2015 Newsletter
STANFORD CENTER ON THE LEGAL PROFESSION
It may be that in the future we look back at the years 2014 and 2015 and acknowledge that they proved to be something of a turning point in the legal profession's acceptance of technology’s dramatic potential to improve the provision of legal services. Although the drumbeats for change have sounded for some time, this past year saw a remarkable interest in structural, financial, and even regulatory innovation. Leading policy makers and practitioners are beginning to see technology more as a partner in creating solutions that reach more people, increase engagement with and understanding of the law and legal rights, and enable all stakeholders (attorneys included) to have a better experience with legal services.
The Stanford Center on the Legal Profession, leveraging the expertise of Faculty Director, Professor Deborah Rhode and our unique position in the center of Silicon Valley, has emerged as a central hub for initiatives seeking to advance innovation in this new era. Through the work of CLP and of the law school's Center for Legal Informatics (CodeX), Stanford Law School is not only the leading academic institution researching how the technology of law will transform the law and legal practice, it is also an incubator from which some of the most path-breaking legal technology and design platforms are emerging.
Over the past year, CLP has launched a Legal Design Initiative (please see article below) and sponsored two major events highlighting the advances in legal technology and design
throughout the field and, in particular, here at
Stanford. All of this programming seeks to increase the engagement of both the profession and lay people beyond the world of Stanford and Silicon Valley in innovation.
On April 9, CLP and Stanford Law School co-sponsored a day-long forum on emerging issues in legal technology with Thomson Reuters. The event was held at Thomson’s New York City headquarters and focused on communicating some of the most interesting ideas and enterprises in legal technology and design. Not surprisingly, many of those represented were Stanford Law faculty, alums, centers, projects, and affiliates. The day started with SLS Professor Phil Malone and CLP Senior Advisor Ralph Baxter outlining the dramatic (con't on page 2)
Center Serves as Hub for Discussion on Innovation, the Profession, and Access to Justice
Professor Richard Susskind addresses the attendees at the ABA/SLS National Summit on Innovation in Legal Services