Society confirms first accredited legal technologist

A solicitor with Burness Paull has become the first to be awarded the Law Society of Scotland’s new status of accredited legal technologist. 

Sam Moore, the firm’s innovation manager, who works in Burness Paull’s Technology & Commercial team, was recognised as the required knowledge of and experience in delivering legal tech innovation. 

The new professional standard is the first of its kind in the UK and was launched to reflect the growing impact of technology within the legal sector – and with it the emergence of specialist roles such as legal process engineer, legal analyst, and legal technologist. 

Mr Moore’s role sees him lead business transformation projects within the firm to identify opportunities for making best use of technology. These include using automation and artificial intelligence, online filing and digital execution, and helping clients manage large data projects involving complex compliance obligations.

Burness Paull managing partner Tamar Tammes commented: “Until now ‘legal technologist’ has only been loosely defined, and while that’s been great for early adoption we think it’s positive to see the Law Society of Scotland putting a framework in place for a recognised specialism. Our hope is that many talented individuals like Sam who are involved in legal technology see this as a roadmap for their own development, and as a way to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to employers and clients alike.

She added: “There has been a massive increase in new technologies aimed at the legal industry. It’s important that as a firm we closely monitor the market, and that we’re committed to investing time and money researching and piloting new approaches or products for improved service delivery. We know that we can’t implement every promising idea out there, so we feel it’s important to have a good understanding of the market and invest wisely in the best prospects.”

Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland added: “Our view is that legal technologists will work with other legal professionals to deliver and present legal advice to clients differently, improve knowledge management techniques and reduce time spent on repetitive, labour intensive tasks.

“We hope that as the status develops over time this will become a quality mark that all working in legal technology will wish to hold as it provides assurance to the public, clients and to the legal profession.”