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Spotlight on graduate opportunities
Ciarb West Midlands Branch has co-organised this event as part of Birmingham City University Graduate+ Week.
Register now for virtual or in-person access. The in- person event will be held at STEAMhouse (Room CST006/7) in Birmingham City University.
Undeniably, technology has become an integral part of legal practice, shaping daily operations and redefining client service paradigms. This technological evolution spans far beyond the realm of artificial intelligence, as it rapidly and decisively establishes its niche as a distinctive practice area. Within this context, roles such as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Legal Engineer have seamlessly integrated into law firms, underscoring the profound impact of technology. What’s particularly captivating is the cascade of fresh graduate prospects this fast-growing space affords. This landscape extends its opportunities not only to law graduates but also to individuals from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. The two realms of law and technology are converging, creating an array of career opportunities that transcend traditional boundaries.
Agenda:
1. Introduction
- Welcome and opening remarks from the event host, BCU Graduate+
- Brief overview of the event's purpose and goals
- UKLTA, BCS, CIArb, BCU College of Law, Criminal & Social Justice
2. The Industry Needs - Keynote speech by Lauren Watson UKLTA Chair:
- Defining the Legal Tech industry sector, its current practices, and its evolving nature
- Exploring graduate opportunities in the Legal Tech sector
3. The Role of Universities– Dr Alan Ma, BCU College of Law, Criminal & Social Justice
- Sharing insights into the inception and development of the Legal Tech module at BCU
- How universities can equip students with essential skills for a career in Legal Tech
4. Q&A Session
5. Networking Session
Our event boasts two dynamic speakers who will unravel the layers of this evolving landscape:
Lauren Watson, Chair of the esteemed UK Legal Tech Association, will present a panoramic vista of the legal tech industry. Through her insights, attendees will grasp the multifaceted nature of skills that this realm demands, primarily focusing on the requisites for legal tech practitioners. Lauren's discourse will reveal that the spectrum of necessary skills is broad and diverse, effectively opening doors for graduates from diverse educational trajectories. Whether entrenched in legal studies or other disciplines, a spectrum of compelling roles beckon.
Dr Alan Ma, a member of our College of Law, Criminal & Social Justice, recognised the chasm between the growing legal market demands and the current pedagogical landscape for law graduates. Alan instigated the revolutionary Legal Tech module three years ago, meticulously shaping it through rigorous validation and preparation. Set to commence in January 2024, this module arose to bridge the gap between industry demand and graduate supply. Alan's address will delve into the comprehensive preparatory journey, entailing two collaborative BCU staff and student research projects.
This event is free to attend, register here.
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UK Legal Tech Association (UKLTA): UKLTA unites legal professionals, tech providers, and legal service consumers to drive innovation in legal service delivery. The
association fuels dialogue, enhances efficiency, and champions tech adoption, solidifying the UK's legal tech hub status. It has the vision to reshape legal education
and lead at the intersection of law and technology for transformative change.
BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT (British Computer Society): As the preeminent professional body in the realm of computing, BCS represents a formidable force of 60,000 IT professionals worldwide, steering the trajectory of the IT industry. The vibrant Birmingham Branch stands as a regional bastion, steadfastly furthering the overarching BCS mission to propagate knowledge, education, and public welfare.
Event Speakers
Lauren Watson, Chair of UK Legal Tech Association (UKLTA).
Lauren has worked in the legal sector for the last 10 years, with over 5 years working for legal technology companies in the UK. She’s worked with hundreds of law firms ranging from midimarket firms to the global top 20 to manage all aspects of people, process and technology. Lauren is passionate about the intersection of law and technology, and how that can deliver benefits to the whole legal market. Lauren is currently Head of Product Marketing at Robin AI, a contract infrastructure platform. She previously held sales, partnerships and go-to-market strategy roles at Legl, CrowdJustice and Jameson Legal.
Dr. Alan Ma stands at the crossroads of IT, Engineering, and Law, wielding a diverse background to complement his role as a Law Lecturer at Birmingham City University. A qualified solicitor in England and Wales, as well as Scotland*, Alan is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Chartered Engineer, and a full member of the British Computer Society, The Chartered Institute for IT. With over three decades of cumulative experience spanning engineering, computing technology, and legal practice, Alan's journey is marked by a dynamic fusion of these disciplines. Prior to his academic tenure at Birmingham City University, he held the position of Resident Partner at a Hong Kong branch office of an English law firm, where he practised English law across three jurisdictions.
* Non-practising in Scotland on the Roll of the Law Society of Scotland