Digital White Papers

LITIGATION AND PRACTICE SUPPORT 7 WWW.ILTANET.ORG | ILTA WHITE PAPER Award-Winning Insight on Innovation and the Evolving Role of LPS Professionals How do you view the rise of AI in the litigation arena? We are in a paradigm shi with the emergence of artificial intelligence technologies such as cognitive reasoning, machine learning and expert systems. These new technologies, coupled with client demands for improved value and reduced costs, are driving innovation in the market. Technology skills for litigators, including AI, are becoming more important because AI technologies are enabling quicker and more cost-effective results, whether it be finding relevant documents or predicting case outcomes. There will be many opportunities in the future for those who hold dual degrees in law and technology. Many people on my team have dual degrees, giving them invaluable skills in developing solutions to improve efficiencies and to deliver legal services in a new way. Less easy to predict is just how AI technologies will influence and change the way a litigation maer is run or law is practiced. The key is to focus on the solutions the technology brings for clients' business problems. How do you measure success? Client satisfaction is one of the most important measures of success; this is typically driven by the client's views on outcome, efficiency, time, quality, cost and value. Another important measure is the legal team's satisfaction; that's driven by the team's ability to set and deliver to their expectations. We use an annual lawyer feedback survey to measure lawyer satisfaction. Equally important to client and legal team satisfaction is my team's satisfaction. Our firm does annual pulse and career surveys. Important elements that drive success are innovation, collaboration, flexibility, challenging work as trusted advisors, reward and recognition, career progression, opportunity, a team and learning culture, and having fun at work. Success for me is achieving client, lawyer and team satisfaction and an excellent commercial outcome for the firm. What area should litigation professionals and teams focus on to become more successful? There is a lot of discussion in the market about digital disruption and innovation — I see these as drivers of change that create opportunities for law firms to be responsive to the needs of their clients and to work with their clients to co-create solutions. The change is significant, and clients, lawyers and litigation support professionals are embracing the changes as new service models evolve. A litigation support professional with a wide range of skills has high value in today's changing legal market, and thought leadership forums like ILTA keep us up to date with the rapidly evolving technologies that will significantly affect the practice of law. ILTA BETH PATTERSON Beth is the Chief Legal & Technology Services Officer for Allens, an international law firm based in Australia with offices throughout the Asia-Pacific region and an integrated alliance with global law firm Linklaters. Beth is an industry leader who combines strategic technical, project management, legal and commercial expertise to deliver innovative legal technology solutions in this age of big data. Her range of experience across industries and countries puts her in a unique position to address the challenges digital disruption brings to the legal profession globally. Contact Beth at beth. patterson@allens.com.au.

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