The legal industry is undergoing a significant shift. Traditional law firms, in-house legal teams, ALSPs, and legal tech companies—once operating largely in silos—are now being called to work together in more integrated, collaborative ways. Clients increasingly expect not only legal expertise but also commercial insight, innovation, and cost-effective solutions.

Driving much of this transformation is generative AI, which is rapidly reshaping how legal services are delivered and what skills are needed to succeed. As technology evolves, so too does the role of the human lawyer—bringing soft skills, strategic thinking, and adaptability to the forefront.

This session explores what the next five years may hold for the legal profession. We’ll discuss how the industry is changing, the opportunities emerging for students and professionals alike, and what it means to build a future-ready legal career in a tech-enabled world.

The legal market is evolving rapidly—shaped by technology, new service models, and a growing demand for strategic, cost-effective legal solutions. Traditional law firms, in-house legal teams, ALSPs, and legal tech companies are increasingly forming partnerships, reshaping how legal services are delivered across the globe.

This session takes a closer look at how these shifts are playing out in practice—both globally and in the South African context. With insights from professionals at HSBC, Lighthouse, and Herbert Smith Freehills, we’ll explore real-world examples of market evolution, from service delivery models to career opportunities.

For students and early-career professionals, this session offers valuable perspectives on where the legal industry is headed, the new types of roles emerging (from legal engineers to project managers), and how to position yourself in a changing job market.

Legal technology is no longer a future concept—it’s a powerful driver of change in today’s legal industry. From document automation and e-discovery to data analytics and AI-driven insights, tech is reshaping how legal work is done across law firms, in-house teams, and ALSPs.

This session will bring legal tech to life through demos and real-world case studies, showcasing how it’s used in practice to streamline processes, improve accuracy, and support faster decision-making—while still relying on human judgment and expertise. We’ll also explore the growing role of generative AI, the evolving legal services operating model, and why law firms and ALSPs alike are investing heavily in tech.

For aspiring legal professionals, this session offers insights into the skills and roles emerging in this space, and why careers in legal tech and ALSPs may offer exciting, future-focused opportunities.

Graduating from law school opens many doors—but the path isn’t always traditional. With the rise of NewLaw and ALSPs (Alternative Legal Service Providers), there are now a range of graduate programmes and career paths available beyond the conventional articles route.

In this session, we’ll explore which ALSPs offer graduate opportunities, what these programmes involve, and how students can prepare—whether through formal articles, vacation work, or short-term projects. It’s a practical discussion aimed at helping graduates understand the options available and how to confidently take their first steps into the evolving legal landscape.