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‘Lawyer technologist’ roles on the rise
A hybrid role, combining the legal and IT departments of firms, is becoming the norm in overseas jurisdictions, with the trend likely to pick up speed in Australia.
Emma Musgrave
Speaking at Relativity’s Relativity Fest, held at Chicago's Hilton Hotel between 30 September–3 October, Steptoe & Johnson’s Anna Frye and Ryan Flinspach spoke of ‘the plight of the lawyer technologist’.
“A lawyer technologist to me is a hybrid role where a lawyer or paralegal perform their traditional legal role but crosses over into the role of being a technology specialist as well,” Ms Frye explained.
However, there are some key challenges associated with such a role, according to Mr Flinspach, who said lawyer technologists are often underutilised due to the fear legal professionals have over using technology.
“The other side of that is that many IT professionals assume that a lawyer technologist is just a regular lawyer and that they couldn't possibly understand IT infrastructure or the importance of the role in that field,” he added.
“So we find ourselves, unfortunately, in the middle of this and it gets left to us to prove ourselves.”
There are several ways lawyer technologists can mitigate the hesitation others in the business have in working with them, Ms Frye noted.
The first is to gain their trust.
“How do we gain their trust? The first thing is to share experiences and success stories. If you can share with them things that might make them feel good about what you’re doing, that you understand their role in the process, they’re going to look at you a little bit more comfortably,” said Ms Frye.
The next step is to get your firm excited about the role and what it has to offer.
“If you can start to give them some advice, some guidance on the way to do things, it makes them feel a little bit better," Ms Frye said.
“Now they understand that you know where they’re coming from and they also understand that you know how to speak the lingo of the other side.”
Further, its important for lawyer technologists to get themselves involved in matters they can assist with, according to Ms Frye.
“Get involved in the really early stages if they'll let you in the matter… Remind them, over and over again, that you’re on the same team. You’re not trying to steal their work. You’re trying to help them and their client,” she said.
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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