LegalTech with Shaz Aziz
Our guest this week is Shaz Aziz. A lawyer by training, Shaz left practice to transition to the legal technology (LegalTech) arena. Leaving the security of a stable city firm job for an uncertain future at a young start-up, Shaz is now Director of Markets and Growth at Neota Logic Inc. But what is LegalTech and how worried should you be about the rise of the machines rendering your future career in law redundant?
For many, the term LegalTech can seem a nebulous concept. Its breadth can make it feel difficult to get your head around but the core principle is easy to understand; in basic terms, LegalTech is any technology that can be used to better deliver legal services or reshape the legal industry. While the range of possible applications is broad, from software, to automation, to machine learning, this is because legal services themselves are broad. At its heart, LegalTech is just technology that can help or improve your work as a lawyer.
In recent years, LegalTech has seen a real uplift, as it becomes more accessible and user-friendly, both in terms of creation and application. As technology continues to make inroads into more and more areas, it’s important for any young lawyer to have an understanding of it and its capacity to change the market. Some firms have started launching training contracts with a real tech focus, such as Clifford Chance’s ‘IGNITE’ scheme, underlining the increasing importance of technology to future legal careers.
This isn’t to say that you need to be a tech expert to work in law, or even within LegalTech itself. Shaz himself is the first to admit that he’s not a tech person. The rise of ‘no-code’ platforms, such as that offered by Neota, means that more and more people can get involved with software development. When building something new is a question of using drag and drop features, or boxes and arrows, rather than staring at opaque lines of code, more people can get involved, empowering them to guide the process and becoming more invested in the outcome.
Nor is LegalTech an attempt to replace lawyers with robots and computers. The focus is very much on improving services and efficiency to improve outcomes. It’s unlikely we’ll ever get to the point of replacing lawyers and this isn’t the goal, so don’t panic - firms will always need lawyers to deliver services. But you do need to understand that LegalTech will be a big part of the picture and that the skills and mindset changes that can come with a close engagement with technology, such as agile working and systems thinking, will be incredibly beneficial to people entering the law profession.
But what about those of you who might want to jump over and follow in Shaz’s footsteps by forging a career of your own in this space? No matter what stage you’re at in your legal career, whether you’re still a student or a qualified lawyer at a city firm, the decision to change direction can be scary. You might be afraid of how friends and family, or even co-workers, will react; will they feel disappointed and let down? You might be worried about your financial security; there’s no shame in wanting to earn good money and many people get into law for this reason. Or you might simply be nervous about going ‘off-plan’; like Shaz, perhaps you always imagined training as a lawyer, qualifying, and then working up to partner.
Any worries you might have are perfectly valid, and to be expected with any big change. But it’s always a good idea to check in with yourself regularly and question your assumptions – if you’re not happy doing what you’re doing at the moment, for whatever reason, you can make a change. Investigate why you’re unhappy and if you decide you want to try something new, do it. Don’t discount your fears but also don’t make them bigger than they are. Shaz’s advice is to try to reframe them – if you’re worried about how a firm and team who have invested time and money into you might react, as Shaz was, focus instead on the benefits a move might have for these people; they will now have a contact in an adjacent industry which might pay off for them in future. Don’t assume that you’re destined for financial hardship and ruin if you leave the law; there’s no reason why you couldn’t end up earning just as much, if not more, in LegalTech. And don’t fall into the trap of assuming any change is irreversible; at the end of the day, if it doesn’t work out you can always go back. The important thing is to do what’s right for you.
‘It’s all about collecting a set of powerful and valuable skills and going to the places which are going to teach you those things. You don’t have to stay on one track if you’re not learning what you want to learn.’
There are lots of advantages to working in LegalTech, whether that’s at a start-up or a more established company. It can be very rewarding to work in an area where you’re adding value to the industry, guiding people to solutions and promoting products and services One of the biggest rewards for Shaz was actually the greater freedom and control working in LegalTech gave him over his own time and energy. Although it’s still hard work, not being beholden to the whims and timeframes of clients was a real plus.
If you are interested in a career in LegalTech, or just want to find out more, there are lots of resources available. Some of Shaz’s favourites are The Artificial Lawyer and The Legal Technologist. There’s also the Legal Geek annual conference, happening this year between 12th and 14th October in a hybrid format in London and online. Last but not least, you can also keep in mind our three takeaways:
Don’t overcomplicate it. Ignore the tech jargon and remember that LegalTech is just technology which is trying to improve the delivery of legal services. Look at what it’s doing and how it’s trying to solve problems – awareness of LegalTech, and the skills that come with it, is very valuable.
You don’t have to be ‘techy’. The ability to code is not essential, either to work in or with LegalTech. Things are becoming more accessible and user-friendly all the time; what’s important are the knowledge and perspectives you can bring to the potential applications.
Reframe any concerns. Whether you’re worried about the impact of tech on the law profession, or have concerns about making a career change into this sector, always keep the benefits in mind. Try not to make your fears bigger than they need to be and instead embrace the change.
Contact Shaz Aziz on LinkedIn
