Q&A: Gerald Nguyen, Director IT Innovation & Architecture, Steptoe & Johnson LLP

The way that legal services are delivered is fast changing due to advances in technology and business model innovation. This is resulting in a gradual shift towards affordable, standardised services and efficiencies in how law firms deliver services. We interviewed thought leaders on the changing legal industry, emerging technologies impacting the sector, factors holding law firms back and what the future lawyer looks like.

Here is our interview with Gerald Nguyen the Director of IT Innovation and Architecture at Steptoe & Johnson LLP.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE LEGAL INDUSTRY IN 5 YEARS?

The differentiators between firms are getting smaller and the offerings more commoditized. AI/ML/Data Analytics will continue to drive that commoditization. At the same, clients are starting to use reverse auction tools to drive down price between their final options. In the end, the legal services providers (in-house vs. law firm vs. alternative legal services) with the best combination of price and trusted outcome will win out.

I am interested to see how the legal services supply chain changes in the next 5 years.

I envision:

1. The rise of alternative legal services providers (ALSP) establishing efficient, cost-effective, and predictable results in their specific contexts.

2. Law firm’s no longer being the 1 stop shop for all of the legal work.

3. In-house legal teams using data analytics to determine what combination of in-house skills, ALSPs, and Law firm services provide them with their desired outcomes and the right price.

WHICH EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ARE YOU MOST EXCITED BY AND WHY?

I look at emerging technologies in 2 different buckets, in how they impact: 1) the practice of law and 2) the business of law. AI/ML-based automation combined with no-code client portal development impacts both sides. This set of technology can be used to capture attorney knowledge and make it instantly accessible for the client.

It changes the way the lawyers practice law, and we would be billing for access to the service rather than by hours, which impacts the business of law.

WHAT IS CURRENTLY HOLDING LAW FIRMS BACK FROM INNOVATING?

Time, budget, and risk. I think that a lot of priority has been set around security and information/data governance. At the same time, larger/older firms are holding onto traditional ways of doing business and are only getting dragged forward when necessitated. “In terms of emerging technology, Law Firms all want to be first…. at being second.”

They want to see that it is impactful before they adopt it themselves.

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WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LAWYER LOOK LIKE?

Lawyers of the future will have to win business to continue to be employed. A lot of the technical expertise can be backed up by the IT/Practice Support teams.

Trust is the driving force in these relationships: Will the lawyer be able to deliver the outcome we want? Do we trust in their approach and strategy?

The future lawyer will also be more focused on the client experience. This is primarily between the Firm’s team and the primary contacts with the client but can extend into every touchpoint between the two companies (IT, Extranets, Billing and A/P, etc).

We need to make it as easy as possible to work with us. 

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To find out what 14 other thought leaders had to say on the future of legal services, download the full 21st Century Lawyer report at www.newlawacademy.com/report