John Stobart: What will the future of the law firm look like?

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What will the future of the professional firm look like?

John Stobart – Harvey Ingram LLP


• Brands• Rainmaking• New starts• Innovation • New wave• Technology


Technological Impact

Commoditisation +

Information technology=

Driving Change


Information Substructure

Dominant means by which information:

• captured • shared and • disseminated


Four Phases

• Oral - dominated by speech


Four Phases


• Script – handwritten


Four Phases


• Script - handwritten• Print – first mass media


Four Phases


• Script - handwritten• Print – first mass media• Information technology.



Dictates to a large extent • the quantity of our law



Dictates to a large extent • the quantity of our law • the complexity of our law



Dictates to a large extent • the quantity of our law • the complexity of our law• the regularity with which

our law can change



Dictates to a large extent • the quantity of our law • the complexity of our law• the regularity with which

our law can change • and those who are able

to – advise upon it and – be knowledgeable about it.


Surfing this wave

Successful business models:

• Products for social and economic needs

• Industries and sectors adapt to broader trends and changes


Innovation

• Quicker

• Cheaper

• More efficient


Challenges

• Identify distinctive skills and talents

• Capabilities that cannot be replaced by: – advanced systems– less costly workers

supported by technology– standard processes– people armed with

online self-help tools.


Latent Legal Markets• Social and working lives can

benefit from legal guidance • Lack of resources or

courage to secure legal advice

• Vast resources available • Government’s 2,500

websites • Innumerable voluntary legal

services sector websites• Practical, punchy legal

guidance.


Niche Players

• Industry focus• Level of expertise • Customer service

orientation• Ability to get the job

done• Cost base


New industries?

Smart systems and processes:– guiding – advising– drafting – researching– problem-solving


New attitudes?



New techniques?


• Semantic web?


Rainmaking

• Disintermediation• Smart systems• New ways of entering

supply chains • Emergence of “legal

hybrids”


Establishing a Brand


Lawyers through time


Questions

[email protected]


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John Stobart: What will the future of the law firm look like?

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