Sam Dixon, Chief Innovation Officer of law firm Womblebond Dickinson, discusses the role of AI in the legal profession and the challenges of driving innovation in a traditional industry. He shares his journey from online retail to law and how he became involved in innovation. Dixon explains the different applications of AI in the legal sector, such as document automation and machine learning for document review. He also discusses the buy vs. build argument and the potential impact of AI on pricing and billing in law firms. Dixon emphasizes the importance of developing social intelligence and complex problem-solving skills to remain relevant in the evolving legal landscape.

Takeaways

1. Generative AI is a major focus in the legal profession, with applications in document automation and machine learning for document review.

2. Law firms need to strike a balance between buying and building AI tools, leveraging existing software and integrating different systems.

3. The role of lawyers is evolving, and skills such as social intelligence and complex problem-solving are becoming increasingly important.

4. The pricing and billing models in law firms may need to adapt to incorporate the use of AI tools and technologies.

5. Creating a culture of innovation is crucial in law firms, where traditional mindsets and billable hours can hinder progress.

Sound Bites

1. "Generative AI is able to do a lot of that work without the need for lots and lots of examples."

2. "The key for me is creating that culture of innovation where it is part of the conversation and where people are enabled to suggest ideas and implement ideas."

3. "I don't think lawyers need to be coders. I mean, query in the modern world of low and no code, how much coders need to be coders?"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sam Dixon and Womblebond Dickinson

03:33 Focus on Restructuring in Commercial Law

06:17 Applications of AI in the Legal Profession

08:06 Overcoming Resistance to Innovation in Law Firms

09:56 Two-Tier Approach to Innovation

11:56 Deciding Between Buy and Build in AI Adoption

15:23 Impact of AI on Pricing and Billing in Law Firms

22:04 Exploring the Potential of Data Licensing

24:52 Parallels Between AI in Law and Music

28:09 The Changing Role of Lawyers in the AI Era

30:00 Using Generative AI as a Sounding Board

31:53 Book Recommendation: Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom

Bio

Sam is the Chief Innovation Officer of law firm Womble Bond Dickinson in the UK. He is also a practising lawyer in the firm's restructuring team. His innovation journey started in online retail in the early 2000s and led him to law via a brief detour through the world of DJing.

John Craske, the director of innovation at CMS, discusses the firm's AI strategy and the role of innovation in the legal industry. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of curiosity and experimentation. The firm has implemented an innovation department and introduced innovation hours to encourage employees to pursue their ideas. Craske believes that AI can enhance the efficiency of legal work and sees opportunities for collaboration between humans and machines. He also highlights the need for foundational legal skills and human skills like empathy and creativity.

Takeaways

1. Fostering a culture of curiosity and experimentation is crucial for innovation in the legal industry.

2. Implementing an innovation department and introducing innovation hours can encourage employees to pursue their ideas.

3. AI can enhance the efficiency of legal work, but collaboration between humans and machines is essential.

4. Foundational legal skills and human skills like empathy and creativity are still valuable in the age of AI.

Sound Bites

1. "We're using our computers more like electronic typewriters for many years."

2. "Innovation hours are like seed funding for ideas."

3. "AI has captured the imagination of people in a way that lots of other technology has never had."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to John Craske and his role at CMS

03:04 The Development of Innovation Departments in Law Firms

06:44 Overcoming the Tension between Billable Hours and Innovation

09:26 Building a Team and Aligning Innovation with Firm Strategy

12:08 The Opportunities and Challenges of AI in the Legal Industry

15:23 The Importance of Human Skills in the Age of AI

27:23 Final Quickfire Questions

Bio

John Craske is responsible for the innovation and knowledge functions at CMS, with the aim of helping their clients and business to work smarter: to find the right balance between client satisfaction, cost effectiveness, profitability and opportunities for our people. He leads their dynamic Legal Innovation, Legal Operations and Project Management, Legal Tech, Managed Legal Services and Knowledge teams. He's passionate about fostering a culture of innovation and encouraging people to be curious, ask questions and experiment. John is currently leading our firmwide AI strategy as tjeu look to use AI to supercharge our digital transformation programme. He regularly works with clients (and others in the legal industry) to help design / implement practical (and innovative) solutions to their challenges.