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From March 19-23, transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson is holding it International Innovation Week. A number of events are taking place in the US and UK, looking at innovative technology that is transforming the legal industry and other sectors, how businesses challenge themselves to develop more efficient processes and new ways of engaging with clients to embed a culture of innovation.
There are opportunities for all staff from both sides of the Atlantic to listen, learn, debate and create, through a series of open invitation webinars, workshops, roundtable events, and discussions.
Events being run throughout the week include:
- Demystifying Cryptocurrency and Blockchain: Hosted by Stephen Middlebrook, Of Counsel - Atlanta and Malcolm Dowden, Legal Director - Southampton. Blockchain, or DLT, the technology that powers many cryptocurrencies, is growing rapidly. This session will cover why it's a game changer, how it will impact our clients and their sectors. A chance to hear more about the advisory groups we are involved in and what we are doing on both sides of the Atlantic to get a better insight into its impact.
- AI in business - use and ethics: Hosted by Alex Fawcett, Product Manager, Bots and AI at Sage, a multinational enterprise software company in Newcastle and the market leader for integrated accounting, payroll, and payment systems. What are the legal, ethical and business issues emerging with the use of this fast-paced technology?
- What makes a law firm innovative? Hosted by Professor Dan Linna, Director of LegalRnD- The Center for Legal Services Innovation, and Womble Bond Dickinson co-chairs Betty Temple and Jonathan Blair. Before law school, Dan was an information technology manager, developer, and consultant. He is the co-founder of and lead organizer for the Detroit and Chicago Legal Innovation & Technology meetup groups and was named in the 2015 Fastcase 50 as a person who has charted a new course for the delivery of legal services.
Nigel Emmerson, UK Head of Innovation at Womble Bond Dickinson comments: “We have learned a huge amount through collaboration with our US colleagues in the last 12 months but we know we need to keep exploring and embracing change together in order to remain competitive, relevant and progressive. Our Innovation Group works with our lawyers and clients to help identify potential innovation opportunities and coordinate initiatives and projects across the firm. Innovation Week provides a spotlight for these projects and this way of working that will be hugely beneficial to attorneys on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Liz Riley, Chair of Innovate Womble at Womble Bond Dickinson (US) notes: “We are excited to again partner with our UK colleagues for this vital and necessary exploration of how innovation is changing the very world around us, especially the legal one. We feel that it’s crucial for our attorneys and staff to have a keen understanding of what is on the legal horizon and how it will affect the practice of law. Keeping a weather eye on innovative new dynamics provides a clear path to solid legal footing in the future.”
