Redefining the Lawyer’s Professional Identity
Chris Vaagt, a German/French qualified lawyer and law firm change consultant with over two decades of experience spanning European law studies and management consulting, explored one of the profession’s most fundamental questions: what defines a lawyer in today’s rapidly changing world? Having transitioned from legal practice to consulting after discovering he “loved people, not papers,” […]
Legal Tech Literacy for Law Firms: Building Foundations for the Future
Marisa Borsboom, a Portuguese lawyer with over 20 years of experience spanning general counsel, data protection officer, and contract manager roles across multiple industries, shared her insights on legal tech literacy for law firms. Currently serving on the board of the European Legal Tech Association after becoming an ambassador in 2016, Borsboom provided practical guidance […]
Coaching in Legal
In a recent Platforum9 session, Kara Irwin, a professional with 30 years of experience spanning legal practice, academia, and the nonprofit sector, shared insights on the growing role of coaching in the legal profession. Currently involved in practice management at a London-based SRA-regulated firm and providing professional development consulting for smaller international law firms, Irwin […]
AI Integration for In-House Legal Teams
In a recent Platforum9 session, Ciara O’Buachalla, an AI governance manager with extensive experience spanning law firm practice, in-house legal work, and AI startup development, shared insights on how in-house legal teams can effectively integrate artificial intelligence into their operations. Drawing from her unique journey through corporate law, litigation, an MBA in Barcelona, and roles […]
Non-Lawyers in Arbitration
Professor Velimir Zivkovic led a discussion on the evolving role of non-lawyers in international arbitration. Joined by practitioners Miljana Bigovic, Matej Pustay, and Michail Risvas, the conversation explored how technical experts navigate arbitration proceedings. Rethinking the Legal Monopoly The session opened with a provocative perspective: “those of you who know the history of arbitration would […]
Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Practice in the Age of AI
In last weeks Platforum9 session, Alexander Irschenberger, external lecturer at Queen Mary University of London and legal tech expert with 10 years of product development experience, addressed the evolving landscape of legal education in the AI era. His insights revealed significant gaps between academic preparation and industry needs whilst advocating for fundamental changes in how […]
Breaking the Taboo Around Money In Legal
In yesterday’s Platforum9 session, Carla Hoppe, founder of Wealthbrite, addressed a critical yet often overlooked challenge facing the legal profession: financial wellbeing and literacy. Drawing from her experience as a former corporate solicitor and Big Four consultant, plus three years of data collection from UK lawyers, Hoppe revealed stark statistics about financial stress in the […]
Smart Tech for Smart Holidays
As holiday season is upon us, we did a Session on how to prepare for it. Karolina Šilingienė and Luis Felipe Mohando from Crespect, an Estonian legal tech company, addressed a challenge familiar to lawyers worldwide: how to actually disconnect and enjoy holidays without constant fear of client emergencies or administrative chaos. Their insights reveal […]
From Big Law to Building My Law
Today, Florence Brocklesby, founder of Bellevue Law, shared her inspiring journey from working in top-tier City firms to building a successful 30-person practice. Starting with “no clients whatsoever and a positive mental attitude” from her garden office in 2014, Brocklesby’s story illustrates how the legal profession is evolving to offer new pathways for talented lawyers […]
How to Make the Right Legal Tech Choices?
In today’s Platforum9 session, Jon Bartman, founder of The Law Tech Consultancy backed by the U.S. Legal Tech Fund, talked about the common pitfalls law firms encounter when selecting technology solutions. Drawing from seven years of experience helping firms navigate the legal tech landscape, Bartman revealed the systematic mistakes that lead to failed implementations and […]