LEXPERT MAGAZINE
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MARCH 2019 21
LEGAL TECH FEATURES
known as MT>3, created when the firm ac-
quired Wortzmans, one of Canada's lead-
ing e-discovery boutiques. In partnership
with Exigent, a legal tech provider, the firm
has developed a new document automation
service that includes e-signature and con-
tract management features.
All this is well and good, says legal mar-
keting and business development consult-
ant Heather Suttie of Heather Suttie &
Associates in Toronto, so long as lawyers
maintain a proper focus on their efforts.
"It's ultimately not about having your
own tech hub or partnering with start-
ups," she says. "What's important is that,
however you obtain it, the technology must
flow through to the client."
Many argue that there remains plenty of
work to be done.
According to Deloitte's Canadian Legal
Landscape 2017, which surveyed approxi-
mately one hundred general counsel and
law firms nationwide "to understand the
current legal landscape in Canada," the key
area in which traditional law firms were
lacking was in their use of technology.
"Perhaps our most interesting finding is
that, while technology is arguably the big-
gest enabler of achieving best in class status,
it is largely under-exploited by both in-
house legal departments and law firms," the
study states.
Nonetheless, it appears that "law firms
are just turning their mind to the issue,"
even as an "overwhelming majority of
respondents identified technolog y/ser-
vice delivery as a major game-changer in
the marketplace."
Interestingly, Deloitte's attempt "to
understand the current legal landscape
in Canada" makes no mention of the Big
Four's emerging designs on the legal servic-
es market. While the Big Four's acknowl-
edged reputation for technological prowess
and innovation is also not mentioned, the
focus on traditional law firms' shortcom-
ings can't help but elicit comparisons from
clients and potential clients.
However that may be, here's the point:
Deloitte conducted its study in 2017. Ac-
cording to the study, the "tipping point
for individual firms which will impact the
competitive landscape and the role of talent
in law firms" will arrive in 2020.
So that was then. And this is now. ere's
still lots of time to put money on the new
breed of lawyers.
Julius Melnitzer is a writer
based in Toronto.
"Nextlaw Enterprise engages on a daily basis with many
of Dentons' top clients, providing them with solutions
that include advising them on modernizing their legal
departments, rethinking organizational process,
curating best-of-breed technologies, all with an eye
to implementing comprehensive solutions."
BETH WILSON
DENTONS CANADA
