Legal tech brings law and technology together, creating opportunities for lawyers who want to apply their legal knowledge in a technology and innovation context. Moving from traditional legal practice into legal tech is a genuine career shift, but your legal background can be a valuable asset. Here is an honest, practical guide to switching from law to legal tech.
Quick answer
Switching from law to legal tech means moving from traditional legal practice into roles at the intersection of law and technology, such as positions at legal tech companies or in legal-tech-related work.
To make the move, start by understanding why you want to enter legal tech and what kind of role interests you. Your legal knowledge and understanding of legal work and problems provide a useful foundation. Build on that by developing an understanding of technology and legal tech, along with the skills required for your target role.
Seek relevant exposure and experience, connect with the legal tech community, explore available opportunities and position yourself well in your CV, applications and interviews. Because legal tech is an evolving field, it is important to understand the roles and opportunities currently available.
Your legal background is a genuine asset. The key is to combine it with relevant technology knowledge, practical exposure and the skills required for the work you want to do.
What does moving from law to legal tech mean?
Moving from law to legal tech means applying your legal background in a technology and innovation context. This may involve working at a legal tech company or pursuing another role related to the application of technology to legal work and problems.
The field brings together legal knowledge and an understanding of how technology can be applied to legal needs. Different roles may require different combinations of legal expertise, technology knowledge and other skills.
Understanding what legal tech involves, and which part of the field interests you, is the first step towards identifying a suitable career direction.
Leverage your legal background and build technology knowledge
Leverage your legal background
Your legal knowledge and understanding of legal work and problems are valuable starting points. You understand the challenges lawyers face and the nature of legal work, which can help you approach legal tech from the perspective of the people and organisations using it.
Rather than viewing your legal experience as something you need to leave behind, identify how it can contribute to the work you want to pursue. Your legal background is much of what you bring to the transition.
Build relevant knowledge and skills
Alongside your legal expertise, develop an understanding of technology and legal tech. Identify the skills required for the particular roles that interest you and work towards building them.
The objective is to bridge law and technology by combining your existing legal knowledge with a developing understanding of how technology applies to legal work and problems.
The right skills will depend on the role, so focus on what your intended direction requires rather than assuming that every legal tech position demands the same technical expertise.
Gain exposure, network and position yourself well
Gain relevant exposure and experience
Look for opportunities to engage with the legal tech world and gain relevant exposure. This may involve exploring legal-tech-related work, identifying opportunities that connect with your existing legal experience or seeking practical experience relevant to your target role.
Exposure can help you understand how legal knowledge is applied in a technology-focused setting and clarify which parts of the field suit your interests.
Network and explore the legal tech space
Connect with people working in legal tech and learn about the roles, companies and opportunities available. Engaging with the community can help you understand the nature of the work and the skills different roles require.
Legal tech is an evolving field, so explore current opportunities rather than relying on assumptions about what roles are available or what they involve.
Position yourself well
Your CV, applications and interviews should demonstrate your legal background, genuine interest in legal tech, developing understanding of the field and relevant skills.
Explain how your legal knowledge can contribute to the work you want to pursue, while also showing the effort you have made to understand technology and the requirements of your target role.
YLCC ACTION STEP: To switch from law to legal tech, be clear about why you want to make the move and which part of the field interests you. Leverage your legal knowledge and understanding of legal work, build relevant technology and legal tech knowledge, gain practical exposure, connect with the legal tech community and explore current opportunities. Position yourself by demonstrating your legal background, genuine interest and relevant skills.
If this is you
If you want to move into legal tech, start by identifying the kinds of roles that interest you. Build on your legal background, develop relevant technology knowledge, gain exposure and explore current opportunities in the field.
If you worry that you are not technical enough, remember that your legal background is an important part of what you bring. You can develop your understanding of technology and the skills required for your target role. The combination of legal knowledge and relevant technology understanding is central to making the transition.
If you are still exploring the field, connect with the legal tech community and learn about the roles, companies and opportunities currently available. Active exploration can help you understand where your interests and existing skills may fit.
FAQs
- How do I switch from law to legal tech? Be clear about why you want to make the move, identify the roles that interest you, leverage your legal background, develop relevant technology knowledge and skills, gain exposure, network and position yourself well.
- What does moving from law to legal tech involve? It means applying your legal knowledge in a technology and innovation context, such as through a role at a legal tech company or in other legal-tech-related work.
- Is my legal background an asset in legal tech? Yes. Your legal knowledge and understanding of legal work and problems provide a foundation for contributing to the legal tech field.
- Do I need to be highly technical to work in legal tech? The skills required depend on the role. You should develop an understanding of technology and legal tech and identify the specific skills needed for the opportunities you want to pursue.
- How do I find legal tech opportunities? Connect with the legal tech community, explore companies and roles, and investigate opportunities currently available. The field is evolving, so understanding the present landscape is an important part of your search.
