Have you ever wondered how you can gain a competitive edge in your training contract and future career in law?

The Innovation & Legal Technology (ILT) Team provides AG's trainee solicitors and legal apprentices with an opportunity to work at the forefront of technological advancements. Our trainee solicitors can apply for a six-month seat, while our legal apprentices and paralegals can apply for a six-month secondment in the ILT team.

Charlotte Hunter, a trainee based in Leeds, and Emily Taylor, a legal apprentice based in Manchester, have recently completed their six-months in the ILT team. Here's what they had to say about their experience:

Charlotte's Perspective

As someone who has had the opportunity to do a six-month seat within the ILT team, I can attest to the fact that it is an excellent choice for anyone looking to gain a competitive edge in their training contract and future legal career.

Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and it is becoming increasingly important for law firms to stay ahead of the curve. By working in the ILT team, I have gained valuable experience in bringing innovative solutions to the firm, which has allowed me to contribute to the provision of high-quality legal services to clients. Furthermore, the skills I have acquired are transferable to every division within the firm, providing me with an added advantage over my peers.

A seat in the ILT team can provide an opportunity for a trainee solicitor to develop key skills such as project management, problem-solving and legal design. These skills are highly valued in the legal industry and can significantly enhance a trainee's future career prospects. With clients increasingly demanding more efficient and cost-effective legal services, technology can help meet these demands.

My experience in the ILT team has provided me with a diverse range of skills and experiences that are valuable in the highly competitive legal job market. Additionally, working in ILT has provided me with opportunities to collaborate with different teams within the firm, gain valuable experience in client-facing roles, work alongside senior stakeholders and broaden my professional network.

Emily's Perspective

As an apprentice in the legal industry, I am well aware of the impact that innovation can have in driving change. In recent years, the legal industry has increasingly relied on legal technology to enhance client relationships, increase efficiency and streamline legal processes. With a desire to be at the forefront of this emerging field, I applied for a six-month secondment to the ILT team, with the goal of acquiring transferable skills that would accelerate my career and enable me to join the hundreds of legal professionals across the nation in embracing innovation.

Adopting legal technology has not been without its challenges. Understanding the intricacies of technology and coding has required perseverance, but I believe that this challenge reflects the nature of legal technology and the current market. Throughout my six months in the ILT team, I have challenged conventional boundaries to enhance my awareness and that of others about the benefits of technology in legal practice. I now have the tools to suggest alternative ways to improve transaction efficiency, automate documents and use tools to their full potential.

I have already seen the positive impacts in my work, from improving my confidence in legal terminology to assisting others with their queries and integrating legal technology into their practices. The benefits of legal technology are endless, yet adoption among legal professionals can sometimes be slow due to resistance to change. Being open to innovation is essential to keeping abreast of the latest trends and developments in the industry and understanding how they can improve legal practice. I am excited to continue using the skills and knowledge I have gained from ILT in future roles and am committed to embracing innovation and being part of driving change within the firm.

In conclusion, a seat or secondment in legal technology can be an invaluable experience for anyone looking to establish themselves in the legal industry. Through the ILT team, trainee solicitors, paralegals and legal apprentices can stay ahead of the curve in a niche area that is becoming increasingly important as technology continues to evolve. By embracing legal technology and innovation, they can advance their careers and help drive innovation within the firm.

If you wish to find out more about their experience, please feel free to reach out to Charlotte Hunter and Emily Taylor.

Alternatively, look at our Innovation and Legal Technology page on the website, where we have some blogs from others in the team and some case studies.

Nicole Tan is a Senior Manager at Addleshaw Goddard and oversees the secondments and Innovation & Legal Technology Graduate Scheme.