In-House Counsel

Paralegals, Systemic Changes, And Contracts: Putting The 'Modern' In Modern Law

What is needed for law to survive and progress?

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modern law library libraries librarianAll industries must adapt, shift, and evolve to survive in the modern world. Law is no exception. I have spoken to three industry leaders about paralegals, systemic changes, and the evolution of contracts in light of modern law’s relationships and its future. Their takes on what is needed for law to survive and progress are both thought-provoking and inspiring.

The Importance Of Freelance Paralegals

There is no shortage of substantive legal tasks and administrative work for modern lawyers. That is precisely why freelance paralegals are such a vital asset in the legal field and why they are a partnership worth nurturing for those in the industry. This value is central to my conversation with Berlinda Bernard, an experienced paralegal and the owner and founder of Quintessential Pillar Paralegal Consulting, LLC.

 

She has seen firsthand how freelance paralegals help lawyers work smarter, saving them time and saving their clients money. This includes performing legal research, where a freelance paralegal can operate at a much lower cost than in-house employees. As the world further transitions to online offices and workspaces, virtual freelance paralegals have become indispensable to the modern lawyer, hired by contract or on an as-needed basis. As legal fees continue to rise and cases become more complex, freelance paralegals are no longer just a luxury; they are a necessity.

Systems Changes Imminent In Law

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J. Kim Wright has been a strong advocate for systemic change in the law for over two decades, with a focus on a set of values and models called Integrative Law. She was seen as a novelty — perhaps a bit weird — when the movement began. As the movement has become more mainstream, however, she has come to be seen as a legal rebel who believes the legal system requires a much-needed transformation. To her, the foundation of a better legal system is being built today.

In my conversation with Wright, she speaks about how all the signs of previous historical collapses are once again evident. The list is both fascinating and scary, including climate change, income inequality, social unrest, racism, sexism, and a pandemic. Unfortunately, systemic racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, and several other dysfunctional models reside at the core of the legal system. This even includes the roles of victim, offender, and judge (aka rescuer), all of which are based on a dysfunctional drama triangle model. J. Kim talks about how the old legal system is dying and about the emergence of a new legal system that offers conscious, humanistic, holistic, and flexible alternatives.

 

Contracts As Data, Not Documents

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Electra Japonais is the co-founder of oneNDA, the first peer-to-peer, legal community-led initiative to create a universally standardized, open-source NDA contract and is now also the founder and CEO of tlb. She talked with me about contracts in the legal community and the misunderstandings about them held by some modern-day lawyers. She has a passion for legal design and firmly believes in a better system than the current contract process. Her company has focused on the shift to subscription-based models offered by outside legal management services that are extensions of in-house legal teams.

It is exciting! Electra believes that the industry needs to see contracts as data and not documents and that there are problems to be addressed at the very basic industry level. Once addressed, a more fruitful relationship will emerge between the legal community and the evolution of documents as data.

 

After listening to these conversations, it is impossible not to see that the world of modern law must adapt if it wishes to keep up with the ever-changing world. Like every industry, those who remain stuck in old-fashioned ways of thinking or doing may find themselves left in the past.

Olga MackOlga V. Mack is the CEO of Parley Pro, a next-generation contract management company that has pioneered online negotiation technology. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She founded the Women Serve on Boards movement that advocates for women to participate on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat and Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security. You can follow Olga on Twitter @olgavmack.

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