The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/480238
WWW.ILTANET.ORG 75 LONG-TERM SUCCESS There are many things professionals can do to set themselves up for long-term success. These five tips have helped me throughout my career, and they can be your guide during these times of change. Intrinsically related to curiosity is being open to new ideas. New money sources and ideas are flowing into the legal space, with an emphasis on technology. In the last year, we saw $458 million raised in legal startup venture capital funding, several law schools launching legal technology-focused classes or programs and over 20 legal hackathons or innovation-related events conducted on a national scale. In Philadelphia, where I am based, the Philly Law Lab and the Center for Design and Innovation, affiliated with Temple's Fox School of Business, organized the Legal Design and Innovation Workshop. This competition provided participants with a framework to learn and apply design methodology, get familiar with creative ways of identifying and solving problems, and serve as a local catalyst for legal technology and innovation. All participants (lawyers, legal technologists, law students, MBA students and entrepreneurs) had a great experience, and many were surprised that design methodology could apply to a business problem in the legal environment. This is one example of how being open to new ways of thinking can help you navigate to new opportunities. To solve difficult problems, get perspectives from many different people and disciplines. Collaboration between various departments within the law firm is necessary to meet today's clients' needs. When I worked at Reed Smith, my knowledge management team worked closely with attorneys, marketing, risk, IT and pricing to come up with the most beneficial tools for attorneys to engage clients in pitches. I am currently assisting with setting all information governance policies at Morgan Lewis, which requires a tremendous amount of insight from virtually all parts of the organization. To start promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, identify a clear problem statement and form a small group of representatives from relevant disciplines. Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration Equally important to coming up with a solution is the implementation of that solution. Seek out mentors — senior professionals who have undergone many similar implementations and have credibility. They have upper management's ear and can facilitate and remove obstacles for initiatives, and they can guide you on how to improve these skills. Be Open Seek Out Mentors Being patient seems counterintuitive given the changing legal environment, but you need strategic successes that provide maximum value. With every initiative, go for low-hanging fruit to get initial wins. Create success for one practice group and then extend that success across the firm. Be strategic in your decisions, which can sometimes require patience. It also takes patience to listen and really hear what others need. Don't rush decisions or implementations. Be Patient