What motivated you to apply for the legal tech placement?
After spending a couple of days working in the Commercial & Technology department at another law firm, I was keen to learn more about how technology was impacting law. Reading about how technology was disrupting the legal market and how firms were starting to set up tech incubators, I saw this as an exciting opportunity to get hands-on experience with legal technology and a head-start in terms of understanding its application in a legal context.
How did you find the knowledge you have learned through your studies applied to the placement and how much did you learn from the scheme that was new?
As we were focusing on developing a technology package to improve communication about and collaboration on client matters, the scheme tested my understanding of legal processes rather than my substantive legal knowledge. I gained an invaluable insight into the way in which a law firm operates and how it harnesses technology to improve the delivery and efficiency of its services, benefitting both its clients and lawyers.
What was your favourite aspect of the placement?
Meeting partners, knowledge lawyers, IT professionals and more was fantastic. I really enjoyed explaining our ideas and collaborating with professionals in order to discover new, creative ways of using technology to increase the efficiency of different legal matters. Through speaking with people from different practice areas, I gained exposure to the variety of different sectors Osborne Clarke works within and a real feel for the firm’s friendly, innovative culture. Being able to present our findings and have experts in the field actively engage with our ideas was the icing on the cake!
What advice would you give to a student considering applying for the placement?
For those studying law especially, the placement does not require you to have specific technological skills. It is about being able to think creatively about how the technology you are using can be applied in a legal context. Talking about how you have used technology in everyday settings, for example during the running of a society, is a fantastic way of showcasing your ability to harness technology to benefit a business on an application form.
During the placement, be enthusiastic, open to new ideas and get stuck in! If you have an idea, pitch it to your mentors and discuss how to put it in action. Engage with people across the firm - it is a fantastic way to gain an insight into life as a lawyer and learn more about how technology is transforming the legal landscape which you may be entering into in the future.
After the placement, reflect on your experiences and the skills you developed and make a few short notes. Whether you are pursuing a career in law or not, the opportunity you will be given to help shape the use of technology at the firm during the scheme will make for interesting discussions at future interviews.