New technologies are changing the way in which lawyers work, and with it the business model for law firms. According to a study by the Boston Consulting Group and Bucerius Law School, the German legal market is facing fundamental changes which will increase competitive pressure and require a change to lawyers’ traditional skill sets: in particular, IT skills will become more important. European law firms hardly use Legal Technology at all, moreover, there are very few Start-ups in Europe that can offer specific software solutions.
The European Legal Technology Association (ELTA) was recently founded in order to strengthen the position of Legal Technology within the European legal sector. The association is an alliance of law firms, companies, Legal Technology providers, start-ups and individuals in Europe.
The goal of the ELTA is to represent the interests of its members as a whole. The ELTA is therefore actively engaged in social and political debates in order to advocate the concerns and interests of its members and to strengthen the position of Legal Technology within the European legal market. The association encourages the development of research and science as well as furthering communication between European and International legal technology players, and between players in Legal Tech related areas.
Markus Hartung, Director of the Bucerius Center on the Legal Profession is convinced that law firms will need to reconsider their current business models. “In the future, the legal profession will increasingly require project managers and specialists who can work with legal technology” says Mr. Hartung.
Dr. Patrick Schroer, Managing Director of Bucerius Education confirms that the demand for ongoing education and consulting in the field of legal technology is growing steadily. “Law firms of all sizes and legal departments in a variety of sectors are seeking opportunities for strategic development and ongoing education in the field of legal technology” adds Dr Schroer.
The founders of the ELTA include, in addition to the Bucerius Center on the Legal Profession, Baker & McKenzie, CMS Hasche Sigle, Leverton and Roland Berger.
