Looking forward, what technological advancements do you feel will impact the role of in-house legal teams in the future the most?

Looking forward, there are several technological advancements that I believe will have a significant impact on the role of in-house legal teams in the future. The first and perhaps most obvious is artificial intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to revolutionise the legal industry by automating many of the repetitive and time-consuming tasks that are currently performed by in-house legal teams. This could include tasks such as document review, contract drafting, and research, which would free up in-house lawyers to focus on more strategic and high-value work. In-house legal teams would need to monitor the AI’s results to ensure that they are accurate and relevant and use the AI’s results as a starting point for their own research and analysis.

Another technological advancement that is likely to have a big impact on in-house legal teams is blockchain. Blockchain technology allows for secure and transparent transactions without the need for intermediaries. This means that legal teams can automate many of the repetitive and time-consuming tasks that are currently performed manually.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

To be successful as an in-house lawyer in my industry, which is the High tech and SAAS industry, I believe that the unique qualities required include a deep understanding of technology and the SAAS business model, the ability to think strategically and anticipate legal risks, strong negotiation and contract drafting skills and the ability to understand and navigate international laws and regulations.

What can law firms do to improve their service to the legal department?

To improve their service to the legal department, law firms can start by thoroughly understanding their client’s business, being more responsive to relevant changing legal regulation and adapting their services accordingly. This could involve developing new legal services or investing in new technologies that support the legal department’s needs.

In conclusion, in-house legal teams will be impacted by several technological advancements in the future, such as AI, blockchain, and data analytics. To be successful as an in-house lawyer in my industry, one needs to have a deep understanding of the business, think strategically and be able to build strong relationships with internal stakeholders. Law firms can improve their service to the legal department by becoming more proactive and responsive to changing legal trends.