Reflections and countercurrent learning on legal innovation

Reflection and analysis of innovation in the legal sector, by Wilfredo Murillo, partner at Gericó Associates

What is the future of the legal sector? What obstacles will we find along the way? Is this sector innovative or is it synonymous with traditionalism? These and other questions are answered by our partner Wilfredo Murillo, in an article published in the March edition of Revista Industria Legal.

Legal sector, traditionalism or innovation?

Murillo begins by explaining that, in his opinion, the legal sector and the legal profession can only be synonymous with traditionalism when a comparison is made, with a broad vision, between this sector and others such as banking, technology or logistics.

He believes that it is an “error of perception when we compare ourselves only with the leading companies in these sectors, forgetting the reality of a large percentage of companies that belong to these industries. It is undeniable that the legal sector has a long way to go, just as there are many opportunities to be exploited”.

Over the last few years, many actors have come to the market suggesting new actions for firms, legal management or lawyers in general, but there are scenarios that must be experienced in order to know how to manage them.

“You cannot do everything that is suggested, because it is very different to manage a start-up in the legal sector than to lead teams of more than 30, 50 or 100 people, to have human capital that has been in an organization for more than 15 or 20 years or to be present in operations that set the tone for the economy of a country,” he adds.

“To earn the right to have an opinion and even more so the privilege of teaching”

According to Murillo, “because of the desire to democratize the teaching of law and innovative topics linked to this sector, we forget to demand what we should from those who have the privilege of giving a presentation or lecture.”

As an example, our expert tells an anecdote from his years as a postgraduate student, when to be a speaker you had to accredit several studies on the subject or develop great experience in this regard.

He compares this situation with the current situation, in which many legal specialists focus on making presentations on certain subjects but only provide superficiality, no one goes further or goes deeper into the subject.

Therefore, for him, “it is not superfluous to be patient and humble. It is better to gradually gain the right to give an opinion and, above all, the right to teach; this in the interest of continuing to improve the training of lawyers”.

Emotion cannot overcome observation and analysis

On many occasions, and even more so in recent years with the use of social networks, we rush to give our opinion on trends, when the best thing to do is to research, read, learn, experiment, observe and analyze.

Murillo advises not to get excited and seek to predict. “Sometimes, it is more convenient to observe, go deeper and apply. This will give us knowledge and experience to provide a more grounded vision,” he adds.

The new reality, the new normal, the new era

Murillo explains that “to know which customs, which ways of working or which practices driven by the pandemic will remain, we must wait until society chooses freely; that is, when our decisions, company policies or current regulations do not have an influential and conditioning factor (such as the pandemic)”. It will not be until a few years from now that we will see what is really left of this situation.

The metaverse and the new ways of connecting in society

In relation to this striking aspect, Murillo wonders: “Why succumb to a virtual reality if the world continues to surprise us? Why believe that the same culture is created in a lawyers’ organization through Zoom or other digital applications? When, really, the great connections are made with the close experiences we live as a team.” For him, the trust gained in a face-to-face meeting is not comparable to a virtual one.

To conclude, he draws the following conclusion on what will be the pace of this sector in the coming years: “the answer is, as of today, uncertain, as it will depend on many variables and also on ourselves“.