LexMundi is one of the leading law firm networks, with over 150 members across more than 125 countries. But how does it support innovation and how does it help its many members with legal technology needs? AL TV interviewed Gordon Vala-Webb, Senior Advisor, Technology and Innovation, to find out some more.
Before heading into the video interview below, here are a few aspects to consider. For example, LexMundi has a variety of deals with legal tech companies to better enable its members to adopt technology. They work with HighQ (now part of Thomson Reuters), especially with regard to its Collaborate system, to encourage member firms to avoid sending confidential documents via email.
They also work with legal AI doc review company, Diligen, and help member firms by providing free trials of the product. And they’re working with Elevate, although that is around consulting input on new approaches to legal work, rather than on technology alone.
They have also had a push across the network to let members know about Reynen Court, the platform that offers a multitude of legal tech applications, along with a means of using those solutions directly.
Interestingly, the Japanese member of LexMundi, Nishimura & Asahi, recently made the news when it invested in Reynen Court – making it the first Japanese law firm to invest in a foreign legal tech company, with perhaps a much wider significance for the market there as a whole.
The group also runs showcase events for technology vendors to help members learn more.
However, as Vala-Webb explains, they never seek to impose tech on the members, they just try to let everyone know what is out there and what it can do for them.
As Vala-Webb says: ‘The firms are fiercely independent and all are leaders locally. We have a ‘loose/tight’ model, so we set security and service standards, but we do not say you must use X technology.’
(Press play to watch/listen. Approx. 18 mins.)
Vala-Webb and team also have helped to run a survey of the tech used by the membership, resulting in a legal tech directory. This allows one firm to then tap another for some insights about a particular tool, such as how it works, or how it compares to other similar tools.
Fundamentally it’s a different approach to how many firms operate, primarily because LexMundi is neither a law firm, nor a traditional corporate: it’s a membership organisation. That has produced new challenges as the need to adapt to, and adopt, new tech increases. But, in the process of this adaptation they have come up with plenty of useful solutions.
Thanks to Gordon Vala-Webb for the interview.