Technology and the future of lawyers

In his recent edition of “Tomorrow’s Lawyers”, Richard Susskind reflects on the Covid inspired increase in the use of technology across the justice sector - whether within law firms, the courts or in law schools. Yet Susskind also observes the post Covid retreat from some uses of technology, suggesting that whilst we learned that technology can be used to good effect, the sustained transformational impact of technology is yet to be realised. This retreat has been particularly evidenced in law schools. This presentation will reflect on the "irrational rejectionism" of technology in the teaching of law students, and offer a response to Susskind's call for how tomorrow's lawyers should be educated to realise the potential of technology. The presentation will suggest the impact of such a change can and should lead to positive changes to lawyering practices, with particular benefits for widening access to justice.