Dear Lawyers,
Strategically speaking, it may be important that you read The End of Lawyers?, because throughout the book, the author (Richard Susskind) points to a future in which
Conventional legal advisers will be much less prominent in society than today, and in some walks of life, will have no visibility at all (p. 1).
Significantly, Susskind has spent numerous years investigating and exploring the extent to which the role of the traditional lawyer is sustainable in the coming future, in the face of challenging trends in the legal market place, and new methods of delivering legal services. Consequently, he concludes that
The legal profession is on the brink of fundamental change
And in support, provides a collection of his predictions, observations, and set of ideas about the law and the way its institutions can and should change in a dynamic and uncertain world.
Specifically, the author believes that the fundamental transformation of the profession will be caused by two forces:
- By a market pull towards commoditization, and
- By persuasive development and uptake of information technology (IT).
Central to his ideas is that legal services will increasingly take the form of online legal packages or offerings and be readily available in the market place, often from a variety of sources, at highly competitive prices.
As a result, he believes that commoditization and IT will shape and characterise 21st Century legal services and the market will increasingly become intolerant towards expensive lawyers for the tasks we typically perform (i.e. guiding, advising, drafting, researching, and problem-solving, etc.) – especially if these tasks can be done equally or better by less qualified people, supported by sophisticated systems or processes.
In support, as a legal professional, I continue to observe the emergence and development of profitable virtual law firm such as Woolley & Co., who have dispensed with the need for expensive solicitor offices by requiring their fee-earners to work from their homes or satellite workstations.
Virtual law firms mark a movement amongst a handful of IT-savvy lawyers moving away from their traditional methods of legal practice, by embracing the new world of IT.
Crucial to their success is an appropriate IT solution such as internet based practice & case management systems.
In addition, Andrew Woolley, the head of Woolley & Co, says that the firm’s success is also due to more clients seeking certainty in relation to fees: ‘As we offer many fixed fees, they prefer them to a “tell you at the end” approach.’
Therefore, projecting into the future, with the continuing emergence of virtual law firms, it seems highly likely that:
The distinction between the virtual and traditional law firm will become bleary, especially, as it is foreseeable that more lawyers in traditional firms will opt to take advantage of IT to work wherever they choose.
In the end, the development & uptake of technology and the emergence of virtual firms all point to a future in which
There will be substantial erosion and often elimination of the role of the traditional lawyer.
In this respect, the author lays down a challenge for us (lawyers) to look within, and truly ask ourselves with sincerity, what elements of our current workload could be undertaken, more quickly, cheaply or to a higher quality, by using alternative methods of working.
Additionally, he challenges each of us to identify our distinctive skills and talents (p. 2) or the capabilities that we possess, which we feel cannot be replaced by advanced systems; less costly workers supported by technology; standard processes; or lay people equipped with online self-help tools.
Nonetheless, on a more positive note, the author concludes that the challenge is not for us to solely assess how commoditization and IT might threaten our current ways of working; but rather, to find a way to embrace better, quicker, less costly, more convenient, and publicly valued ways of working:
Indeed, one man’s disruption may well be another’s salvation (p. 100)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the emergence of virtual law firms appears to support the author’s argument that there is a market pull towards commoditization and the development and uptake of IT is and will fundamentally transform the legal profession.
As detailed above, virtual firms are dependant on IT and are providing their clients with a form of online legal package or offering at competitive prices, with a radically different style of practice, in competition with traditional firms.
Consequently, it seems highly likely that commoditization and IT will come to characterise legal services of the 21st century, at the least, in some areas of the legal profession.
Moreover, it will lead to the steady erosion and elimination of traditional legal roles, which may further mean, I argue, that it becomes more and more
Important for lawyers to identify, develop, and apply their distinctive strengths and talents to their legal careers (please see click on ‘Why You Must Discover Your True Talent NOW!’ for a more detailed discussion).
As a final concluding point, throughout the book, the author skilfully develops his main argument by producing various extremely well reasoned, and thoroughly researched observations and predictions that were, at times, immensely fascinating and extremely thought provoking.
For example, we are told that Ray Kurweil, appointed by the US National Academy of Engineering in 2008, as one of a formidable committee of about 20 experts who are addressing 14 ‘grand challenges’ for engineering in the 21st Century claims that in terms of IT
By 2050, one thousand dollars of computing will exceed the processing power of all human brains on Earth.
Ultimately, I conclude that it will prove difficult, if not impossible, for any reader, to reject entirely, the author’s arguments and predictions, therefore, in order
To anticipate and avoid future career problems and seriously consider taking advantage of new emerging opportunities,
I strongly urge you to read ‘The End of Lawyers?,’ which in support has been recommended by:
- Jonathan Zittrain (Professor of Law, Harvard Law School),
- Stuart Popham (Senior Partner, Clifford Chance), and
- Peter Kurer (Chairman of UBS).
As always, if you have any questions, comments or wish to discuss any aspect of this book review further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Truly yours,
Tom