Ariana Vojvodic interviews Eshita Kasar
Dear readers, we are excited to present to you this must-read interview with Eshita Kasar.
She is a recent graduate of the new Masters in Legal Technology programme at The University of Law and currently working for Sigma AI.
Ariana: Let’s start by elaborating on your educational and work experiences; could you tell us more about your professional journey and where you are now?
Eshita: I began my academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in law followed by an LLM in Intellectual Property Law, after which I pursued the MSc in Legal Technology. These advanced degrees in IP law and Legal Tech allowed me to delve deeper into the practicalities of natural language processing, AI, and law.
In terms of my professional career, it started with a few internships in IP for an in-house legal team where I got an insight into managing documentation lifecycles. After that, I joined a multinational company as an Associate where my work involved legal tech tools, focusing on contract lifecycle management. And here I am now! Currently working as a Transcriber at Sigma AI where my role involves training AI models using LLMs and Natural Language Processing.
Ariana: What an exciting path! Could you recall the first time you heard about legal technology or when was the first time you thought this could be the right path for you?
Eshita: Oh yes, absolutely! I remember the first time I heard about legal tech like it was yesterday. A friend of mine who was working at a tech company focused on AI solutions for the legal industry was telling me about the nature of the job and its implications for the future of law, so I had a very friendly and insightful first encounter with the idea of working in legal ops. The concept intrigued me: using AI to streamline legal processes, automate document review, and improve legal research efficiency. The idea of applying cutting-edge technology to simplify and enhance legal work was fascinating.
I found out more about Integreon Managed Solutions during my LLM. After securing a position at the company, I saw firsthand how AI could transform legal tasks, making them faster and more accurate. This experience sparked a passion for exploring how I could leverage my AI expertise to drive meaningful innovation and efficiency in the legal industry.
Ariana: Could you explain what motivated you to pursue legal technology MS after completing the LLM in intellectual property law and the legal tech internship?
Eshita: It was actually my LLM in Intellectual Property Law that made me realise the growing importance of technology in the legal field, especially when it comes to protecting IP.
I wanted to equip myself with the technical skills needed to leverage technology in addressing complex legal issues.
By understanding both the legal and technological aspects, I aimed to bridge the gap between the two fields, ultimately contributing to the development of more advanced legal tech solutions.
This pursuit was driven by a passion for innovation and a desire to be at the forefront of legal transformation, ensuring that I could make a significant impact in the evolving landscape of intellectual property law.
Ariana: How does your expertise in intellectual property law intersect with your education in legal technology; could you share a specific example?
Eshita: I think a great example is my understanding of the development of solutions that can streamline IP lifecycle management. For instance, the project involving the use of an AI-powered legal tech platform for managing the entire lifecycle of intellectual property assets. This platform could be utilised to automate various stages of the IP lifecycle, from initial filing to maintenance and enforcement. It could automatically generate and file patent applications, monitor deadlines, and manage renewals. It employs machine learning algorithms to conduct comprehensive prior art searches and analyse potential infringements. That’s a lot of work.
Ariana: That actually makes a lot of sense! I think it’s safe to say many people find the idea of legal technology education exciting, and after hearing your experience with it, many people will find it even more intriguing- could you please detail what your legal tech course was about?
Eshita: My modules included:
- AI and Blockchain: We explored smart contracts, automated legal reasoning, and the use of AI in legal analytics and decision-making.
- Data Protection and Intellectual Property: This segment covered the legal frameworks surrounding data privacy and IP. It delved into GDPR compliance, data security best practices, and the protection and management of intellectual property in the digital age.
- International Commercial Law: Here, we examined the complexities of cross-border transactions and international trade regulations. We also studied how technology facilitates global commerce and the legal implications of digital trade and e-commerce.
- Company Law and Compliance: This part of the course addressed corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and the role of technology in ensuring adherence to legal standards. It included case studies on how tech solutions can streamline compliance and risk management in corporations.
Ariana: And how did it feel to start such a new, unexplored academic course?
Eshita:
I felt empowered to be part of a movement that’s redefining legal practice and making the law more accessible and more efficient. But initially, there was a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. Legal tech felt like a new and non-traditional discipline, so there were few precedents to follow. However, I tried to focus on the fact that this also meant there was a vast potential for discovery and growth.
Overall, it felt incredibly exhilarating and pioneering. It was like stepping into uncharted territory, where the possibilities for innovation and impact were limitless. The hands-on projects, especially those involving AI and blockchain, were genuinely exciting as they demonstrated real-world applications of our studies.
Looking back, I like to think of it as a unique blend of challenge and opportunity.
Ariana: How did such a practice-based sector such as legal tech translate to the classroom environment?
Eshita: I think there was a good balance between the practical and research/academic activities. As expected, we delved into scholarly articles, legal texts, and case law to understand the theoretical implications and ethical considerations of legal tech. But also, we worked on projects, case studies, and simulations, and engaged in workshops. Lectures were complemented by seminars where we could immediately apply theoretical knowledge to practical tasks, which I really appreciated.
Ariana: Can you elaborate on your Practice Related Activity (PRA) for Legal Tech at the University of Law and its impact on your understanding of legal technology?
Eshita: Certainly! The instruction was ‘the revolution is coming, the revolution is digital’, which means that groups of 4-6 students had to identify a socio-legal justice problem and solve it using technology. Our project focused on legal design, and the idea was to create an application aimed at improving student life at university.
The first step was to identify common legal and non-legal challenges of international students, such as difficulty with understanding UK laws, which can differ from regulations of students’ home nations, e.g., regarding visa rules, cultural norms, safety and health regulations.
We then outlined a solution using legal design principles to create an intuitive, user-friendly application. The app was designed to utilise AI for providing answers to these common problems. The project involved creating a detailed plan, including user personas, interface design, and a workflow for integrating AI capabilities. We had to ensure that the application was not only functional but also legally compliant and easy to use.
This PRA illustrates the importance of user-centred design in legal tech, emphasising that effective solutions must be both technologically advanced and accessible to legal professionals. It also reinforced the potential of technology to streamline complex legal processes, making them more efficient and manageable.
Ariana: That sounds awesome. What skills did you develop in your MS in Legal Technology course?
Eshita:
- Technical Proficiency: I gained hands-on experience with AI, machine learning, and blockchain technologies, which I found exciting because it helped me understand how these can help legal operations. .
- Legal Design: This skill helped me learn the importance of ensuring that technology enhances, rather than complicates, legal tasks.
- Data Protection and Compliance: I developed a deep understanding of data privacy laws, such as GDPR, which fits with my interest in law and business compliance.
- Project Management: This included skills in planning, resource allocation, and timeline management.
- Analytical and Critical Thinking: I enhanced my ability to critically analyse legal processes and identify areas where technology can drive efficiency and innovation.
Ariana: Do you think there is a “right profile” of a person going into legal technology; what backgrounds did your coursemates come from and how did your individual skills enrich your course experience?
Eshita: No, I don’t think there’s a single “right profile” for someone entering legal technology. The field thrives on diversity, bringing together various skills and perspectives to innovate effectively. In my Legal Technology course, my coursemates came from a wide range of backgrounds, including law, computer science, business, and engineering.
Some were practising lawyers looking to enhance their tech skills to improve their practice. Others were tech enthusiasts or software developers eager to apply their expertise to the legal field. There were also business professionals interested in legal tech startups and innovation.
My background in intellectual property law was particularly valuable in projects related to IP lifecycle management and compliance. Meanwhile, classmates with technical backgrounds brought critical coding and software development skills, which were essential for building and understanding the tech solutions we discussed.
The interdisciplinary nature of the group reflects the needs of legal ops teams, as it is truly essential to have people from various backgrounds complement each others’ strengths to create quality solutions.
Ariana: When it comes to careers, what were you told by ULaw? Was there a defined career path you could follow?
Eshita: While we were not guided by a single, defined career path, we were encouraged to explore various roles based on our interests and skill sets.
The options that I was informed about included roles such as: Legal Technologist, Legal Consultant, Legal Tech Developer, Innovation Manager, Paralegal, Document Controller and Reviewer etc.
The University provided support in the shape of one-to-one resume feedback sessions, interview preparation, and career fairs where we got to network with employers. This was invaluable to me as an international student, as it guided me to better understand the general recruitment process in the UK.
However, there was little support relevant to breaking into legal ops specifically, which is to be expected given that it is an unexplored territory to all of us. I spent lots and lots of time taking advantage of the careers service team, and I am grateful for their advice as it felt very personalised and empathetic to my situation.
Ariana: What did you find most challenging regarding finding employment in the legal tech sector after graduating & support was there to get you into a legal tech role post-qualification?
Eshita: Well, it wasn’t easy to say the least! The most significant was the niche nature of the field; many traditional law firms were still in the early stages of adopting legal technology, making specialised roles less abundant.
Additionally, bridging the gap between legal expertise and technological proficiency required demonstrating a unique blend of skills, and I think not all employers immediately defined them. It was unclear what was expected of us as candidates, and it seemed like many firms couldn’t really identify their expectations clearly either.
I found this challenging because the recruitment process and the nature of the job differs in each firm, so I would say there is a need for more support for recent graduates who might not have adequate work skills to excel in such an unpredictable recruitment process.
Ariana: What do you think we can do as a legal tech community to help graduates find employment in legal tech?
Eshita: As a legal tech community, we can help graduates by creating more entry-level positions that offer on-the-job training.
Companies should engage more with universities to participate in career fairs, guest lectures, and hackathons. This interaction not only helps students understand industry needs but also allows employers to identify promising talent early on. Furthermore, fostering a collaborative community through forums, meetups, and online platforms can provide ongoing support for graduates as they enter the workforce.
By collectively investing in education, building skills, training, and professional development, we can create a robust ecosystem that supports the next generation of legal tech professionals.
Ariana: Could you share a favourite memory or lesson you learned so far?
Eshita: Honestly, I found something fulfilling in all of my legal ops experiences so far.
A key lesson I learned was the value of adaptability. As technology evolves rapidly, being open to continuous learning and willing to embrace new tools and methods is crucial. This adaptability is not only about keeping up with technological advancements but also about understanding and navigating different cultural and professional environments.
Ariana: And finally, what advice would you give to anyone following in your footsteps?
Eshita:
- Don’t hold back and immerse yourself fully in each experience!
- Take advantage of every opportunity to network, whether through university events, industry conferences, or online forums.
- Importantly, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Engage in projects that challenge you, expand your skill set.
- Most importantly, remain curious and passionate about the intersection of law and technology and never stop learning from peers and online sources.
Pictures by: Tara Winstead and Thirdman on Pexels