Uncharted Territories: A Pandemic-era Epiphany and Nurturing Curiosity
It feels like a long time ago when I found myself completing my law degree amidst the echoes of COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic was not just a challenge; it was also revelation. Technology emerged as the unsung hero and proved to be the future. Intrigued by the prospect of merging law and technology into my career, I stumbled upon the world of legal technology.
Alongside my second year of university, I worked part-time and remotely at a start-up as a legal intern. At this point, I had no concept of legal technology and had to adopt different new digital practices. A key task during the internship was to research on DocuSign and report back on whether e-Signatures were legally binding. Looking back, it sounds bizarre that we have not adopted e-Signature just 4 years prior but this highlights how quickly technology is integrated into our daily lives.
A few months later, I landed an internship with the Asia-Pacific Legal Innovation and Technology Association (ALITA) which marked the beginning of my exploration into the intersection of the two areas I liked. This experience propelled me beyond buzzwords like ‘Artificial Intelligence’, ‘crypto’, and ‘metaverse’, into the dynamic world of using technology to increase efficiency in the legal industry.
Event Maestro: Where Ideas Take Flight
During a routine LinkedIn scroll on a normal afternoon a week before my final year, I came across the newly established FinTech and LegalTech society at university. After a lovely conversation with the co-founder, I assumed the mantle of the Head of LegalTech. This opportunity allowed me to transform ideas into reality and further my participation in Manchester’s legaltech sphere – events after events, we fostered dialogues, brought together legal minds and tech enthusiasts; and more importantly built valuable relationships that I still hold close today. We even managed to bag an in-person workshop amid the practice of virtual events! What started as a conversation became a community, a testament to the growing importance of legal technology.
I think Law Schools have come a long way to realise the once-hypothetical union of law and innovation, and I was fortunate enough to benefit from it. We were the first few cohorts to have the option to select the LegalTech module (named ‘Law, Money, Tech’) as part of our course. It felt like a full circle moment as I wrote my essay on the regulations of digital currency and the future of RegTech/FinTech – what were once buzzwords to me now became a tangible discourse, supported by academia rigor. The highlight? I even got to build a Bryter application as part of our assignment where different users will receive automated emails with bespoke content, showcasing the practical applications of legal technology.
The zenith of my journey into legaltech is my involvement in the Global Legal Hackathon hosted in Manchester where I assisted the participants with the venue logistics throughout the competition. The three-day hackathon has shown me the shared excitement and passion about reshaping the legal landscape. Discussions were vast and ideas were taking flight – different technologies and platforms were utilised for their ideas, which are no strangers to me today.
A Journey Unfolding: The life of a Legal Technologist
Fast forward to the present, I find myself in the exhilarating role of a legal technologist as each day welcomes new ideas. In this dynamic role, I wear multiple hats which keeps me on my toes, encouraging a constant state of learning, adaption and innovation. It feels mandatory to mention the unveiling of Generative AI – a technology that serves the very purpose of redefining how professionals approach their work; has once again pushed the boundaries of legaltech to a different level.
I value the discoveries and opportunities that this career has brought upon me. From identifying bottlenecks in legal processes to assessing AI solutions that re-invents decision-making, I position myself not as a bystander, but as an active participant in shaping the future of legal practice.
Reflecting on my journey, the access to legal technology education within academia and practical workshops at university not only expanded my knowledge but also equipped me with the skills necessary to navigate the ever-evolving landscape where law and technology intersect. They underscore the critical role educational institutions play in preparing the next generation for the transformative power of legal technology in the modern world.
Yee Xian Kong
Legal Technologist at Addleshaw Godddard