A tale of two law firms: how a global commercial practice supports a local not-for-profit service

In episode no. 88, my guest is Nicolas Patrick, Partner, Head of Responsible Business, DLA Piper. We cover:

• Nic’s views on the potential of technology;
• The reason for DLA Piper holding a forum on technology and access to justice in 2019;
• The problem with digitising existing processes;
• Why an international law firm without family law expertise, supports a Sydney based non-profit family law firm;
• The way Wallumatta Legal operates and how it runs an efficient practice;
• How pro bono provides insight into areas of unmet legal need; The different contributions that Macquarie University and DLA Piper bring to Wallumatta Legal;
• What technology is used for at Wallumatta Legal and the software it relies upon;
• Why Nic isn’t concerned about the digital divide in the context of
• Wallumatta Legal given all its services are delivered online;
• How Wallumatta Legal will improve access to justice across the sector;
• Why they recruit a ‘different kind of lawyer’ at Wallumatta Legal;
• The biggest challenge in the first six months of the firm’s operations;
• Plans for scaling and expansion of this model into other jurisdictions and areas of law;
• Why Nic thinks that there aren’t more low bono or alternative models servicing the needs of people at the lower end of the legal market;
• The potential for regulatory reform to facilitate technology use and other models to improve justice outcomes for marginalised people;
• The opportunity for firms to collaborate and establish a network of low bono and not-for-profit law firms; and
• Nic’s definition of legal innovation.

Proudly sponsored by Neota Logic!

Links:

• Wallumatta Legal
• Neota Logic Solution Gallery
• Neota Logic
• Churchill Trust Project
• Survey
• Future Ready Regional and Rural Legal Conference

Andrea Perry-Petersen – LinkedIn - Twitter @winkiepp – andreaperrypetersen.com.au

Twitter - @ReimaginingJ

Facebook – Reimagining Justice group