48 LEXPERT MAGAZINE
|
APRIL/MAY 2017
FEATURE
MARK TAMMINGA
is blunt in discussing the future of lawyers in a world of
rapidly emerging legal tech. "Lawyers read the news. ey know the jig is up," he
says. Cognitive computing, machine learning, rapidly improving contract automa-
tion systems and an inevitable shi away from billable hours to fixed pricing will no
doubt take roles away from corporate lawyers. And hit the delete button on lawyers
and firms that don't quickly adapt.
"And that's okay," says Tamminga, a Hamilton-based partner with Gowling
WLG, where he's the firm's leader of innovation initiatives. "I don't say that with
great joy." Automated systems are doing so much these days, he says — driving cars,
writing sports stories, and yes, pumping out legal contracts. "You can rue the day
or you can try to figure it out. We are figuring it out. ere will be fewer lawyers!
Sorry, I said it."
Tamminga says of coding: "It is my favourite thing. Practising law is a price I pay
to actually use these [computing] tools," he says. "I love doing it." Since he started
using DOS to program computerized document assembly in 1988, Tamminga has
been a pioneer in applying computer technology and automation to the practice of
law. He has his finger on the pulse of what he prefers to call "cognitive computing"
(rather than artificial intelligence, a term he says is overused and inaccurate for to-
day's legal tech advancements so far).
In the drive for greater efficiency, law firms
and in-house counsel are exploring and using
contract automation programs that stand
to redefine the practice of corporate law
BY ANTHONY DAVIS
Readable
PHOTO:
SHUTTERSTOCK
Machine
