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Now, let’s continue our journey into the #futureoflaw…
The “New Normal”, What does that mean?
Part of the phrase accepts the reality that there was a “normal”, something familiar that perhaps changed gradually over a long period of time and didn’t rock the boat too much.
The other part assumes something fresh and different about that “normal”, that somehow it is replaced magically or swapped out in an instant.
As much as that would be potentially attractive, the only thing this phrase achieves is to distract from “looking behind the curtain” or “under the bonnet” as to how the “new normal” comes about.
There is a strange assumption of passive acceptance with the the phrase “New Normal”. But any change requires active engagement, a commitment to figuring out how it works, constructing a holistic understanding through a process of learning, gathering ingredients for what this new concoction might be.
So, who decides this and under what conditions? What is the process to achieve this and is it a closed door conversation?
Importantly, the “New Normal” brings with it a new framework which then affects daily life. So given the involvement of a new framework, or rule-set by which we all generally agree to and experience life through, where do we become part of the solution rather than merely the recipient?
In this context, do Lawyers have a unique opportunity? A calling which in one hand seeks to hold powers in check and in the other asks of us what a better version would look like? Does it present a reality where Lawyers can see themselves as agents of change through more than only representation?
Fellow lawyers, in a situation where the needs are dire, what does advocacy mean to you?
The Challenge of Jurisdiction
Lawyers all over the world are regulated and bound by their Jurisdiction. For a long time this has served to allow all lawyers to take oath and be admitted in their immediate place of residence and serve the Court and people of that place. It has enabled a representative body by which people in that region entrust the carriage of their matters.
As time has passed, with globalization and corporate evolution we have found that the actions of one company or people can have effects across multiple jurisdictions. As a result, the capacity and horizon of the lawyers working within these companies and with these people are widened. In like manner, as a senior partner heads the transactional or M&A work in a firm, they are exposed to a variety of rules and conditions just based on where the two parties seeking to conduct business hail from.
Technology and Travel have played a great part in widening our world-view. Most of us have been exposed in our lives and considered how an action in one place ripples its effect across many others. So the question becomes:
At what point do we define the work we do as lawyers by the jurisdiction in which we are admitted?
What happens when the outcome of our legal work is clearly not bound by the traditional definition of a jurisdiction?
With the raising of consciousness of citizens all over the world and their access to information from opposing corners of the planet, how does the new information translate into conscientious action?
An Emergent Reality
In my own vision for FutureLab.Legal - it was never intended that I be restricted by one place in the world. In fact, I’ve found opportunity and some of the most passionate change-makers all over the world and teamed up with people focused on the same outcomes.
What is emerging, is that we are centered on theme rather than place.
Those themes are pervasive, they do not concern themselves with borders. They show up in every city, village and community. They manifest taking the characteristics of the place they sprout from - they may become different trees, but they are all trees.
As I’ve always said, my concern is systemic, system-wide change and the intricacies that come with it.
Yes, legal is complex.
No, it cannot be simplified.
Yes, it can be made more efficient.
No, it cannot be a flick of a switch.
Why is TED so revered in secular society? Because it is “ideas worth spreading”.
In this case I have a proposition for you:
If you want to be a Lawyer of the future that lives in a future-facing society,
It will be down to actions worth taking.
The Future Law Virtual Summit
This is an opportunity, a place, a platform, a movement where we will explore through a multi-disciplinary lens what the new normal may look like.
We will negotiate it. Ideas will be tested. Minds will be expanded. Curiosity will be fed. Action will be inspired.
Starting this Friday 16th to the 20th I invite you to hold forum with us, led by negotiators (including me!) who hail from law, policy, systems, economist, academia, who all understand that Law is a representation of what people accept in society.
More and more, our legal frameworks require refinement. More and more, we need to approach it holistically. More and more, we come together and have the capacity to build these systems in an integrated way.
It will be my pleasure to present and facilitate a keynote with Professor Payam Akhavan:
Aside from that, I will be running my own workshop which I invite you to join, particularly if you run or work in and around Legal Services or Legal Tech. I’ve asked Sebastian Hartmann (Global Technology Strategy, KPMG) to co-facilitate with me since this is something we both work closely on: Transforming Legal Services into the Future of Law.
I’ve also invited a panel of expert commentators and assistance in order for us to explore what the ingredients for a future facing or next gen law firm might be. I’ll be calling on you to contribute as well, gathering the widest cross-section of thoughts on the matter in a format that is daring (co-facilitation from two different timezone to an international audience, sounds about right ey?).
Hey! If it’s crazy, new frontier, complex and creative, count on me to have something to do with it 🤓
If you need any motivation, I have a discount code for my readers. It gives you the opportunity to gain access to replays all talks, panels, workshops and CPD accredited Masterclasses for a discounted price (25% off the annual ticket): IWEM7XKKQL
This is not an event, it is a movement and it’s open house between 16th and 20th this month.
Join me.
By now you know, the future of law is in our hands 🔥
Q.