Tech reimagined

We’ve all read our fair share of articles about the value of legal tech and the future of the SME legal industry. In fact, the sector has made tremendous strides over the last decade – very notably during the pandemic. In this issue, we go back to the fundamentals, start from scratch and look at the same old tech from new perspectives. 

The opening feature takes a deep dive into how different firm types and sizes view the role of tech in their business (p3). We learn the distinction between innovation and invention, and revisit the origins of knowledge work (p10). We ask what makes up the core tech of a firm (p12), and whether those systems are truly secure (p13). We also read of real transformation journeys that involve higher efficiency (p11) and easier automation (p13). 

Also in the mix are insights on the risk landscape – what are the most common regulatory breaches in SME law?(p10) Are law firms expected to focus more on ethical work and behaviour?(p14) And, in a special feature for this issue, we speak to Brian Boehmer, partner at Lockton, about the current state of the professional indemnity insurance market, and how law firms should be gearing up for renewal season (p8).