Future Skills Associates Need Now: Key Takeaways from Legal Innovators California
Last week, I had the privilege of attending Legal Innovators California and chairing the dynamic panel “Harnessing the Power of Generative AI in Legal Practice.”
When I debriefed with my colleagues and fellow attendees Anusia Gillespie and Ian Gillespie post-conference, we all noticed a common theme. While none of the session titles referenced “skills” or “training,” every panel discussion and the keynote sent the same message: junior associates need “future skills,” and they need them now.
These skills include tech competence, digital literacy, AI fundamentals, and social and business acumen including communications, management, client service mindset, and creative problem-solving. As more technology is integrated into the practice of law, so the human element becomes more and more of a differentiator.
So, where do firms currently stand when it comes to addressing this urgent need? Here’s what we learned:
Some firms are still experimenting with Gen AI, but others are done “playing with it” – they’re getting down to business and focusing on “the ROI of AI.”
When it comes to Gen AI and other technologies, law firms are generally ahead of their in-house counterparts. They understand that moving forward today and becoming well-versed in the nuances of Gen AI enables them to offer their clients guidance and additional value.
Firms know that their talent has always been, and will remain, their differentiator. Across the globe, firms are creating Future, Digital and AI academies – and most are doing so quietly.
No matter where firms stand in their adoption curve, there seems to be a unanimous agreement that Gen AI is fundamentally changing the nature of legal work for law firm associates.
But law firms are not technology companies – they mostly buy and configure third-party technology. While some firms choose to create and deliver training themselves, it may not meet all their needs or allow them to train lawyers equitably across the firm. How can firms ensure that their technology-related training is accurate, engaging, and helps them rise above the competition?
Partnering with a trusted expert can make all the difference.
At SkillBurst Interactive, we can help you design comprehensive learning solutions to address:
Future skills: Select from our range of subscription series covering topics from GenAI fundamentals to foundational skills such as business of law essentials, communication, and feedback. Designed for highly intelligent law firm lawyers, these modules are bite-sized (15-minutes or less) and on-demand. Launch them as-is or customize them to best suit your firm.
Custom topics: Develop bespoke, one-of-a-kind courses just for your firm to ensure you’re a step above the rest.
Skills practice: We’ve got an exciting new tool in the works that will allow your learners to practice their skills in a safe, judgment free environment. Stay tuned for more!
Want to learn more about elevating your learning strategy? Reach out to info@skillburst.com and make sure to join our community for the latest news and e learning updates.
About Legal Innovators California
Now in its third year, the conference is organized by Cosmonauts and hosted by Richard Tromans, the legal tech author behind www.artificiallawyer.com.
This year, there were 60+ speakers and over 600 participants across two days – Day 1 focused on private practice, while Day 2 focused on in-house legal teams.
SkillBurst Interactive was proud to be a Silver Sponsor of the conference.
Sam Moore pictured with fellow panelists at Legal Innovators California.
