and improve collaboration among legal teams.
More than half (52%) of private practice lawyers rated their firm's legal research process as adequate, slow, or very slow.
Legal project managers can help improve efficiency and ensure timely delivery of legal services.
"Mapping out the areas that are going to have the biggest positive impact across the firm or legal team is the first step," says Tony Randle, Partner, Client Tech & Service Improvement at Shoosmiths.
Legal knowledge managers focus on capturing, organising, and sharing knowledge within a law firm or legal department. They ensure that valuable information is easily accessible, helping lawyers work more efficiently and effectively.
More than a third (35%) of lawyers said their firm is adequate, slow, or very slow at delivering legal work in general. Legal knowledge managers can help address this issue by improving access to information and resources.
"Knowledge management is key for driving change in how we structure and utilise our core documents to enable the effective use of AI-powered tools," says Mitchell at Simmons & Simmons
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