Herbert Smith Freehills creates legal tech taskforce
updated on 25 November 2019
A specialist group of technology experts has been formed at international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills in order to tackle the growing changes that technology is bringing to the legal profession.
Describing the “unprecedented change” that will affect the way lawyers work, the firm has asserted the importance of being prepared for such changes that will soon become a part of the day-to-day life of solicitors.
As reported in The Law Gazette, the group is currently made up of 26 solicitors including senior lawyers from the firm, internal and external technology experts and a rotating complement of solicitors. The digital law taskforce will come together to discuss and advise on relevant legal technological issues including AI, blockchain and smart contracts.
Herbert Smith Freehills’ CEO Mark Rigotti said: “Our clients are facing significant digital transformation, and so are we. Our people need new skills to be able to provide our clients with the advice they need in this new, evolving business environment.”
Global head of digital law Natasha Blycha said: “The next 10 years will see an unprecedented level of change in the way legal services are delivered. The primary tool of our trade – the contract – is being digitised.
“If we look at the impact the digitalisation of money had on the financial industry and on the economy, we start to get a glimpse of the enormity of the impact we can expect from the digitalisation of contracts.”
