In episode no. 88, my guest is Nicolas Patrick, Partner, Head of Responsible Business, DLA Piper. We cover: Nic’s views on the potential of technology; The reason for DLA Piper holding a forum on technology and access to justice in 2019; The problem with digitising existing processes; Why an international law firm without family law expertise, supports a Sydney based non-profit family law firm; The way Wallumatta Legal operates and how it runs an efficient practice; How pro bono provides insight into areas of unmet legal need; The different contributions that Macquarie University and DLA Piper bring to Wallumatta Legal; What technology is used for at Wallumatta Legal and the software it relies upon; Why Nic isn’t concerned about the digital divide in the context of Wallumatta Legal given all its services are delivered online; How Wallumatta Legal will improve access to justice across the sector; Why they recruit a ‘different kind of lawyer’ at Wallumatta Legal; The biggest challenge in the first six months of the firm’s operations; Plans for scaling and expansion of this model into other jurisdictions and areas of law; Why Nic thinks that there aren’t more low bono or alternative models servicing the needs of people at the lower end of the legal market; The potential for regulatory reform to facilitate technology use and other models to improve justice outcomes for marginalised people; The opportunity for firms to collaborate and establish a network of low bono and not-for-profit law firms; and Nic’s definition of legal innovation. Proudly sponsored by Neota Logic! Links: Wallumatta Legal Neota Logic Solution Gallery Neota Logic Churchill Trust Project Survey Future Ready Regional and Rural Legal Conference Andrea Perry-Petersen – LinkedIn - Twitter @winkiepp – andreaperrypetersen.com.au Twitter - @ReimaginingJ Facebook – Reimagining Justice group